Intelligent communication line selection supporting rich context of input factors

• US 9,439,063 B2
• Filed: 09/03/2015
• Issued: 09/06/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Howard, Gregory, Chory, Susan, He, Tony
• Primary Examiner(s): MIZRAHI, DIANE D
• Application Number:
  US14/845,068
• Publication Number:
  US 20150382179A1
• Time in Patent Office: 369 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/22 comprising specially adapted graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4594 Address books, i.e. directories containing contact information about correspondents telephone directories in user terminals H04M1/27453
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0853 using an additional device, e.g. smartcard, SIM or a different communication terminal cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving additional secure or trusted devices H04L9/3234
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/50 Service provisioning or reconfiguring
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/183 Processing at user equipment or user record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

Various user interfaces and other technologies for interacting with devices that support multiple communication lines can be implemented. For example, intelligent handling of communication line selection can help users deal with multiple communication line scenarios. A user interface for overriding communication line selection can be supported. Users can interact with their devices more efficiently and with less frustration. A wide variety of use default communication line scenarios are supported. Communication lines can be selected based on any of a rich set of input factors.

Claims

1. A method implemented at least in part by a computing system, the method comprising:

selecting a first default communication line;

displaying a user interface depicting a plurality of contact points for a contact and an activatable user interface element initiating communications with a particular contact point for the contact;

receiving an activation of the user interface element;

responsive to activation of the user interface element, initiating communications with the particular contact point via the first default communication line; and

for another of the contact points of the contact, presenting a second, different communication line as a default.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the first default communication line is provided via a first non-subscriber identity module communication service; and

the second default communication line is provided via a second non-subscriber identity module communication service different from the first default communication line.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the first default communication line is a first communication line selected from a subscriber identity module line and a non-subscriber identity module line; and

the second default communication line is the other of the subscriber identity module line or the non-subscriber identity module line.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein:

selecting the first default communication line comprises selecting a communication line most recently used for the contact.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising:

propagating the first default communication line to a different contact point for the contact.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein:

selecting the first default communication line comprises selecting a communication line involving communication activity with the particular contact point.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein:

selecting the first default communication line comprises selecting a communication line on which an incoming message was received from the particular contact point.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein:

selecting the first default communication line comprises selecting a communication line based on a source account from which the contact originated.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

determining that communication activity with other contacts originating from the source account is predominantly conducted with a particular communication line;

wherein selecting the first default communication line comprises selecting the particular communication line responsive to the determining.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining that communications in a particular time period are conducted on a given communication line; and

selecting the first default communication line comprises selecting the given communication line.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining that a last name of the contact matches that of a device user;

wherein selecting the first default communication line comprises, responsive to determining that the last name of the contact matches that of the device user, selecting a communication line associated with personal activity.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the user interface comprises a label of the first default communication line proximate information for the contact.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein:

the label of the first default communication line is displayed as part of a communication line indicator-switcher user interface element collection.

14. The method of claim 13 further comprising:

receiving an indication to override the first default communication line via a user interface element in the collection.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

overriding the selected first default communication line based on signal strength associated with the first default communication line.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

overriding the selected first default communication line based on content of a message associated with the contact or particular contact point.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

overriding the selected first default communication line based on do not disturb functionality.

18. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

overriding the selected first default communication line based on billing arrangements.

19. A mobile device comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory coupled to the one or more processors, wherein the memory stores computer-executable instructions causing the mobile device to perform a method comprising;

selecting between a subscriber identity module (SIM) line and a non-subscriber identity module (SIM) line as a default line;

displaying a user interface depicting a plurality of contact points for a contact and an activatable user interface element activatable to initiate communications with a particular contact point for the contact;

receiving an activation of the user interface element;

responsive to activation of the user interface element, initiating communications with the particular contact point via the selected default line; and

for another of the contact points of the contact, presenting a different subscriber identity module (SIM) line or a non-subscriber identity module (SIM) line as a default line.

20. One or more computer-readable storage media comprising computer-executable instructions causing a computing system to perform a method of selecting a default communication line for a contact point associated with a contact, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of input factors comprising a source of the contact point;

selecting a default communication line for the contact point based on the source of the contact point, wherein the selecting further supports factors comprising a communication line with which the contact point is registered, a communication line from which the contact point was imported, and a communication line most recently involved in communications activity with the contact point; and

subsequently overriding the default communication line selected for the contact point, wherein the overriding supports factors comprising explicit selection received from a user interface and signal strength.