Methods for reminding a user of a task associated with a communication

• US 8,929,871 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2010
• Issued: 01/06/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Original Assignee: General Motors LLC (General Motors Company)
• Inventors: Bradburn, Travis L.
• Primary Examiner(s): TORRES, MARCOS L
• Application Number:
  US12/953,064
• Publication Number:
  US 20120129510A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,505 Days
• Field of Search: 455/418, 455/415, 455/417, 455/458, 455/564, 455/567, 455/569.2, 455/412.2, 455/414.2, 379 8822- 8827
• US Class Current: 455/418
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1093 Calendar-based scheduling for persons or groups
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42127 Systems providing several special services or facilities from groups H04M3/42008 - H04M3/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42195 Arrangements for calling back a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy H04M3/48
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/424 Arrangements for automatic redialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27

Abstract

Methods for reminding a user of a task associated with a communication are disclosed herein. One example of the method involves reminding the user of a task associated with an incoming communication, and another example of the method involves reminding the user of a task associated with an outgoing communication.

Claims

1. A method for reminding a user of a task associated with an incoming communication, comprising:

creating the task by identifying the task and then linking the task with metadata for an other communications device;

upon creating the task, selecting a time frame for when the task is to be presented to the user, the time frame including a start date and an end date;

receiving a notice of the incoming communication at a mobile communications device, wherein the incoming communication is a voice call;

upon receiving the notice and while the incoming communication is in progress;

automatically retrieving, from a memory associated with the mobile communications device, the metadata for the other communications device from which the incoming communication was initiated, wherein the metadata includes caller identification, a name of a caller in possession of the other communications device from which the incoming communication was sent, or combinations thereof;

scanning a contact list stored in the memory for the metadata;

upon recognizing that the metadata is present in the contact list, reviewing the contact list for a task file storing information pertaining to the task, wherein the task is an activity with which the other user is associated;

comparing a date of the incoming communication with the time frame for when the task is to be presented to the user;

based on the comparing, determining that the date of the incoming communication is within the start date and the end date; and

upon recognizing that the task file is in the contact list and determining that the date of the incoming communication is within the start date and the end date, and prior to engaging in a conversation between the user of the mobile communications device and an other user of the other communications device, automatically presenting in a visual format or an audio format, to the user of the mobile communications device, the information pertaining to the task;

after the information pertaining to the task is automatically presented to the user;

placing the caller on hold while reviewing the information pertaining to the task; and

playing a message pre-recorded by the user for the caller; and

upon reviewing the information pertaining to the task, either accepting or declining the incoming communication.

2. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the creating of the task is accomplished via a remotely accessible page or an application resident on the mobile communications device.

3. The method as defined in claim 2 wherein the task is a birthday of the caller in possession of the other communications device, and wherein the start date of the time frame is at least one day before the birthday and the end date is at least one date after the birthday.

4. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein i) accepting the incoming communication includes establishing a voice connection with the other communications device, and ii) declining the incoming communication includes sending the voice call to a voice mailing system.

5. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein any of:

the task involves going to a store, and the information pertaining to the task includes specific details of what to purchase;

the task involves a meeting, and the information pertaining to the task includes specific details about the meeting;

or

the task involves a reminder about a contact'"'"'s birthday, and the information pertaining to the task includes a name of the contact and a birthdate of the contact.

6. The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the creating of the task further comprises preparing a hold message to be played while reviewing the information pertaining to the task by recording a voice message using a recording device of the mobile communications device.

7. A task reminder system, comprising:

a remotely accessible page or an application resident on a mobile communications device for creating a task by identifying the task, linking the task with metadata for an other communications device, and selecting a time frame for when the task is to be presented to the user, the time frame including a start date and an end date;

the mobile communications device configured to i) receive an incoming communication from the other communications device, wherein the incoming communication is an incoming voice call, and ii) initiate an outgoing communication to the other communications device, the mobile communications device including;

an electronic memory operatively disposed in the mobile communications device, the electronic memory being configured to store at least one contact in a contact list, wherein the at least one contact includes i) the metadata for the other communications device, wherein the metadata includes caller identification, a name of a caller when the other communications device initiates the incoming communication, a name of a receiving party when the other communications device receives the outgoing communication, or combinations thereof, ii) the task linked with the metadata, wherein the task is an activity with which the other user is associated, and iii) information pertaining to the task;

a processor for retrieving the metadata;

scanning the contact list for the retrieved metadata;

reviewing the contact list for a task file storing the information pertaining to the task upon recognizing that the metadata is present in the contact list;

retrieving the information pertaining to the task;

comparing a date of the incoming communication with the time frame for when the task is to be presented to the user; and

based on the comparing, determining whether the date of the incoming communication is within the start date and the end date, the processor to initiate the steps upon the receipt of the incoming communication and perform the steps while the incoming communication is in progress;

means for automatically presenting, to a user of the mobile communications device, the information pertaining to the task linked with the metadata while the incoming communication is being received and prior to engaging in a conversation between a user of the mobile communications device and an other user of the other communications device;

means for placing the caller of the incoming voice call on hold while reviewing the task;

means for playing a message that is pre-recorded by the user, while the caller is on hold; and

means for allowing the user to accept or decline the incoming communication; and

the other communications device configured to initiate the incoming communication directed to the mobile communications device.

8. The system as defined in claim 7, further comprising:

means for downloading the task from the remotely accessible page into the contact list stored on the mobile communications device.

9. The system as defined in claim 7 wherein the contact list includes a plurality of contacts, each including a respective task, and wherein the mobile communications device further includes means for setting at least one preference pertaining to the automatic presentation of the respective task to the user, the at least one preference including automatically presenting the respective task for one or more selected contacts attempting to connect with the mobile communications device, and not automatically presenting the respective task for one or more other selected contacts attempting to connect with the mobile communications device.

10. The system as defined in claim 7 wherein the contact includes a plurality of tasks, and wherein the mobile communications device further includes means for setting a preference pertaining to the automatic presentation of a flagged task from the plurality of tasks to the user.

11. The system as defined in claim 7 wherein the mobile communications device is a telematics unit, a smart phone, a computer including software enabling the user to initiate or receive voice calls over the Internet, or combinations thereof.