Actionable Reminder Entries

• US 20140033071A1
• Filed: 05/14/2013
• Published: 01/30/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Gruber, Thomas R., Sabatelli, Alessandro F., Aybes, Alexandre A., Pitschel, Donald W., Voas, Edward D., Anzures, Freddy A., Marcos, Paul D.
• Granted Patent: US 10,241,644 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/752
• 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 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44 Arrangements for executing specific programs
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/06311 Scheduling, planning or task assignment for a person or group
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1097 Task assignment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]

Abstract

Techniques for processing task items are provided. A task item is electronic data that represents a task to be performed, whether manually or automatically. A task item includes one or more details about its corresponding task, such as a description of the task and a location of the task. Specifically, techniques for generating task items, organizing task items, triggering notifications of task items, and consuming task items are described. In one approach, a task item is generated based on input from a user and context of the input. In another approach, different attributes of task items are used to organize the task items intelligently into multiple lists. In another approach, actions other than the generation of notification are enabled or automatically performed, actions such as entailing, calling, texting, and searching.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for initiating actions associated with ask items, comprising:

at an electronic device with a processor and memory storing instructions for execution by the processor;

receiving, from a user, input that specifies one or more attributes for a task;

generating a task item based on the input, including identifying an action to be performed by the electronic device, wherein the action is associated with the task;

displaying, in a task list, the task item and an associated activation region;

receiving a user selection of the activation region; and

performing the action in response to receiving the user selection of the activation region.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the activation region overlaps a title of the task item.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the activation region overlaps a description of the task item.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the activation region overlaps a graphical object.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the graphical object is displayed next to a title of the task item.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein the graphical object is displayed next to a description of the task item.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to performing the action, marking the task item as complete.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising, after receiving a user selection of the activation region and prior to performing the action:

displaying a prompt requesting permission to perform the action; and

receiving a permission input from the user.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the task item is not associated with a triggering criterion that determines when to trigger a notification to complete the task.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the task item is not associated with a triggering criterion that indicates when the action is to be performed.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the action is causing an email or a text message to be sent over a network to a recipient that is associated with the task item.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the action is displaying a text composition area, and wherein text input by a user into the text composition area is sent as an email or a text message over a network to a recipient that is associated with the task item.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the action is initiating a phone call to a device associated with a phone number that is associated with the task item.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein causing the action to be performed comprises a first process causing a second process to perform the first action.

15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the first process causing the second process to perform the action comprises the first process invoking an API call of the second process, wherein the API call comprises one or more attributes associated with the task item.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the input is based on voice input that was received at a handheld device.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising;

detecting one or more events associated with the performing of the action; and

determining whether the one or more events satisfy one or more conditions indicating that the action has been completed.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the action is sending an email, and the one or more conditions are satisfied upon determining that an email has been sent by the electronic device.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the action is initiating a telephone call, and the one or more conditions are satisfied upon receiving a telephone call initiation request.

20. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the action is initiating a telephone call, and the one or more conditions are satisfied upon detecting a telephone call connection event.

21. The computer-implemented method of claim 19, wherein the one or more conditions are satisfied upon detecting a voice input that is characteristic of a telephone call.

22. The computer-implemented method of claim 20, wherein the one or more conditions are satisfied upon detecting a voice input that is characteristic of a telephone call.

23. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

detecting one or more events associated with a failure to perform the action; and

determining whether the one or more events satisfy one or more conditions indicating that the action has not been completed.

24. The computer-implemented method of claim 23, wherein the one or more conditions are satisfied upon receiving a user selection of a control element on the electronic device.

25. The computer-implemented method of claim 24, wherein the control element is selected from the group consisting of:

an activation region of a touch screen;

a power button;

a control button; and

a switch.

26. The computer-implemented method of claim 23, wherein the action is initiating a telephone call, and the one or more conditions are satisfied upon detecting a voice input within a predetermined time after selection of the activation region.

27. An electronic device, comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

receiving, from a user, input that specifies one or more attributes for a task;

generating a task item based on the input, including identifying an action to be performed by the electronic device, wherein the action is associated with the task;

displaying, in a task list, the task item and an associated activation region;

receiving a user selection of the activation region; and

performing the action in response to receiving the user selection of the activation region.

28. The electronic device of claim 27, the one or more programs further comprising instructions for:

detecting one or more events associated with the performing of the action; and

determining whether the one or more events satisfy one or more conditions indicating that the action has been completed.

29. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing one or more programs for execution by one or more processors of an electronic device, the one or more programs including instructions for:

receiving, from a user, input that specifies one or more attributes for a task;

generating a task item based on the input, including identifying an action to be performed by the electronic device, wherein the action is associated with the task;

displaying, in a task list, the task item and an associated activation region;

receiving a user selection of the activation region; and

performing the action in response to receiving the user selection of the activation region.

30. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 29, the one or more programs further comprising instructions for:

detecting one or more events associated with the performing of the action; and

determining whether the one or more events satisfy one or more conditions indicating that the action has been completed.