Adaptable communication techniques for electronic devices

• US 8,737,978 B1
• Filed: 08/23/2012
• Issued: 05/27/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Original Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
• Inventors: Tong, Peter P., Thomas, C. Douglass
• Primary Examiner(s): Kincaid, Lester
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAM, DUNG LE
• Application Number:
  US13/593,483
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 455/413, 455/466, 455/414.1, 455/415, 455/417
• US Class Current: 455/415
• 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 mobile electronic device configured to support wireless communication, including messaging, for a first user, said mobile electronic device comprising:

a data storage device for storing at least computer program code; and

hardware for performing at least a portion of the computer program code,

wherein the computer program code includes at least;

computer program code for detecting an incoming voice call for the first user, the incoming voice call being associated with a second user;

computer program code for presenting, via said mobile electronic device, a notification of the incoming voice call for the first user, the presenting being automatic in response to the detection of the incoming voice call by the computer program code for detecting;

computer program code for receiving a call response selection in response to the notification of the incoming voice call that is presented via said mobile electronic device, the call response selection indicating at least whether the incoming voice call is to be replied to by a text message;

computer program code for causing the incoming voice call to be dropped in response to the received call response selection indicating that the incoming voice call is to be replied to by a text message;

computer program code for automatically presenting, via said mobile electronic device, an indication of each of a plurality of predetermined text messages available for selection by the first user, the automatically presenting being automatic in response to the received call response selection indicating that the incoming voice call is to be replied to by a text message;

computer program code for detecting a selection of at least one of the predetermined text messages, the selection serving to identify a predetermined text message; and

computer program code for initiating delivery of the predetermined text message to the second user in response to the incoming voice call provided that the computer code for detecting the selection detects the selection of one of the predetermined text messages.

2. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said mobile electronic device has a display associated therewith, and

wherein the computer program code for automatically presenting an indication of each of the plurality of predetermined text messages operates to display the indication of each of the plurality of text messages on the display.

3. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the computer program code includes at least:

computer program code for receiving a custom text message from the first user.

4. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 3, wherein the computer program code includes at least:

computer program code for causing delivery of the custom text message to the second user in response to the incoming voice call.

5. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein the call response selection selects between a first option wherein the incoming voice call is to be answered, and a second option where the incoming call is to be replied to by a text message.

6. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said mobile electronic device is a mobile telephone.

7. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 1, wherein said mobile electronic device is capable of wirelessly communicating with a wireless headset, and

wherein the computer program code includes at least:

computer program code for receiving an incoming text message for the first user, the incoming text message being associated with another user;

computer program code for converting the incoming text message to an incoming audio message;

computer program code for presenting the incoming audio message for the first user via the wireless headset;

computer program code for recording a reply audio message from the first user via the wireless headset;

computer program code for converting the reply audio message into a reply text message; and

computer program code for transmitting the reply text message to the another user.

8. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7,

wherein the computer program code includes at least:

computer program code for determining whether the wireless headset is active, and

wherein the computer program code for converting the incoming text message is automatically invoked to convert the incoming text message to the incoming audio message if the computer program code for determining determines that the wireless headset is active.

9. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7, wherein the computer program code includes at least:

computer program code for prompting the first user to provide the reply audio message prior to recording of the reply audio message by the computer program code for recording.

10. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7, wherein the computer program code includes at least:

computer program code for limiting the reply audio message so as to not exceed a predetermined message size.

11. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7,

wherein the computer program code includes at least:

computer program code for determining whether the wireless headset is active, and

wherein the computer program code for converting of the incoming text message is automatically invoked to convert the incoming text message to the incoming audio message if the computer program code for determining determines that the wireless headset is active.

12. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7,

wherein the computer program code includes at least:

computer program code for determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner, and

wherein the computer program code for converting of the incoming text message is invoked to convert the incoming text message to the incoming audio message if the computer program code for determining determines that the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner.

13. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 12, wherein the computer program code includes at least:

computer program code for prompting the first user to provide the reply audio message prior to recording of the reply audio message by the computer program code for recording.

14. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 12, wherein the computer program code for determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner is based on at least a preference setting that is able to be set by the first user.

15. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 12, wherein the computer program code for determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner is based on at least a user indication.

16. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 12, wherein computer program code for determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner is based on at least a determination of whether the wireless headset is active.

17. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7, wherein the computer program code for converting the incoming text message to the incoming audio message depends on at least one user-selected speech characteristic.

18. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic is set based on at least one user preference that is able to be set by the first user.

19. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic is set based on at least one user setting provided at the mobile communication device.

20. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 17, wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic pertains to at least a voice for use in producing the incoming audio message.

21. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 17, wherein the computer program code for presenting the incoming audio message comprises computer program code for playing the incoming audio message, with the playing of the incoming audio message being dependent on the at least one user-selected speech characteristic.

22. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7, wherein the incoming text message is a SMS message, and wherein the reply text message is a SMS message.

23. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7, wherein the computer program code for converting of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message comprises:

computer program code for translating at least a portion of the incoming text message from a condensed format to an uncondensed text format; and

computer program code for converting at least the portion of the incoming text message in the uncondensed text format to at least a portion of the incoming audio message.

24. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 23, wherein the computer program code for converting of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message depends on at least one user-selected speech characteristic.

25. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 24, wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic is set based on at least one user setting provided at the mobile electronic device.

26. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the incoming text message is in a chat language, and wherein the computer program code for converting of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message comprises computer program code for expanding at least one term in the incoming text message that is in the chat language to a plurality of words in a non-chat language.

27. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 26, wherein said mobile electronic device is a mobile telephone.

28. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7, wherein the computer program code includes at least:

computer program code for presenting a plurality of predetermined reply messages to the first user;

computer program code for receiving a user selection of one of the plurality of predetermined reply messages; and

computer program code for initiating delivery of the selected one of the plurality of predetermined reply messages to the another user as a response to the incoming text message.

29. A mobile electronic device as recited in claim 7,

wherein the conversion of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message depends on at least one user-selected speech characteristic,

wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic is set based on at least one user preference that is able to be set by the first user,

wherein the presentation of the incoming audio message operates to at least play the incoming audio message in a manner dependent on the at least one user-selected speech characteristic,

wherein at least a portion of the incoming text message is in a chat language, and wherein the computer program code for converting the incoming text message to the incoming audio message comprises computer program code for expanding the portion of the incoming text message that is in the chat language to a plurality of words,

wherein the computer program code also includes computer program code for determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner,

wherein the computer program code for converting the incoming text message to the incoming audio message converts the incoming text message to the incoming audio message if the computer program code for determining determines that the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner,

wherein the determination of whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner is based on at least a determination of whether the wireless headset is active, and

wherein the incoming text message is a SMS message, and wherein the reply text message is a SMS message.

30. A method for facilitating communication amongst users of mobile electronic devices configured to support wireless communication, including messaging, the method comprising:

detecting an incoming voice call for a first user, the incoming voice call being associated with a second user;

presenting, at a mobile electronic device, a notification of the incoming voice call for the first user, the presenting being automatic in response to the detecting of the incoming voice call;

detecting a call response selection in response to the notification of the incoming voice call that is presented at the mobile electronic device, the call response selection indicating at least whether the incoming voice call is to be replied to by a text message;

initiating dropping the incoming voice call after the detecting of the call response selection detects that the incoming voice call is to be replied to by a text message;

automatically presenting, at the mobile electronic device, an indication of each of a plurality of predetermined text messages available for selection by the first user, the automatically presenting being automatic in response to the detection that the call response selection indicates that the incoming voice call is to be replied to by a text message;

detecting, at the mobile electronic device, a selection of at least one of the predetermined text messages, the selection serving to identify a predetermined text message; and

initiating delivery of the predetermined text message to the second user in response to the incoming voice call provided that the detecting the selection detects the selection of one of the predetermined text messages.

31. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein the call response selection selects between a first option wherein the incoming voice call is to be answered, and a second option where the incoming call is to be replied to by a text message.

32. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein the method comprises:

receiving a custom text message from the first user.

33. A method as recited in claim 32, wherein the method comprises:

causing delivery of the custom text message to the second user in response to the incoming voice call.

34. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein the mobile electronic device is capable of wirelessly communicating with a wireless headset, and

wherein the method comprises:

receiving an incoming text message for the first user, the incoming text message being associated with another user;

converting the incoming text message to an incoming audio message;

presenting the incoming audio message for the first user via the wireless headset;

recording a reply audio message from the first user via the wireless headset;

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

transmitting the reply text message to the another user.

35. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the mobile electronic device is a mobile telephone.

36. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the method comprises:

determining whether the wireless headset is active, and

wherein the converting the incoming text message is automatically invoked to convert the incoming text message to the incoming audio message if the determining determines that the wireless headset is active.

37. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the method comprises:

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

38. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the method comprises:

limiting the reply audio message so as to not exceed a predetermined message size.

39. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the method comprises:

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

wherein the converting of the incoming text message is invoked to convert the incoming text message to the incoming audio message if the determining determines that the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner.

40. A method as recited in claim 39, wherein the method comprises:

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

41. A method as recited in claim 39, wherein the determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner is based on at least a preference setting that is able to be set by the first user.

42. A method as recited in claim 39, wherein the determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner is based on at least a user indication.

43. A method as recited in claim 39, wherein determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner is based on at least a determination of whether the wireless headset is active.

44. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the converting the incoming text message to the incoming audio message depends on at least one user-selected speech characteristic.

45. A method as recited in claim 44, wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic is user selectable,

wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic pertains to at least a voice for use in producing the incoming audio message, and

wherein the presenting the incoming audio message comprises playing the incoming audio message, with the playing of the incoming audio message being dependent on the at least one user-selected speech characteristic.

46. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the incoming text message is a SMS message, and wherein the reply text message is a SMS message.

47. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the converting of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message comprises:

translating at least a portion of the incoming text message from a condensed format to an uncondensed text format; and

converting at least the portion of the incoming text message in the uncondensed text format to at least a portion of the incoming audio message.

48. A method as recited in claim 47, wherein the converting of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message depends on at least one user-selected speech characteristic.

49. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein at least a portion of the incoming text message is in a chat language, and wherein the converting of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message comprises expanding at least one term in the incoming text message that is in the chat language to a plurality of words in a non-chat language.

50. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the method comprises:

presenting a plurality of predetermined reply messages to the first user;

receiving a user selection of one of the plurality of predetermined reply messages; and

initiating delivery of the selected one of the plurality of predetermined reply messages to the another user as a response to the incoming text message.

51. A method as recited in claim 34, wherein the mobile electronic device is a mobile telephone,

wherein the conversion of the incoming text message to the incoming audio message depends on at least one user-selected speech characteristic,

wherein the at least one user-selected speech characteristic is set based on at least one user preference that is able to be set by the first user,

wherein the presentation of the incoming audio message operates to at least play the incoming audio message in a manner dependent on the at least one user-selected speech characteristic,

wherein at least a portion of the incoming text message is in a chat language, and wherein the converting the incoming text message to the incoming audio message comprises expanding the portion of the incoming text message that is in the chat language to a plurality of words,

wherein the method also includes determining whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner,

wherein the converting the incoming text message to the incoming audio message converts the incoming text message to the incoming audio message if the determining determines that the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner,

wherein the determination of whether the incoming text message should be presented to the first user in an audio manner is based on at least a determination of whether the wireless headset is active, and

wherein the incoming text message is a SMS message, and wherein the reply text message is a SMS message.