Voicemail Manager for Portable Multifunction Device

• US 20080055264A1
• Filed: 06/28/2007
• Published: 03/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Chaudhri, Imran, Christie, Greg, Lemay, Stephen O., Forstall, Scott, Anzures, Freddy Allen, Jobs, Steven P., Coffman, Patrick Lee, Furches, Elizabeth Caroline, Novick, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 7,996,792 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/173
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/017 Gesture based interaction, e.g. based on a set of recognized hand gestures interaction based on gestures traced on a digitiser G06F3/04883
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0485 Scrolling or panning
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 27/34 Indicating arrangements indicating means incorporated in magazine or cassette G11B23/046 and G11B23/0875; indicating measured values in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/256 comprising a service specific user interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for management of voicemail messages, performed at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, includes: displaying a list of voicemail messages; detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list; responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message; displaying a progress bar for the user-selected voicemail message, wherein the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played; detecting movement of a finger of the user from a first position on the progress bar to a second position on the progress bar; and responding to the detection of the finger movement by restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the second position on the progress bar.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display,

displaying a list of voicemail messages;

detecting a scrolling gesture by a user on the touch screen display, wherein the scrolling gesture comprises a substantially vertical movement of a finger of the user on the touch screen display;

responding to the scrolling gesture by scrolling the list of voicemail messages;

detecting selection by the user of a respective voicemail message in the list,

responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by

initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message, and

displaying a progress bar for the user-selected voicemail message;

detecting selection by the user of a backup icon;

responding to the user selection of the backup icon by backing up the playback of the user-selected voicemail message by a predefined amount;

detecting selection by the user of a speed up icon;

responding to the user selection of the speed up icon by increasing the playback speed of the user-selected voicemail message;

detecting movement of a finger of the user from a first position on the progress bar to a second position on the progress bar; and

responding to the detection of the finger movement by restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the second position on the progress bar.

2. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display,

displaying a list of voicemail messages;

detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list,

responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

displaying a progress bar for the user-selected voicemail message, wherein the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played;

detecting movement of a finger of the user from a first position on the progress bar to a second position on the progress bar; and

responding to the detection of the finger movement by

restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the second position on the progress bar, and

changing the indicated portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played to correspond substantially to the second position on the progress bar.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, including

detecting a scrolling gesture;

and

responding to the scrolling gesture by scrolling the list of voicemail messages.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the scrolling gesture comprises a substantially vertical movement of a finger of the user on the touch screen display.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 3, wherein the scrolling gesture has a horizontal position on the touch screen, and detecting the scrolling gesture is independent of the horizontal position of the gesture on the touch screen.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein detecting selection by the user of a respective voicemail message comprises detecting a tap gesture by the finger of the user on the respective voicemail message.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message includes highlighting the respective voicemail message in the list.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, including

detecting selection by the user of a backup icon;

responding to the user selection of the backup icon by backing up the playback of the user-selected voicemail message by a predefined amount;

detecting selection by the user of a speed up icon; and

responding to the user selection of the speed up icon by increasing the playback speed of the user-selected voicemail message.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the predefined amount is between one and five seconds.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein increasing the playback speed comprises increasing the playback speed by at least 50%.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, including, for a voicemail message being played at an increased playback speed, adjusting the sound frequency or pitch of the playback.

12. A graphical user interface on a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, comprising:

a list of voicemail messages; and

a progress bar;

wherein;

in response to detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list, playback of the user-selected voicemail message is initiated;

the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played;

in response to detecting movement of a finger of the user from a first position on the progress bar to a second position on the progress bar,

playback of the user-selected voicemail message is restarted at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the second position on the progress bar, and

the indicated portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played is changed to correspond substantially to the second position on the progress bar.

13. The graphical user interface of claim 12, including a backup icon and a speed up icon, wherein:

in response to detecting selection by the user of the backup icon, the playback of the user-selected voicemail message is backed up by a predefined amount; and

in response to detecting selection by the user of the speed up icon, the playback speed of the user-selected voicemail message is increased.

14. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a touch screen display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including;

instructions for displaying a list of voicemail messages;

instructions for detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

instruction for responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

instructions for displaying a progress bar for the user-selected voicemail message, wherein the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played;

instructions for detecting movement of a finger of the user from a first position on the progress bar to a second position on the progress bar; and

instructions for responding to the detection of the finger movement by

restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the second position on the progress bar, and

changing the indicated portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played to correspond substantially to the second position on the progress bar.

15. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs to be executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, the one or more programs stored in the computer readable storage medium comprising:

instructions for displaying a list of voicemail messages;

instructions for detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

instructions for responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

instructions for displaying a progress bar for the user-selected voicemail message, wherein the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played;

instructions for detecting movement of a finger of the user from a first position on the progress bar to a second position on the progress bar; and

instructions for responding to the detection of the finger movement by

restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the second position on the progress bar, and

changing the indicated portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played to correspond substantially to the second position on the progress bar.

16. A portable electronic device with a touch screen display, comprising:

means for displaying a list of voicemail messages;

means for detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

means for responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

means for displaying a progress bar for the user-selected voicemail message, wherein the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played;

means for detecting movement of a finger of the user from a first position on the progress bar to a second position on the progress bar; and

means for responding to the detection of the finger movement by

restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the second position on the progress bar, and

changing the indicated portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played to correspond substantially to the second position on the progress bar.

17. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display,

displaying a list of voicemail messages;

detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

displaying a progress bar for the user-selected voicemail message, wherein the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played;

detecting a finger of the user at a position on the progress bar; and

responding to the detection of the finger by

restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the position of the finger on the progress bar, and

changing the indicated portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played to correspond substantially to the position of the finger on the progress bar.

18. A graphical user interface on a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, comprising:

a list of voicemail messages; and

a progress bar;

wherein;

in response to detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list, playback of the user-selected voicemail message is initiated;

the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played;

in response to detecting a finger of the user at a position on the progress bar,

playback of the user-selected voicemail message is restarted at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the position of the finger on the progress bar, and

the indicated portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played is changed to correspond substantially to the position of the finger on the progress bar.

19. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a touch screen display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including;

instructions for displaying a list of voicemail messages;

instructions for detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

instructions for responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

instructions for displaying a progress bar for the user-selected voicemail message, wherein the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played;

instructions for detecting a finger of the user at a position on the progress bar; and

instructions for responding to the detection of the finger by

restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the position of the finger on the progress bar, and

changing the indicated portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played to correspond substantially to the position of the finger on the progress bar.

20. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs to be executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, the one or more programs stored in the computer readable storage medium comprising:

instructions for displaying a list of voicemail messages;

instructions for detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

instructions for responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

instructions for displaying a progress bar for the user-selected voicemail message, wherein the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played;

instructions for detecting a finger of the user at a position on the progress bar; and

instructions for responding to the detection of the finger by

restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the position of the finger on the progress bar, and

changing the indicated portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played to correspond substantially to the position of the finger on the progress bar.

21. A portable electronic device with a touch screen display, comprising:

means for displaying a list of voicemail messages;

means for detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

means for responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

means for displaying a progress bar for the user-selected voicemail message, wherein the progress bar indicates the portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played;

means for detecting a finger of the user at a position on the progress bar; and

means for responding to the detection of the finger by

restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the position of the finger on the progress bar, and

changing the indicated portion of the user-selected voicemail message that has been played to correspond substantially to the position of the finger on the progress bar.

22. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display,

displaying a list of voicemail messages;

detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

detecting a finger contact with a predefined area on the touch screen display, wherein the predefined area includes a progress bar that is configured to slide in a first direction in the predefined area on the touch screen display;

detecting movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display from the predefined area to a location outside the predefined area, wherein the movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display has a component parallel to the first direction and a component perpendicular to the first direction;

sliding the progress bar in the predefined area in accordance with the component of the movement of the finger contact that is parallel to the first direction; and

restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the position of the slid progress bar.

23. A graphical user interface on a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, comprising:

a list of voicemail messages; and

a progress bar;

wherein;

in response to detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list, playback of the user-selected voicemail message is initiated;

in response to;

detecting a finger contact with a predefined area on the touch screen display, wherein the predefined area includes a progress bar that is configured to slide in a first direction in the predefined area on the touch screen display, and

detecting movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display from the predefined area to a location outside the predefined area, wherein the movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display has a component parallel to the first direction and a component perpendicular to the first direction,

the progress bar is slid in the predefined area in accordance with the component of the movement of the finger contact that is parallel to the first direction, and

playback of the user-selected voicemail message is restarted at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the position of the slid progress bar.

24. A portable electronic device, comprising:

a touch screen display;

one or more processors;

memory; and

one or more programs stored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including;

instructions for displaying a list of voicemail messages;

instructions for detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

instructions for responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

instructions for detecting a finger contact with a predefined area on the touch screen display, wherein the predefined area includes a progress bar that is configured to slide in a first direction in the predefined area on the touch screen display;

instructions for detecting movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display from the predefined area to a location outside the predefined area, wherein the movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display has a component parallel to the first direction and a component perpendicular to the first direction;

instructions for sliding the progress bar in the predefined area in accordance with the component of the movement of the finger contact that is parallel to the first direction; and

instructions for restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the position of the slid progress bar.

25. A computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs to be executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, the one or more programs stored in the computer readable storage medium comprising:

instructions for displaying a list of voicemail messages;

instructions for detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

instructions for responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

instructions for detecting a finger contact with a predefined area on the touch screen display, wherein the predefined area includes a progress bar that is configured to slide in a first direction in the predefined area on the touch screen display;

instructions for detecting movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display from the predefined area to a location outside the predefined area, wherein the movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display has a component parallel to the first direction and a component perpendicular to the first direction;

instructions for sliding the progress bar in the predefined area in accordance with the component of the movement of the finger contact that is parallel to the first direction; and

instructions for restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the position of the slid progress bar.

26. A portable electronic device with a touch screen display, comprising:

means for displaying a list of voicemail messages;

means for detecting selection by a user of a respective voicemail message in the list;

means for responding to the user selection of the respective voicemail message by initiating playback of the user-selected voicemail message;

means for detecting a finger contact with a predefined area on the touch screen display, wherein the predefined area includes a progress bar that is configured to slide in a first direction in the predefined area on the touch screen display;

means for detecting movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display from the predefined area to a location outside the predefined area, wherein the movement of the finger contact on the touch screen display has a component parallel to the first direction and a component perpendicular to the first direction;

means for sliding the progress bar in the predefined area in accordance with the component of the movement of the finger contact that is parallel to the first direction; and

means for restarting playback of the user-selected voicemail message at a position within the user-selected voicemail message corresponding substantially to the position of the slid progress bar.