Missed telephone call management for a portable multifunction device

• US 8,014,760 B2
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Issued: 09/06/2011
• 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., Van Os, Marcel, Forstall, Scott, Matas, Michael, Herz, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): SANTIAGO CORDERO, MARIVELISSE
• Application Number:
  US11/769,694
• Publication Number:
  US 20080057926A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,532 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412.2, 379/142.01, 379/201.01, 379/418
• US Class Current: 455/412.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04847 Interaction techniques to control parameter settings, e.g. interaction with sliders or dials
• 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: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/576 associated with a pictorial or graphical representation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72466 with selection means, e.g. keys, having functions defined by the mode or the status of the device
• 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 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• 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 2250/60 logging of communication history, e.g. outgoing or incoming calls, missed calls, messages or URLs logging of telephone numbers H04M1/56, H04M1/57
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for use in conjunction with a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. A list of items comprising missed telephone calls is displayed. Upon detecting user selection of an item in the list, contact information is displayed for a respective caller corresponding to the user selected item. The displayed contact information includes a plurality of contact objects that include a first contact object, comprising a telephone number object having a first telephone number associated with the missed telephone call, and a second contact object. Upon detecting user selection of the second contact object, a communication with the respective caller is initiated via a modality corresponding to the second contact object.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display;

displaying a list of interactive items comprising missed telephone calls, wherein each item in the list of interactive items includes a first interactive displayed portion and a second interactive displayed portion distinct from the first interactive displayed portion;

immediately in response to detecting a finger gesture on the first interactive displayed portion of a respective user selected item in the list, initiating a return telephone call to a return telephone number associated with the respective user selected item;

immediately in response to detecting a finger gesture on the second interactive displayed portion of the respective user selected item in the list, completely substituting display of the list of interactive items with display of contact information for a respective caller corresponding to the respective user selected item, the displayed contact information including a plurality of contact objects;

the plurality of contact objects including;

a first contact object comprising a telephone number object having the return telephone number, and

a second contact object associated with a non-telephonic communication modality for contacting the respective caller; and

immediately in response to detecting user selection of the second contact object, initiating a communication with the respective caller via the non-telephonic communication modality corresponding to the second contact object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second contact object is an email contact object, and wherein initiating the communication via the non-telephonic communication modality corresponding to the second contact object includes preparing an email message with the selected email address associated with the second contact object, ready for text input by the user.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second contact object is an instant messaging object, and wherein initiating the communication via the non-telephonic communication modality corresponding to the second contact object includes preparing an instant message to the number associated with the second contact object, ready for text input by the user.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a single item in the list of interactive items corresponds to a plurality of consecutive missed telephone calls.

5. The method of claim 1, including, while displaying the list of interactive items comprising missed telephone calls, displaying, within a respective single item in the list, a number indicating a plurality of consecutive missed telephone calls.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein a single item in the list of interactive items corresponds to a plurality of missed telephone calls from a plurality of distinct telephone numbers associated with a respective caller.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the second interactive displayed portion of the respective user selected item is identified by an icon displayed within the respective user selected item.

8. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, cause the device to:

display a list of interactive items for missed telephone calls, wherein each item in the list of interactive items includes a first interactive displayed portion and a second interactive displayed portion distinct from the first interactive displayed portion;

immediately in response to detecting a finger gesture on the first interactive displayed portion of a respective user selected item in the list, initiate a return telephone call to a return telephone number associated with the respective user selected item;

immediately in response to detecting a finger gesture on the second interactive displayed portion of the respective user selected item in the list, completely substituting display of the list of interactive items with display of contact information for a respective caller associated with the respective user selected item, the displayed contact information including a plurality of contact objects;

the plurality of contact objects including;

a first contact object comprising a telephone number object having the return telephone number, and

a second contact object associated with a non-telephonic communication modality for contacting the respective caller; and

immediately in response to detecting user selection of the second contact object, initiate a communication with the respective caller via the non-telephonic communication modality corresponding to the second contact object.

9. The computer readable storage medium of claim 8, including instructions that cause the device to, while displaying the list of interactive items comprising missed telephone calls, display, within a respective single item in the list, a number indicating a plurality of consecutive missed telephone calls.

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

memory;

one or more processors; and

one or more programs stored in the memory and configured for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

displaying a list of interactive items for missed telephone calls, wherein each item in the list of interactive items includes a first interactive displayed portion and a second interactive displayed portion distinct from the first interactive displayed portion;

immediately in response to detecting a finger gesture on the first interactive displayed portion of a respective user selected item in the list, initiating a return telephone call to a return telephone number associated with the respective user selected item;

immediately in response to detecting a finger gesture on the second interactive displayed portion of the respective user selected item in the list, completely substituting display of the list of interactive items with display of contact information for a respective caller associated with the respective user selected item, the displayed contact information including a plurality of contact objects;

the plurality of contact objects including;

a first contact object comprising a telephone number object having the return telephone number, and

a second contact object associated with a non-telephonic communication modality for contacting the respective caller; and

immediately in response to detecting user selection of the second contact object, initiating a communication with the respective caller via the non-telephonic communication modality corresponding to the second contact object.

11. The device of claim 10, including instructions for, while displaying the list of interactive items comprising missed telephone calls, displaying, within a respective single item in the list, a number indicating a plurality of consecutive missed telephone calls.

12. A method performed at a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, comprising:

displaying a list on the touch screen display, the list comprising a first plurality of interactive displayed items associated with telephone calls,

wherein at least one interactive displayed item in the list is associated with a missed telephone call,

wherein at least one interactive displayed item associated with a missed telephone call is also associated with contact information stored in the portable electronic device, and

wherein each interactive displayed item associated with a missed telephone call and also associated with contact information includes a first interactive displayed portion and a second interactive displayed portion, the second interactive displayed portion being distinct from the first interactive displayed portion;

wherein for each interactive displayed item associated with a missed telephone call and contact information, the portable electronic device is configured to;

receive a finger tap input in the first interactive displayed portion of the interactive displayed item, and immediately in response to that input to initiate a return telephone call to a telephone number associated with that interactive displayed item, and

receive a finger tap input in the second interactive displayed portion of the interactive displayed item, and immediately in response to that input to completely substituting display of the list with display of contact information for a caller corresponding to the that interactive displayed item, the displayed contact information including a plurality of contact objects, the plurality of contact objects including;

a first contact object comprising a telephone number associated with the caller, and

a second contact object associated with a non-telephonic communication modality for contacting the caller; and

detecting a user tap input with the second contact object, and immediately in response to that input, initiating a communication with the corresponding caller through the non-telephonic communication modality corresponding to the second contact object.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second interactive displayed portion of each interactive displayed item is identified by an icon displayed within the interactive displayed item.

14. A portable electronic device, comprising:

one or more processors;

a touch screen display;

a computer readable storage medium containing instructions that when executed by the one or more processors perform operations in the portable electronic device, the instructions comprising;

instructions to display a list on the touch screen display, the list comprising a plurality of interactive displayed items associated with telephone calls,

wherein at least one interactive displayed item in the list is associated with a missed telephone call,

wherein at least one interactive displayed item associated with a missed telephone call is also associated with contact information stored in the portable electronic device, and

wherein each interactive displayed item associated with a missed telephone call and also associated with contact information includes a first interactive displayed portion and a second interactive displayed portion, the second interactive displayed portion being distinct from the first interactive displayed portion;

instructions to receive a finger tap input in the first interactive displayed portion of an interactive displayed item associated with both a missed call and contact information, and immediately in response to that input, to initiate a telephone call to a telephone number associated with that interactive displayed item;

instructions to receive a finger tap input in the second interactive displayed portion of an interactive displayed item associated with both a missed call and contact information, and immediately in response to that input to completely substituting display of the list with display of contact information for a caller corresponding to that interactive displayed item, the displayed contact information including simultaneous display of a plurality of contact objects, the plurality of contact objects including;

a first contact object associated with initiating a telephone call to the caller,

a second contact object associated with sending an email to the caller, and

a third contact object associated with sending an instant message to the caller; and

instructions to detect a finger tap input at any one contact object of the plurality of contact objects, and immediately in response to that input, to initiate a communication to the corresponding caller of the type corresponding to the contact object at which the input was detected.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the second interactive displayed portion of each interactive displayed item is identified by an icon displayed within the item.

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

displaying a list of items, the list comprising a plurality of interactive displayed items associated with telephone calls,

wherein at least one interactive displayed item in the list is associated with a missed telephone call and is also associated with contact information stored in the portable electronic device, and

wherein each such interactive displayed item associated with both a missed telephone call and contact information comprises at least a first interactive displayed portion and a second interactive displayed portion, the second interactive displayed portion being distinct from the first interactive displayed portion;

detecting a finger tap input at a first user selected interactive displayed item associated with both a missed telephone call and contact information, wherein the finger tap input is with the first interactive displayed portion of the selected interactive displayed item, and immediately in response to that input initiating a telephone call to a telephone number associated with the first user selected interactive displayed item;

detecting a finger tap input at a second user selected interactive displayed item associated with both a missed telephone call and contact information, where the finger tap input is with the second interactive displayed portion of the selected interactive displayed item, and immediately in response to that input completely substituting display of the list of items with display of contact information for a caller corresponding to the second user selected interactive displayed item, the displayed contact information including a plurality of contact objects comprising;

a first contact object associated with a telephone number for contacting the caller, and

a second contact object associated with a non-telephonic communication modality for contacting the caller; and

immediately in response to detecting user selection of the second contact object, initiating a communication with the corresponding caller through the non-telephonic communication modality corresponding to the second contact object.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second interactive displayed portion of each interactive displayed item is identified by an icon displayed within the interactive displayed item.

18. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, cause the device to:

display a list on the touch screen display, the list comprising a first plurality of interactive displayed items associated with telephone calls,

wherein at least one interactive displayed item in the list is associated with a missed telephone call,

wherein at least one interactive displayed item associated with a missed telephone call is also associated with contact information stored in the portable electronic device, and

wherein each interactive displayed item associated with a missed telephone call and also associated with contact information includes a first interactive displayed portion and a second interactive displayed portion, the second interactive displayed portion being distinct from the first interactive displayed portion;

wherein for each interactive displayed item associated with a missed telephone call and contact information, the portable electronic device is configured to;

receive a finger tap input in the first interactive displayed portion of the interactive displayed item, and immediately in response to that input to initiate a return telephone call to a telephone number associated with that interactive displayed item, and

receive a finger tap input in the second interactive displayed portion of the interactive displayed item, and immediately in response to that input to completely substituting display of the list with display of display of contact information for a caller corresponding to that interactive displayed item, the displayed contact information including a plurality of contact objects, the plurality of contact objects including;

a first contact object comprising a telephone number associated with the caller, and

a second contact object associated with a non-telephonic communication modality for contacting the caller; and

detect a user tap input with the second contact object, and immediately in response to that input, initiate a communication with the corresponding caller through the non-telephonic communication modality corresponding to the second contact object.

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

memory;

one or more processors; and

one or more programs stored in the memory and configured for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions for;

displaying a list of items, the list comprising a plurality of interactive displayed items associated with telephone calls,

wherein at least one interactive displayed item in the list is associated with a missed telephone call and is also associated with contact information stored in the portable electronic device, and

wherein each such interactive displayed item associated with both a missed telephone call and contact information comprises at least a first interactive displayed portion and a second interactive displayed portion, the second interactive displayed portion being distinct from the first interactive displayed portion;

detecting a finger tap input at a first user selected interactive displayed item associated with both a missed telephone call and contact information, wherein the finger tap input is with the first interactive displayed portion of the selected interactive displayed item, and immediately in response to that input initiating a telephone call to a telephone number associated with the first user selected interactive displayed item;

detecting a finger tap input at a second user selected interactive displayed item associated with both a missed telephone call and contact information, where the finger tap input is with the second interactive displayed portion of the selected interactive displayed item, and immediately in response to that input completely substituting display of the list of interactive items with display of contact information for a caller corresponding to the second user selected interactive displayed item, the displayed contact information including a plurality of contact objects comprising;

a first contact object associated with a telephone number for contacting the caller, and

a second contact object associated with a non-telephonic communication modality for contacting the caller; and

immediately in response to detecting user selection of the second contact object, initiating a communication with the corresponding caller through the non-telephonic communication modality corresponding to the second contact object.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein the second interactive displayed portion of each interactive displayed item is identified by an icon displayed within the interactive displayed item.

21. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programs comprising instructions, which when executed by a portable electronic device with a touch screen display, cause the device to:

display a list of items, the list comprising a plurality of interactive displayed items associated with telephone calls,

wherein at least one interactive displayed item in the list is associated with a missed telephone call and is also associated with contact information stored in the portable electronic device, and

wherein each such interactive displayed item associated with both a missed telephone call and contact information comprises at least a first interactive displayed portion and a second interactive displayed portion, the second interactive displayed portion being distinct from the first interactive displayed portion;

detect a finger tap input at a first user selected interactive displayed item associated with both a missed telephone call and contact information, wherein the finger tap input is with the first interactive displayed portion of the selected interactive displayed item, and immediately in response to that input initiate a telephone call to a telephone number associated with the first user selected interactive displayed item;

detect a finger tap input at a second user selected interactive displayed item associated with both a missed telephone call and contact information, where the finger tap input is with the second interactive displayed portion of the selected interactive displayed item, and immediately in response to that input completely substitute display of the list of items with display of contact information for a caller corresponding to the second user selected interactive displayed item, the displayed contact information including a plurality of contact objects comprising;

a first contact object associated with a telephone number for contacting the caller, and

a second contact object associated with a non-telephonic communication modality for contacting the caller; and

immediately in response to detecting user selection of the second contact object, initiate a communication with the corresponding caller through the non-telephonic communication modality corresponding to the second contact object.

22. The computer readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the second interactive displayed portion of each interactive displayed item is identified by an icon displayed within the interactive displayed item.