Adaptable communication techniques for electronic devices

• US 7,890,128 B1
• Filed: 03/07/2008
• Issued: 02/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Thomas, C. Douglass, Tong, Peter P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Afshar, Kamran
• Application Number:
  US12/074,961
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 455/466, 455/414.4, 455/417, 455/412.1, 455/550.1, 455/566, 455/556.1, 455/569.1, 455/518, 37942001-42004, 379/211.01, 379/207.02, 379/220.01, 379/88.22, 704/246, 704/235
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72484 wherein functions are triggered by incoming communication events
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2011 Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/651 Text message transmission triggered by call
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

Improved approaches for users of electronic devices to communicate with one another are disclosed. The electronic devices have audio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textual messages.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating text messaging for a first user of a mobile electronic device having wireless communication capability, the mobile electronic device having a head-set operatively connected thereto, said method comprising:

receiving, at the mobile electronic device, an incoming text message from a second user;

converting the incoming text message to an incoming audio message;

playing the incoming audio message for the first user via the head-set;

recording a reply audio message by the first user via the head-set;

converting the reply audio message into a reply text message; and

transmitting the reply text message to the second user,

wherein the incoming text message is received over a wireless network, and wherein the reply text message is transmitted over the wireless network.

2. A method as recited in claim 1,

wherein said method further comprises:

determining whether the head-set is active, and

wherein said converting is automatically invoked to convert the incoming text message to audio if said determining determines that the head-set is active.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

prompting the first user to provide the reply audio message prior to said recording the reply audio message.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises:

limiting the reply audio message during said recording and/or said converting of the reply audio message so that the resulting reply text message does not exceed a maximum text message size.

5. A method for facilitating messaging for a first user of a portable communication device, said method comprising:

receiving an incoming voice call from a second user;

presenting the first user with a plurality of predetermined messages;

detecting a selection of one of the predetermined messages by the first user; and

causing delivery of the selected predetermined message to the second user in response to the incoming voice call if said detecting detects the selection of one of the predetermined messages.

6. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the selected predetermined message is caused to be delivered as a text message.

7. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein the selected predetermined message is caused to be delivered as an audio message.

8. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein said method further comprises:

recording a custom audio response; and

causing delivery of the recorded custom audio message to the second user in response to the incoming voice call if said recording records the custom audio response.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein the recorded custom audio message is limited to not exceed a predetermined time duration.

10. A method as recited in claim 8, wherein said causing of the delivery of the recorded custom audio message comprises:

converting the recorded custom audio response into a text message; and

causing delivery of the text message to the second user in response to the incoming voice call if said recording records the custom audio response.

11. A method as recited in claim 5, wherein said method further comprises:

receiving a custom text message; and

causing delivery of the recorded custom text message to the second user in response to the incoming voice call if said receiving receives the custom text message.

12. A computer-implemented method for facilitating text messaging for a first user of a computing device, the computing device having a processor an memory, said method comprising:

receiving an incoming text message from a second user;

determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner;

converting the incoming text message to an incoming audio message if said determining determines that the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner; and

playing, at the computing device, the incoming audio message for the first user.

13. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 12, wherein said determining is based on a preference set by the first user.

14. A computer-Implemented method as recited in claim 12, wherein a head-set is operatively connected to the computing device, and

wherein said determining comprises determining whether the head-set is active.

15. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 12, wherein said converting of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message depends on at least one user-selected speech characteristic.

16. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic is set based on a user preference set by the first user.

17. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 15, wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic pertains to at least one of a voice, tone, pace, accent or mood for use in producing the incoming audio message.

18. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 12, wherein said playing of the incoming audio message depends on at least one user-selected speech characteristic.

19. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 12, wherein the incoming text message includes or references a speech characteristic for use by said converting of the incoming text message to an incoming audio message or for use by said playing of the incoming audio message.

20. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 12, wherein the computing device is a personal, mobile computing device.

21. A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 12,

wherein the computing device is operational as a wireless communication device, and

wherein the incoming text message is part of a series of text messages being wirelessly exchanged between the first user and the second user.

22. A mobile communication device that supports messaging for a first user, said mobile communication device configured to receive an incoming text message from a second user via a wireless network, determine whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio or text manner, convert the incoming text message to an incoming audio message when it is determined that the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner, and play the incoming audio message for the first user.

23. A mobile communication device as recited in claim 22, wherein when a wireless headset is connected to said mobile communication device, said mobile communication device determines that the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner, and said mobile communication device plays the incoming audio message for the first user via the wireless headset.