One button access to network services from a remote control device

• US 8,594,728 B2
• Filed: 11/29/2012
• Issued: 11/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 07/07/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Holmes, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHUONG, DAI
• Application Number:
  US13/689,747
• Publication Number:
  US 20130090092A1
• Time in Patent Office: 362 Days
• Field of Search: 455/415, 455418-4221, 4555561-557
• US Class Current: 455/556.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42204 Arrangements at the exchange for service or number selection by voice at the terminal H04M1/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/06 Authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

Systems and methods of accessing a network-based communication service provide for generating a dialing request at a remote control device based on user input. A dialing signal is transmitted toward a mobile communication device based on the request, where the dialing signal instructs the mobile communication device to access the network-based communication service. Communication services can enable a user to use information retrieval at a network server as well as use number dialing at the network server. In one example, the dialing signal is transmitted according to a Bluetooth standard.

Claims

1. A mobile communication device, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor;

wherein responsive to executing instructions in the memory, the processor performs operations comprising;

receiving a dialing request from a remote control device, the dialing request comprising a telephone number associated with a network-based communication service and a program call, wherein the program call activates a dialing program on the memory for dialing the network-based communication service,

in response to the program call, performing an update check of the telephone number, wherein the update check includes retrieving an updated telephone number using a pre-existing security feature, and

if the update check returns the updated telephone number, using the updated telephone number for accessing the network-based communication service.

2. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the operations further comprise storing the updated telephone number.

3. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the dialing request is initiated by a user manipulation of an access button of the remote control device.

4. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the network-based communication service is a voice-based information retrieval service.

5. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the network-based communication service includes a voice dialing service, the voice dialing service receiving a voice input comprising a number to be dialed.

6. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein the network-based communication service is an automated communication service that does not require voice commands.

7. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein receiving the dialing request occurs over a wireless connection with the remote control device.

8. The mobile communication device of claim 7, wherein the wireless connection is a radio frequency connection.

9. The mobile communication device of claim 7, wherein the wireless connection uses a BLUETOOTH protocol.

10. The mobile communication device of claim 7, wherein the wireless connection is an infrared connection.

11. The mobile communication device of claim 1, wherein receiving the dialing request occurs over a wired connection with the remote control device.

12. A non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium including computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving, at a mobile communication device, a dialing request from a remote control device, the dialing request comprising a telephone number associated with a network-based communication service and a program call, wherein the program call activates a dialing program on the mobile communication device for dialing the network-based communication service,

in response to receiving the dialing request, performing an update check of the telephone number, the update check retrieving an updated telephone number for the network-based communication service using a pre-existing security feature of the mobile communication device, and

if the update check returns the updated telephone number, using the updated telephone number for accessing the network-based communication service.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the operations include storing the updated telephone number.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the operations include storing the updated telephone number prior to receiving a dialing signal from the remote control device.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the operations include storing the updated telephone number on the remote control device.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the storing of the updated telephone number is initiated by the network-based communication service.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the operations include verifying an authorization to store the updated telephone number before storing the updated telephone number.

18. A server, comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory including instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

receiving a pull operation including an update check request from a mobile communication device, the update check request requesting an updated telephone number for a network-based communication service and using a pre-existing security feature of the mobile communication device, the pull operation being triggered by the mobile communication device receiving a dialing request from a remote control device, the dialing request including a program call for activating a dialing program on the mobile communication device for dialing the network-based communication service,

determining that the updated telephone number exists for the network-based communication service, and

transmitting the updated telephone number to the mobile communication device,

wherein the mobile communication device uses the updated telephone number for accessing the network-based communication service.

19. The server of claim 18, wherein the mobile communication device is a personal digital assistant.

20. The server of claim 18, wherein the mobile communication device and the remote control device are mounted within a vehicle.