Graphical communication user interface

• US 20080309617A1
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Published: 12/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/15/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Yang, Qiong, Zhang, Chunhui, Kong, Randy Yuan
• Granted Patent: US 8,711,102 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/157
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• 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: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations

Abstract

New devices, systems and methods are hereby provided that enable a user to open a communication channel by selecting an image on a monitor. A device that includes a monitor and a graphical position user input mechanism is configured to display one or more images on the monitor, to receive a graphical position user input selecting one of the images, and to open a communication channel directed to a contact information element associated with the selected image. For example, this may include placing a phone call to a selected recipient, or opening an email, instant messaging, or text message composition panel addressed to a selected recipient, by touching, clicking on, or otherwise selecting an image of the recipient, or an image that is associated with the recipient.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a monitor; and

a graphical position user input mechanism associated with the monitor;

wherein the device is configured to display one or more images on the monitor, to receive a graphical position user input indicating one of the images as a selected image, and to open a communication channel directed to a contact information element associated with the selected image.

2. The device of claim 1, further comprising a language input mechanism, and further configured to receive language user inputs via the language input mechanism and to send the language user inputs via the communication channel.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the language user input mechanism comprises at least one of:

a microphone, a keyboard, a keypad, a graphics tablet, a stylus, or a numberpad.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the graphical position user input mechanism comprises a touch-screen input associated with the monitor.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the graphical position user input mechanism comprises a pointing device.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the pointing device comprises at least one of:

a mouse, a touchpad, a pointing stick, a graphics tablet, a stylus, a trackball, a joystick, or a light pen.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the graphical position user input mechanism comprises a tracking camera.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device is further configured to store a plurality of contact information elements, and to store a plurality of images associated with the contact information elements.

9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a camera configured to record images and to transmit the captured images via the communication channel.

10. The device of claim 1, further configured to display images received via the communication channel.

11. A method comprising:

storing one or more contact information elements and one or more images in association with the one or more contact information elements;

displaying the one or more images;

receiving a user input selecting one of the images; and

opening a communication channel directed at the contact information element associated with the selected image.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the contact information element is selected from among a phone number, an email address, an instant messaging username, or a text message number;

and wherein the communication channel comprises a telephone call, an email, an instant messaging panel, or a text message.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising storing one or more names in association with the one or more images.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying a plurality of the images in an order corresponding to an order associated with the names associated with the images.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising associating a plurality of the contact information elements with one of the images, and responding to a user input selecting one of the images by offering selectable options for the contact information elements associated with the selected image.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising applying a pattern recognition mechanism to an additional image, and matching the additional image to one of the contact information elements selected for being associated with an image indicated by the pattern recognition mechanism to correlate with the additional image.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising recording an image with a camera, applying a face recognition mechanism to the image, and comparing a result of the face recognition mechanism with stored face recognition information associated with one or more user accounts, wherein displaying the one or more images comprises displaying one or more images associated with a user account indicated by the result of the face recognition mechanism.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising receiving an additional image that is associated with metadata indicating a contact information element, and storing the additional image in association with the contact information element from the metadata.

19. The method of claim 11, further comprising recording a new contact information element, and associating a selected image with the new contact information element, wherein the selected image comprises either an image received via the communication channel, an image recorded with a camera, an image that is input by a user, an image that is selected by a user, or an image that is generated in association with the new contact information element.

20. A device comprising:

a processor;

a communication interface, communicatively connected to the processor;

a language input mechanism, communicatively connected to the processor;

a monitor, communicatively connected to the processor;

a graphical input mechanism associated with the monitor; and

a medium, communicatively connected to the processor and readable by the processor, wherein the medium comprises;

one or more contact information elements;

one or more image files, each associated with one of the contact information elements; and

executable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, configure the device;

to display one or more images on the monitor based on the image files, to receive a user input via the graphical input mechanism indicating one of the images, to open a communication channel via the communication interface based on the contact information element associated with the selected image, to receive input via the language input mechanism, and to convey the input via the communication channel.