Methods and apparatus for line selection in a communication device

• US 9,232,455 B2
• Filed: 05/27/2014
• Issued: 01/05/2016
• 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:
  US14/287,539
• Publication Number:
  US 20140274072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a mobile device configured to receive text messages at a text message address, configure the processor to perform acts of a method of initiating a voice communication to a target recipient, 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 an identification of 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 non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the identification of the target recipient comprises at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 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 non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 3, wherein the method further comprises:

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 non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 2, wherein the method further comprises:

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 non-transitory computer-readable medium 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 communication lines.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the target recipient is an addressee of the text message.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 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 identifying an association.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the text message comprises one of an email message, an instant message, and a SMS message.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein each communication line of the plurality of communication lines is associated with a corresponding phone number.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 1, wherein the voice communication comprises a telephone call.

12. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising computer-readable instructions that, when executed by a processor of a mobile device, configure the processor to perform acts of a method of initiating a voice communication to a target recipient, the method comprising:

receiving a text message at one of a work message address and a non-work message address, the text message including an identification of 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 non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the identification of the target recipient comprises at least one of a target name, a target text message address, and a target phone number.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 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 non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the method further comprises:

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 non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises:

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 non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the target recipient is an addressee of the text message.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the text message comprises one of an email message, an instant message, and a SMS message.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein each of the work communication line and the non-work communication line is associated with a corresponding phone number.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the voice communication comprises a telephone call.