Methods and apparatus for line selection in a communication device

• US 8,818,383 B2
• Filed: 07/24/2012
• Issued: 08/26/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Yach, David Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Lai, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US13/556,373
• Publication Number:
  US 20120289260A1
• Time in Patent Office: 763 Days
• Field of Search: 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 455/556.1, 455/556.2, 455/445, 455/426.1, 455/464, 455/466, 379/156, 379/93.07, 379/930.09, 379/93.24
• US Class Current: 455/445
• 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 1/2747 Scrolling on a display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72469 for operating the device by selecting functions from two or more displayed items, e.g. menus or icons
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72472 wherein the items are sorted according to specific criteria, e.g. frequency of use
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/733 with a plurality of base stations connected to a plurality of lines for selection in cordless PBX H04W84/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/66 user interface aspects for indicating selection options for a communication line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/00 Communication routing or communication path finding

Abstract

Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In one broad aspect, a determination of which of the communication lines is a communication line associated with the one of two or more message addresses at which a message is received is made in the selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed.

Claims

1. A method of initiating a voice communication to a target recipient on a mobile device, the mobile device being configured to receive text messages at a text message address, the method comprising:

associating a communication line of a plurality of communication lines of the mobile device with the text message address;

receiving a text message at the text message address, the text message including the target recipient;

detecting initiation of the voice communication to the target recipient; and

initiating the voice communication to the target recipient using the communication line associated with the text message address.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the target recipient comprises at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein detecting initiation of the voice communication to the target recipient comprises:

detecting selection of the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number associated with the target recipient in the text message in a user interface of the mobile device.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

highlighting the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number associated with the target recipient in the text message as a user-selectable link in the user interface.

5. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

associating the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number with at least one of a target recipient name, a target recipient phone number and a target recipient text message address in an address book.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive text messages at a plurality of text message addresses and wherein a particular text message address of the plurality of text message addresses is associated with a one of the plurality of the communication lines.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the target recipient is an addressee of the text message.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the associating a communication line of a plurality of communication lines of the mobile device with the text message address comprises receiving user input for the association.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the text message comprises one of an email message, an instant message and a SMS message.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein each communication line in the plurality of communication lines is associated with a corresponding phone number.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the voice communication comprises a telephone call.

12. A method for a mobile device of initiating a voice communication to a target recipient, the method comprising:

receiving a text message at a one of a work message address and a non-work message address, the text message including the target recipient;

detecting initiation of the voice communication to the target recipient; and

initiating the voice communication to the target recipient using one of a work communication line if the text message is received at the work message address, and a non-work communication line if the text message is received at the non-work message address.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the target recipient comprises at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein detecting initiation of the voice communication to the target recipient comprises:

detecting selection of the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number associated with the target recipient in the text message in a user interface of the mobile device.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

highlighting the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number associated with the target recipient in the text message as a user-selectable link in the user interface.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

associating the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number with at least one of a target recipient name, a target recipient phone number and a target recipient text message address in an address book.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the target recipient is an addressee of the text message.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the text message comprises one of an email message, an instant message and a SMS message.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein each communication line in the plurality of communication lines is associated with a corresponding phone number.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the voice communication comprises a telephone call.

21. A mobile device configured to initiate a voice communication to a target recipient, and to receive a text message at a text message address, the mobile device comprising:

a processor;

a communication module;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions being adapted to;

associate a communication line of a plurality of communication lines of the mobile device with the text message address;

receive a text message at the text message address, the text message including the target recipient;

detect initiation of the voice communication to the target recipient; and

initiate the voice communication to the target recipient using the communication line associated with the text message address.

22. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the target recipient comprises at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number.

23. The mobile device of claim 22, wherein the instructions are further adapted to:

detect selection of the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number associated with the target recipient in the text message in a user interface of the mobile device.

24. The mobile device of claim 23, wherein the instructions are further adapted to:

highlight the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number associated with the target recipient in the text message as a user-selectable link in the user interface.

25. The mobile device of claim 22, wherein the instructions are further adapted to:

associate the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number with at least one of a target recipient name, a target recipient phone number and a target recipient text message address in an address book.

26. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the mobile device is configured to receive text messages at a plurality of text message addresses and wherein a particular text message address of the plurality of text message addresses is associated with a one of the plurality of the communication lines.

27. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the target recipient is an addressee of the text message.

28. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the instructions are further adapted to:

receive user input for the association of a communication line of a plurality of communication lines of the mobile device with the text message address comprises.

29. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the text message comprises one of an email message, an instant message and a SMS message.

30. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein each communication line in the plurality of communication lines is associated with a corresponding phone number.

31. The mobile device of claim 21, wherein the voice communication comprises a telephone call.

32. A mobile device configured to initiate a voice communication to a target recipient, the mobile device comprising:

a processor;

a communication module;

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions executable by the processor, the instructions being adapted to;

receive a text message at a one of a work message address and a non-work message address, the text message including the target recipient;

detect initiation of the voice communication to the target recipient; and

initiate the voice communication to the target recipient using one of a work communication line if the text message is received at the work message address, and a non-work communication line if the text message is received at the non-work message address.

33. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein the target recipient comprises at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number.

34. The mobile device of claim 33, wherein the instructions are further adapted to:

detect selection of the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number associated with the target recipient in the text message in a user interface of the mobile device.

35. The mobile device of claim 34, wherein the instructions are further adapted to:

highlight the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number associated with the target recipient in the text message as a user-selectable link in the user interface.

36. The mobile device of claim 33, wherein the instructions are further adapted to:

associate the at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number with at least one of a target recipient name, a target recipient phone number and a target recipient text message address in an address book.

37. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein the target recipient is an addressee of the text message.

38. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein the text message comprises one of an email message, an instant message and a SMS message.

39. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein each communication line in the plurality of communication lines is associated with a corresponding phone number.

40. The mobile device of claim 32, wherein the voice communication comprises a telephone call.