U.S. patent application number 11/781962 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-15 for system and method of receiving a call having an identified or unidentified number and an identified or unidentified name.
This patent application is currently assigned to PALMSOURCE, INC.. Invention is credited to Stephane Maes, Ryan Robertson, Tim Twerdahl, Benoit Vialle.
Application Number | 20070263827 11/781962 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38266920 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070263827 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Robertson; Ryan ; et
al. |
November 15, 2007 |
SYSTEM AND METHOD OF RECEIVING A CALL HAVING AN IDENTIFIED OR
UNIDENTIFIED NUMBER AND AN IDENTIFIED OR UNIDENTIFIED NAME
Abstract
A system and method is described for managing a phone call to a
phone device of a personal digital assistant, the phone call being
transmitted from a device in a mobile phone network. In one
example, the method involves determining a status of a radio switch
of the personal digital assistant. The personal digital assistant
determines a status of the network coverage of the phone device. In
other words, the personal digital assistant determines the relative
strength of the phone call signal that is transmitted to the phone
device from the mobile phone network. If the radio switch is turned
on and the network coverage is adequate, the phone device receives
the phone call. A user of the personal digital assistant preferably
has an option of answering or not answering the phone call. If the
phone call is not answered, the phone call is preferably redirected
to a voicemail application.
Inventors: |
Robertson; Ryan; (Seattle,
WA) ; Maes; Stephane; (Mountain View, CA) ;
Vialle; Benoit; (Evanston, IL) ; Twerdahl; Tim;
(Los Altos, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BERRY & ASSOCIATES P.C.
9255 SUNSET BOULEVARD
SUITE 810
LOS ANGELES
CA
90069
US
|
Assignee: |
PALMSOURCE, INC.
1188 East Arques Avenue
Sunnyvale
CA
94085
|
Family ID: |
38266920 |
Appl. No.: |
11/781962 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09677526 |
Sep 29, 2000 |
7248864 |
|
|
11781962 |
Jul 24, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
379/211.02 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 2201/18 20130101;
H04M 3/2227 20130101; H04M 3/533 20130101; H04M 1/72433 20210101;
H04M 1/6505 20130101; H04M 2203/2011 20130101; H04M 1/57 20130101;
H04M 1/6058 20130101; H04M 3/436 20130101; H04M 1/724 20210101;
H04M 2207/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/211.02 |
International
Class: |
H04M 3/42 20060101
H04M003/42 |
Claims
1. A method of managing phone calls on a personal digital assistant
having a phone device, the method comprising: receiving an incoming
call signal from a telephone network; checking an assignment status
of a speaker device; and diverting the incoming call to a voicemail
application if the speaker is not attached.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation application of
application Ser. No. 09/677,526, entitled "COMBINED PERSONAL
DIGITAL ASSISTANT AND MOBILE PHONE AND METHOD OF RECEIVING A CALL",
filed Sep. 29, 2000, to be issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,248,864, and
assigned to the assignee of the present application. The subject
matter in the above-identified co-pending and commonly owned
application is incorporated herein by reference.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention generally relates to
telecommunications and, more particularly, to providing phone
applications in a portable computer system.
[0005] 2. Discussion of Background
[0006] Personal computer systems have become common tools in modern
society. To organize their lives, many personal computer users use
personal information management applications such as an address
book and a daily organizer on their personal computers. Although
such applications have proven useful for personal information
management, their utility is limited by the fact that the person
must be sitting at their personal computer system to access the
information.
[0007] To remedy this limitation, many palmtop computers,
electronic organizers and other handheld devices, commonly known as
personal digital assistants ("PDA's") have been introduced. A PDA
is a computer that is small enough to be held in the hand of a user
and runs personal information management applications such as an
address book, a daily organizer, and electronic notepads. These
applications make people's lives easier.
[0008] The most popular brand of PDA is the Palm.TM. (not shown).
However, the Palm.TM. is much more than a simple PDA. A Palm.TM. is
small, slim, device, about the size of your wallet, can hold 6000
addresses, 5 years of appointments, 1500 to-do items, 1500 memos,
200 e-mail messages, and can run many different software
applications.
[0009] The front panel of the Palm.TM. is a large LCD screen, which
is touch-sensitive and allows a user to enter and manipulate data.
By using a stylus to interact with a touch-sensitive screen, a user
may easily navigate through a host of various software
applications. A stylus is used to interact with information on a
screen in much the same way as a mouse on a desktop personal
computer.
[0010] Many PDA's offer Internet connectivity, as well as a vast
array of hardware and software choices. PDA's have evolved into a
new kind of handheld device that people use to instantly manage all
kinds of information, from email, to medical data, to stock
reports. Unfortunately, to date, PDA's have had only modest success
in the marketplace, due to their high price tags, as well as their
useful although limited applications.
[0011] In addition to being somewhat limited, many PDA applications
have generally not been available in the PDA's counterpart--the
mobile phone. Mobile phone manufacturers have taken the approach of
trying to integrate PDA functionality into their mobile phones.
This approach has several disadvantages. To fulfill their primary
function of efficiently making phone calls, mobile phones are
geared toward a different feature set from PDA's. For example, as
one of the design aims for mobile phones is ever-smaller size,
Internet access is compromised. Mobile phones are an unattractive
Internet access option because the screen on a mobile phone is
typically much smaller than that of a PDA. A mobile phone can
typically display only a small fraction of the amount information
that a PDA can display.
[0012] Generally, many applications that are user-friendly on a PDA
would be cumbersome in a mobile phone environment. Additional
examples of such applications include inputting an address list and
displaying a detailed record of calls. A mobile phone is therefore
inherently unsuitable for navigating through even the simplest of
PDA applications.
[0013] PDA's and mobile phones have been manufactured to meet
different design aims. PDA's are primarily designed to provide
personal information management in a small, portable device. Mobile
phones are primarily designed for efficiently making phone calls
while on the go. A mobile phone environment is generally not geared
for running PDA software applications, including anything more than
the lowest level of graphics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] It has been recognized that what is needed is an efficient
system for integrating mobile phone functionality into a palmtop
environment. The present invention fills these needs by providing a
system and method for managing a phone call to a phone device of a
personal digital assistant (PDA). It should be appreciated that the
present invention can be implemented in numerous ways, including as
a process, an apparatus, a system, a device or a method. Several
inventive embodiments of the present invention are described
below.
[0015] In one embodiment, the method comprises determining a status
of a radio switch of the personal digital assistant. A status of
network coverage of the phone device of the personal digital
assistant is also determined.
[0016] In another embodiment, the method further comprises
determining a status of an earplug device. If the earplug device is
plugged in, the earplug device is electrically connected to the
personal digital assistant and is configured to emit sound waves
related to signals received from the phone device of the personal
digital assistant.
[0017] In still another embodiment, the method further includes
receiving caller data of the phone call, wherein the caller data
includes information on a phone number associated with the phone
call, and information on a name associated with the phone number.
An incoming message is displayed, wherein the incoming message
includes information related to the caller data.
[0018] Advantageously, the present invention provides a more
convenient and efficient system for combining mobile phone
functionality with PDA functionality. A user may utilize
traditional mobile phone applications without having to deal with
mobile phone inconveniences. The present invention provides an
environment for applications that require more robust computer
systems and graphics capabilities than a typical mobile phone
provides. Moreover, the present invention provides a system that
not only fulfills these requirements, but also has palm-size
portability. Further, other embodiments, disclosed in detail below,
illustrate how the present invention provides mobile phone software
applications that are ideally used within a PDA of the present
invention.
[0019] The invention encompasses other embodiments of a method, an
apparatus, and a computer-readable medium, which are configured as
set forth above and with other features and alternatives.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The present invention will be readily understood by the
following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings. To facilitate this description, like reference numerals
designate like structural elements.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows a call device of a phone device in a personal
digital assistant (PDA), in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 shows an incoming message having caller data for a
phone call, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0023] FIG. 3 shows an incoming message having caller data that is
partially identifiable, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows an incoming message having caller data that is
totally unidentifiable, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows the call device as a phone call is being
answered, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0026] FIG. 6 shows a voicemail notification of a phone device in a
PDA, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of managing a phone call,
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for managing a phone call that is
properly received by the phone device, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] FIG. 9 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system
upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] An invention for a system and method for managing a phone
call to a phone device of a personal digital assistant (PDA) is
disclosed. In the following description, numerous specific details
are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
present invention. It will be understood, however, to one skilled
in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without
some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well
known process operations have not been described in detail in order
not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
General Overview
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a personal digital assistant (PDA) 100, in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Examples
of a PDA include palm style computers, such as a Palm III.TM., Palm
V.TM., or Palm VII.TM., organizers, manufactured by 3Com
Corporation. Other embodiments of the invention include Windows
CET.TM.. handheld computers, other handheld computers, and other
personal digital assistants.
[0032] The Palm.TM. and its operating environment are used herein
to illustrate various aspects of the present invention. However, it
should be understood that the present invention may be practiced on
other devices, including other Palm.TM. models, PDA's, computer
devices, PC's, notebooks, etc.
[0033] A PDA 100 is preferably a combination of a processor and
memory, having a portable energy source, and being housed in a
manner to be carried with one hand. A PDA 100 combines computing,
telephone/fax, and networking features, and can function as a
cellular phone, fax sender, and personal organizer. A PDA 100 is
preferably pen-based, using a stylus rather than a keyboard for
input. This use of a stylus means that a PDA 100 preferably
incorporates handwriting recognition features. In another
embodiment, a PDA 100 can react to voice input by using voice
recognition technologies.
[0034] A call device 101 is shown active on the screen PDA 100. A
phone device in the PDA 100 runs the call device 101. A phone
device in a PDA 100 is preferably software, hardware, or
combination thereof that allows a user to perform functions of a
mobile phone. Such mobile phone functions may include, for example,
dialing phone numbers, placing phone calls, receiving phone calls,
and receiving voicemail. When the PDA 100 is performing functions
of a mobile phone, a mobile phone indicator 122 is preferably
located near the top portion of the screen of the PDA 100.
[0035] When the phone device is showing the call device 101 on the
screen of PDA 100, the PDA 100 preferably indicates by a phone
status icon 124 that the call device 101 is in dialer mode. The
call device 101 preferably includes a dialer pad 102, which allows
a user to input numbers, letters, punctuation, or other symbols
into the call device 101. Numbers may be inputted, for example, to
dial a phone number or to load a phone number into a memory of the
PDA 100. Letters may be inputted, for example, to load a person's
name, address, or other information into memory of the PDA 100.
[0036] The call device 101 of FIG. 1 is shown while the call device
101 is in standby mode. The power of the PDA 101 is on, and the
call device 101 is activated. However, the PDA 100 is neither
receiving nor making a phone call. A name field 104 is preferably
located near the top portion of the call device 101. The name field
104 may have information that identifies, for example, an incoming
caller, an outgoing call recipient, the owner of the PDA 100, or a
carrier of the mobile phone network in which the PDA 100 operates.
In FIG. 1, "Swisscom" is the identification in the name field 104.
In this example, Swisscom is the carrier of the mobile phone
network in which the PDA 100 is operating. The carrier appears in
the name field 104 while the phone is in standby mode. A dialer
status icon 110 is preferably included near the top portion of the
call device 101 to indicate to the user that the call device 101 is
in standby mode. A ringer icon 111 indicates the style of ring that
is set. In this example, the ringer icon 111 indicates the ringer
of the phone device is set to vibrate mode. Other ringer icons may
indicate audible mode or silent mode.
[0037] The embodiment of FIG. 1 shows other features that may be
initiated in the call device 101. A user may initiate these other
applications by pressing a button icon, such as a talk button 114,
a speed button 116, a clear button 118, or an end button 120. User
activation of the Save button 114 saves the phone number associated
with a call the user is currently engaged to the address book. User
activation of the note button 116 activates an in-call note taking
service. User activation of the mute button 118 mutes the caller at
the other end of the line (other caller). This muting which keeps
the other caller from hearing any conversation initiated at the
users side of the conversation. User activation of the end button
120 terminates the call that the user is currently
participating.
[0038] If a message has been recorded in the voicemail application,
a voicemail indicator 112 preferably appears near the top portion
of the screen of the PDA 100. In FIG. 1, the voicemail indicator
112 is an envelope icon. The presence of the voicemail indicator
112 is preferably controlled by a short message service (SMS), a
voicemail application, or a combination of both. SMS is a
telecommunications tool that supports the transmission of short
text messages in a telecommunications network. A voicemail
application is a telecommunications tool used to record voice
messages of an incoming caller when the phone call is not received
or answered by the PDA 100.
[0039] The voicemail indicator 112 preferably disappears if there
are no unheard messages. Whether the envelope remains on the screen
after a message is partly heard (or not deleted in the voicemail
application) is dependent on the particular settings of the network
in which the voicemail application or SMS operates.
[0040] Additionally, when the PDA 100 is running the call device
101, the PDA 100 preferably has at the top of the screen a signal
strength indicator 106 and a battery charge indicator 108. The
signal strength indicator 106 indicates a relative quality and
strength of a signal that may be transmitted in a mobile phone
network in which the phone device is located. The battery charge
indicator 108 shows a relative amount of energy remaining in the
battery of the PDA 100.
Structural Overview
[0041] FIG. 2 shows a PDA 100 that displays an incoming message 201
having caller data for a phone call, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. The incoming message 201 is
displayed on the screen when PDA 100 receives an incoming call
signal from a telephone network. The caller data preferably
includes a phone number 208 and a name 206 associated with the
phone number 208. The phone device will attempt to identify the
phone number 208 and the name 206 as the phone call is being
transmitted to the phone device. The PDA 100 receives the
transmission of the phone call from a mobile phone network. The
phone number is associated with a phone device that is connected to
the mobile phone network and that originated the phone call.
[0042] A name 206 will preferably be either identifiable or
unidentifiable. Identifiable means that the PDA 100 is able match
the name with information that is stored in memory. Likewise, a
phone number 208 will be either identifiable or unidentifiable.
[0043] In the example of FIG. 2, the name 206 and the phone number
208 are each identifiable. Here, the phone number 208 is shown to
be "408.396.9894." The name 206 is shown to be "Stephanie Maes." In
an alternative embodiment, the name 206 is shown with additional
caller information, such as "w" to indicate work, "h" to indicate
home, or "m" to indicate mobile phone. For example, the name 206
may be displayed as "Stephanie Maes--w", indicating that the PDA
100 is receiving a phone call from Stephanie Maes at her work.
[0044] The incoming message 201 preferably includes a status bar
202. In FIG. 2, the status bar 202 indicates that a phone call is
being transmitted to the phone device, and that the present time is
"11:48." Additionally, a ringing indicator 204 preferably appears
indicating that a phone call is being transmitted to the phone
device.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the incoming message 201 appears
before a user responds to the phone call. A user may answer the
phone call by using a stylus to press an answer button 210 on the
display device of the PDA 100. Activation of the answer button 210,
initiates procedures for answering, which involves the PDA 100
receiving and transmitting signals related to the phone call.
[0046] Alternatively, the user may silence the ringer by using a
stylus to press a silence button 212. Activation of the silence
button 212 preferably sends a silence signal to silence the ringer
and to redirect the phone call to a voicemail application. However,
even if the ringer is preset to silent mode, the silence button 212
can be used to redirect the phone call to a voicemail
application.
[0047] The voicemail application is preferably not stored in the
memory of the PDA itself. The portion of the voicemail application
that actually stores messages or sends pages is located at another
location in the mobile phone network. The phone device is capable
of connecting to the network to receive voicemail messages, pages,
or other signals sent from the voicemail application.
[0048] FIG. 3 shows an incoming message 201 having caller data that
is partially identifiable, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. The phone number 208 here is identified as
"(408) 396 9894." The name 206, however, is unidentifiable.
Accordingly, the name 206 here is "Unnamed" to indicate that the
PDA has not identified a name for the phone number 208.
[0049] FIG. 4 shows an incoming message 201 having caller data that
is totally unidentifiable, in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention. Accordingly, a "Not identifiable" message
appears to indicate that neither a phone number nor a name has been
identified for the phone call. However, regardless of any
identification, the user is preferably given an option of answering
or silencing the phone call, as discussed above with reference to
FIG. 2.
[0050] FIG. 5 shows the call device 101 as a phone call is being
answered, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, the phone call is unidentifiable.
Accordingly, "Not identifiable" appears in the name field 104 of
the call device 101 to indicate the caller data does not contain an
identifiable phone number or name. Preferably, the call device 101
begins a timer 502 when the phone call is answered. The timer 502
clocks the period of time the phone call is being answered.
[0051] Other features of the call device 101 include, for example,
a save button 504, a note button 506, a mute button 508, and an end
button 510. User activation of the Save button 504 saves the phone
number associated with a call the user is currently engaged to the
address book. User activation of the note button 506 activates an
in-call note taking service. User activation of the mute button 508
mutes the caller at the other end of the line (other caller). This
muting which keeps the other caller from hearing any conversation
initiated at the users side of the conversation. User activation of
the end button 510 terminates the call that the user is currently
participating.
[0052] FIG. 6 shows a voicemail notification 601 of a phone device
in a PDA, in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention. The voicemail notification 601 appears on the display to
notify the user that a new unheard voicemail message has been
received by the voicemail application. The voice mail preferably
includes a new voicemail icon 602, which includes the words "New
Voicemail."
[0053] The voicemail notification 601 also preferably includes a
keep button 604 and a listen button 606. A user may activate a
button by using a stylus to tap the appropriate region on the
display device having a tap recognizer. A tap recognizer is
hardware, software, or combination thereof connected to a
touch-sensitive portion of the display device 132. A tap recognizer
is configured to initiate a predetermined routine when a user taps
the soft button 126. For example, activation of the keep button 604
sends the phone device back to the previous activity that was in
use before the voicemail notification 601 appeared. Activation of
the listen button 606 initiates an outgoing phone call to the
voicemail application.
Process Overview
[0054] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of a method of managing a phone call,
in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. For
purposes of the following discussion, the phone call is being
transmitted from a device in a mobile phone network to the phone
device of a personal digital assistant, such as PDA 100.
[0055] The method starts in decision operation 702, where it is
determined if a radio switch of the PDA 100 is turned on. This
determination is preferably made by a radio switch detector
configured to determine a status of the radio switch. The purpose
of the radio switch itself is to turn on (or off) the radio
capability of the PDA 100. A radio switch, for example, can be used
in the PDA 100 to complete a circuit that powers an antenna that
allows the PDA 100 to transmit radio waves. Preferably, the antenna
is electrically connected to a receiver that allows the PDA to
receive a phone call transmitted from a device in a mobile phone
network. Thus, in a preferred embodiment, the PDA 100 communicates
with a mobile phone network by way of electromagnetic waves at a
radio frequency.
[0056] If the radio switch is turned off, then a voicemail
application is initiated in step 706. On the other hand, if the
radio switch is turned on, then it is determined in operation 704
whether the PDA 100 is within adequate network coverage. This
determination is preferably made by a network coverage detector. A
network coverage detector is hardware, software, or combination
thereof in the PDA 100, configured to determine the status of
network coverage of the PDA 100. Network coverage is adequate where
the signal strength of the phone call is sufficient for the phone
device to maintain a connection with the mobile phone network. If
network coverage is inadequate, then the voicemail application is
initiated in step 706.
[0057] Accordingly, if the radio switch is turned off or if the
network coverage is inadequate, signals from a mobile phone network
that carry phone calls are never received by the PDA 100. In other
words, the phone device does not interpret the phone call signals.
The phone call is diverted to the voicemail application, where the
incoming caller may leave a message or initiate a page. However, if
the radio switch is on and if network coverage is adequate, then
the method moves to step 708 where management of the phone call
continues.
[0058] FIG. 8 is a flowchart for managing a phone call that is
properly received by the phone device, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention. For purposes of the following
discussion, a phone call may be properly received if the radio
switch is on and the network coverage is adequate to transmit a
phone call to the phone device. The method starts in decision
operation 802 where it is determined, by an earplug device
detector, if an earplug device is plugged into the PDA 100. An
earplug device detector is hardware, software, or combination
thereof in the PDA 100, configured to electronically sense if an
earplug is plugged into the PDA 100.
[0059] An earplug device is a type of a speaker device that allows
a user to hear the phone call. A retractable earplug is plugged
into the PDA 100 if the earplug is electrically connected to the
PDA 100 and is configured to emit sound waves related to signals
received from the PDA. In an alternative embodiment, the earplug
device is fixed in the PDA housing, which is preferably made of a
durable plastic material. The present invention, however, is not so
limited to these specific embodiments.
[0060] If no earplug device is plugged into the PDA 100, the PDA
100 initiates a voicemail application in step 814. In the voicemail
application, for example, an incoming caller leaves a message or
initiates a page to the phone device, as discussed above with
reference to FIG. 6.
[0061] If, however, an earplug device is plugged into the PDA 100,
the phone device receives caller data related to the phone call in
step 804. For example, the PDA 100 receives the phone call from a
mobile phone network. Included with the phone call is
identification data, or caller data. As discussed above with
reference to FIG. 2, caller data preferably includes a phone number
208 and a name 206 associated with the phone number 208. The phone
device, in step 806, then displays an incoming message 201 on the
screen of the PDA 100. This incoming message 201 will include the
caller data.
[0062] Along with the incoming message 201 comes decision operation
808, where the phone device determines whether to initiate a
silence routine. For example, the phone device is ringing and
displaying the incoming message 201, but the user does not want to
answer the phone call. The user preferably has at least an option
of silencing the phone call. The user may use a stylus to press the
silence button 212 and, thereby, redirect the phone call to the
voicemail application, as discussed above with reference to FIG. 2.
If the phone device determines that the silence routine is to be
initiated, the silence routine is initiated in step 810. The
voicemail application is then initiated in step 814.
[0063] If it is determined in operation 808 that the silence
routine is not to be initiated, it is then determined in operation
812 whether the phone call is to be answered. For example, the user
may decide neither to answer the phone call nor to silence the
phone call. The voicemail application is then initiated in step
814.
[0064] Alternatively, the phone device may determine that the phone
call is to be answered. For example, a user may use a stylus to
press the answer button 212 and, thereby, redirect the phone call
to the voicemail application, as discussed above with reference to
FIG. 2. If the phone call is to be answered, is it quickly
determined if the phone device is running the call device 101, an
application discussed above with reference to FIG. 1. In a
preferred embodiment, the call device 101 should be active while
the phone call is being answered.
[0065] If the call device 101 is active, the phone device initiates
the answer routine in step 828. For example, the user presses the
answer button 212. The phone device quickly determines that the
call device 101 is in fact active. In other words, the dialer pad
102 and other features of the call device 101 are available on the
graphical user interface of the PDA 100. The answer routine is then
initiated, in which the timer 502 starts and the PDA sends and
receives signals in the mobile phone network, as discussed above
with reference to FIG. 5.
[0066] If, however, the call device 101 is not running, the PDA 100
determines if the phone device is already in another current
application, other then the call device 101. If the phone device is
in another current application, the PDA 100 suspends this current
application in step 630. In step 832, the PDA 100 then initiates
(or boots) the call device 101. On the other hand, if the phone
device is not in another current application, the PDA initiates (or
boots) the call device 101 in step 832. The answer routine is then
initiated in step 828.
[0067] Once the answer routine is initiated in step 828, the PDA
continues the answer routine. For example, the timer continues to
clock the period of time the phone call is being answered. The
user, meanwhile, is likely to be having a conversation with a
person on the other end of the phone call connection. During the
phone call, it is continuously determined, in operation 836,
whether the phone call is still being answered. For example, the
user either hangs up or continues the telephone conversation. If
the phone call is still being answered, the answer routine is
continued in step 834.
[0068] However, if the phone call is no longer being answered, the
PDA returns to the state that the PDA was in prior to receiving the
phone call in step 838. For example, the user hangs up the phone,
and the PDA returns to the application that was running on the PDA
before the user answered the phone.
[0069] Returning to the discussion of step 814, upon initiation of
the voicemail application, the PDA 100 performs any number of
applications that may be so directed by the user. Such an
application may be, for example, running a calendar program,
inputting a to do list, or placing the PDA 100 into standby mode.
Meanwhile, it is determined in decision operation 816 if the phone
device is receiving voicemail notification from a mobile phone
network. For example, the PDA 100 is receptive to signals that may
be sent from a mobile phone network indicating that a new voicemail
message has been received. If there is no such signal, the PDA
moves on to step 838 to return to the state of the PDA prior to the
phone call.
[0070] On the other hand, if the phone device is receiving
voicemail notification from a mobile phone network, a voicemail
notification message is displayed on the screen of the PDA 100. For
example, a voicemail notification 601 appears on the display to
notify the user that a new unheard voicemail message has been
received by the voicemail application, as discussed above with
reference to FIG. 6.
[0071] The PDA 100, in decision operation 820, then determines if
the voicemail is to be listened to now or later. If the voicemail
is to be listened to later, the PDA returns to the state of the PDA
prior to the phone call in step 838. If the voicemail is to be
listened to now, the phone device initiates procedures to call the
voicemail in step 822.
[0072] In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the PDA eventually returns to
the state of the PDA prior to the phone call. However, in an
alternative embodiment the PDA never returns to the state of the
PDA prior to the phone call. The PDA may, for example, be diverted
directly to an Internet application, go directly into standby mode,
or simply lose power. In a preferred embodiment, however, step 838
effectively represents when the process is done. In short, the
foregoing discussion with references to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 includes
a method of managing a phone call to a phone device of a personal
digital assistant.
Hardware Overview
[0073] FIG. 9 is a block diagram that illustrates a computer system
900 upon which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.
The preferred embodiment is implemented using one or more computer
programs running on a portable computer, such as PDA 100.
Accordingly, in this embodiment, the computer system 900 is PDA
100.
[0074] The configuration shown in FIG. 9 is for exemplary purposes
for discussing the present invention. Many different combinations
of processing units, programs, memory units, and telephone devices
(modules) will be apparent to those skilled in the art to perform
similar operations as required by the present invention.
[0075] Computer system 900 includes a bus 902 or other
communication mechanism for communicating information, and a
processor 904 coupled with bus 902 for processing information.
Computer system 900 also includes a main memory 906, such as a
random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device, coupled
to bus 902 for storing information and instructions to be executed
by processor 904. Main memory 906 also may be used for storing
temporary variables or other intermediate information during
execution of instructions to be executed by processor 904. Computer
system 900 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 908 or other
static storage device coupled to bus 902 for storing static
information and instructions for processor 904. A storage device
910, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, is provided and
coupled to bus 902 for storing information and instructions.
[0076] Computer system 900 may be coupled via bus 902 to a display
912, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), for displaying
information to a computer user. An input device 914 is a
touch-sensitive LCD that interprets input by sensing contact on the
LCD. The input device 914 is coupled to bus 902 for communicating
information and command selections to processor 904. Another type
of input device 914 includes alphanumeric and other keys, and is
coupled to bus 902 for communicating information and command
selections to processor 904. Still another type of user input
device is cursor control 916, such as a mouse, a trackball, or
cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and
command selections to processor 904 and for controlling cursor
movement on display 912. This input device typically has two
degrees of freedom in two axes, a first axis (e.g., x) and a second
axis (e.g., y), that allows the device to specify positions in a
plane.
[0077] The invention is related to the use of computer system 900
for providing mobile phone applications in a PDA 100. According to
one embodiment of the invention, mobile phone applications are
provided by computer system 900 in response to processor 904
executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions
contained in main memory 906. Such instructions may be read into
main memory 906 from another computer-readable medium, such as
storage device 910. Execution of the sequences of instructions
contained in main memory 906 causes processor 904 to perform the
process steps described herein. In alternative embodiments,
hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with
software instructions to implement the invention. Thus, embodiments
of the invention are not limited to any specific combination of
hardware circuitry and software.
[0078] The term "computer-readable medium" as used herein refers to
any medium that participates in providing instructions to processor
904 for execution. Such a medium may take many forms, including but
not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and
transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example,
optical or magnetic disks, such as storage device 910. Volatile
media includes dynamic memory, such as main memory 906.
Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber
optics, including the wires that comprise bus 902. Transmission
media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as
those generated during radio-wave and infra-red data
communications.
[0079] Common forms of computer-readable media include, for
example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape,
or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, a DVD, any other optical
medium, punchcards, papertape, any other physical medium with
patterns of holes, a RAM, a DRAM, a VRAM, a ROM, a PROM, and EPROM,
a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave
as described hereinafter, or any other medium from which a computer
can read.
[0080] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in
carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to
processor 904 for execution. For example, the instructions may
initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The
remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamic memory
and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A
modem local to computer system 900 can receive the data on the
telephone line and use an infra-red transmitter to convert the data
to an infra-red signal. An infra-red detector coupled to bus 902
can receive the data carried in the infra-red signal and place the
data on bus 902. Bus 902 carries the data to main memory 906, from
which processor 904 retrieves and executes the instructions. The
instructions received by main memory 906 may optionally be stored
on storage device 910 either before or after execution by processor
904.
[0081] Computer system 900 also includes a communication interface
918 coupled to bus 902. Communication interface 918 provides a
two-way data communication coupling to a network link 920 that is
connected to a local network 922. As an example, the communication
interface 918 is connected to an antenna and performs wireless
communications to a network, such as Internet ISP 926 or local
network 922. In another example, the communication interface 918
connects to a mobile phone network to complete calls initiated by
the process of the present invention. In still another example,
communication interface 918 is an integrated services digital
network (ISDN) card or a modem to provide a data communication
connection to a corresponding type of telephone line. In yet
another example, communication interface 918 is a local area
network (LAN) card that provides a data communication connection to
a compatible LAN. In any such implementation, communication
interface 918 sends and receives electrical, electromagnetic or
optical signals that carry digital data streams representing
various types of information.
[0082] In a preferred embodiment, the communication interface 918
is a phone device that communicates with a network carrier to make
phone calls, including any of satellite, PCS, cellular, radio,
landline, plain old telephone system (POTS), mobile, and other
communication modes. Incoming call indications (such as incoming
call, caller ID, call status, etc.) are sent from the phone device
to the call device 101 running on the processing unit via the bus
902. Although a bus is shown, any mode of data communication
between the various modules may be provided. The call device 101
initiates calls and directs call operations by sending commands to
the phone device (via the system bus, for example).
[0083] Network link 920 typically provides data communication
through one or more networks to other data devices. For example,
network link 920 may provide a connection through local network 922
to a host computer 924 or to data equipment operated by an Internet
Service Provider (ISP) 926. ISP 926 in turn provides data
communication services through the world wide packet data
communication network now commonly referred to as the "Internet"
928. Local network 922 and Internet 928 both use electrical,
electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams.
The signals through the various networks and the signals on network
link 920 and through communication interface 918, which carry the
digital data to and from computer system 900, are exemplary forms
of carrier waves transporting the information.
[0084] Computer system 900 can send messages and receive data,
including program code, through the network(s), network link 920
and communication interface 918. In the Internet example, a server
930 might transmit a requested code for an application program
through Internet 928, ISP 926, local network 922 and communication
interface 918.
[0085] The received code may be executed by processor 904 as it is
received, and/or stored in storage device 910, or other
non-volatile storage for later execution. In this manner, computer
system 900 may obtain application code in the form of a carrier
wave.
Scope
[0086] In this disclosure, including in the claims, certain process
steps are set forth in a particular order, and alphabetic and
alphanumeric labels may be used to identify certain steps. Unless
specifically stated in the disclosure, embodiments of the invention
are not limited to any particular order of carrying out such steps.
In particular, the labels are used merely for convenient
identification of steps, and are not intended to imply, specify or
require a particular order of carrying out such steps.
[0087] In the foregoing specification, the invention has been
described with reference to specific embodiments thereof. It will,
however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be
made thereto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of
the invention. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to
be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
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