U.S. patent application number 14/968055 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-07 for systems and methods for initiating communications with contacts based on a communication specification.
The applicant listed for this patent is Modena Enterprises, LLC. Invention is credited to Christopher M. Amidon, Scott Curtis, Kunal Kandekar, Ravi Reddy Katpelly.
Application Number | 20160100049 14/968055 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46126616 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160100049 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Amidon; Christopher M. ; et
al. |
April 7, 2016 |
Systems And Methods For Initiating Communications With Contacts
Based On A Communication Specification
Abstract
Disclosed herein are methods and systems for initiating
communications with contacts based on a communication
specification. According to an aspect, a method may include
receiving a communication specification. The communication
specification may include identification of one or more contacts, a
communication persistence parameter, a geographic location, an
event, a date, and a communication channel. The method may also
include determining one or more contacts based on the communication
specification. Further, the method may include initiating multiple
communications with the contacts via at least one communication
channel. A communication channel may be a telephone call, an email,
a text message, an instant message, and the like.
Inventors: |
Amidon; Christopher M.;
(Apex, NC) ; Curtis; Scott; (Durham, NC) ;
Kandekar; Kunal; (Jersey City, NJ) ; Katpelly; Ravi
Reddy; (Cary, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Modena Enterprises, LLC |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46126616 |
Appl. No.: |
14/968055 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12962705 |
Dec 8, 2010 |
9215735 |
|
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14968055 |
|
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61309899 |
Mar 3, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/414.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/24 20130101;
H04M 3/42365 20130101; H04L 67/14 20130101; H04M 3/42 20130101;
H04L 67/306 20130101; H04W 76/10 20180201; H04M 3/42093 20130101;
H04M 3/42374 20130101; H04M 3/42059 20130101; H04M 7/006
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04M 3/42 20060101
H04M003/42 |
Claims
1. A method comprising: at a computing device: receiving an input
that specifies an event; determining a plurality of contacts based
on the specified event and a geographic relationship to the event;
in response to the input, initiating a plurality of communications
with the plurality of contacts; determining that one of the
plurality of communications has been accepted by a first recipient
device associated with a first contact, wherein the specified event
is associated with the first contact in response to determining
that acceptance to the one of the plurality of communications has
been received: communicating with the first contact; notifying a
second recipient device associated with the second contact of the
accepted communication; and discontinuing the other initiated
communications, wherein initiating a plurality of communications
comprises initiating a communication with the second contact via
one of the communication channels.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the specified event is associated
with one or more of the at least one contact, a communication
persistence parameter, a date, and a communication channel.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the
plurality of contacts.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving selection of
a subset of the plurality of contacts for communication, and
wherein initiating a plurality of communications comprises
initiating the plurality of communications with the selected subset
of the plurality of contacts.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving selection of
an order for communicating with the selected subset of the
plurality of contacts, and wherein initiating a plurality of
communications comprises initiating the plurality of communications
with the selected subset of contacts in the selected order.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising, in response to
determining that one of the communications has been received
accepted, deleting a history of the other initiated
communications.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein initiating a plurality of
communications comprises initiating the plurality of communications
via at least one of a telephone call, an email, a text message, and
an instant message.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying a user
interface guide, and wherein receiving the input comprises
receiving the input into the user interface guide for specifying
the event.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the
plurality of communication channels.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein determining the plurality of
communication channels comprises determining the plurality of
communication channels based on the specified event.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the specified event is
associated with one or more of the at least one contact, a
communication persistence parameter, a date, and a communication
channel.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the plurality of
contacts comprises determining contacts within a predetermined
distance of the geographic location.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a plurality of
contacts comprises dynamically determining the plurality of
contacts based on the communication specification, and wherein
initiating a plurality of communications comprises dynamically
initiating the plurality of communications with the plurality of
contacts via the plurality of communication channels.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising reinitiating the
plurality of communications until at least one of the
communications is accepted.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising, requesting that the
second recipient device join in the accepted communication in
response to determining that one of the communications has been
accepted.
16. A system comprising: at least a processor and memory; a
communication manager configured to: receive an input that
specifies an event; determine a plurality of contacts based on the
specified event and a geographic relationship to the event;
determine that one of the communications has been accepted by a
first recipient device associated with a first contact, wherein the
specified event is associated with the first contact; control
communication with the first contact; control discontinuation of
the other initiated communications; and a communication interface
configured to: initiate the plurality of communications including
initiating a communication with a second contact via one of the
communication channels; and notify a second recipient device
associated with a second contact of the accepted communication in
response to determining that one of the communications has been
accepted by a first recipient device associated with a first
contact.
17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored
thereon computer executable instructions for performing the
following steps: receiving an input that specifies an event;
determining a plurality of contacts based on the specified event
and a geographic relationship to the event; initiating a plurality
of communications with the plurality of contacts via a plurality of
communication channels in response to the input, including
initiating a communication with a second contact via one of the
communication channels; determining that one of the communications
has been accepted by a first recipient device associated with a
first contact, wherein the specified event is associated with a
first contact; and in response to determining that one of the
communications has been accepted: communicating with the first
contact; notifying a second recipient device associated with the
second contact of the accepted communication; and discontinuing the
other initiated communications, wherein initiating a plurality of
communications comprises initiating a communication with the second
contact via one of the communication channels.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/962,705, which was filed Dec. 8, 2010,
titled "Systems And Methods For Initiating Communications With
Contacts Based On A Communication Specification", which claims the
benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/309,899,
filed Mar. 3, 2010, and titled "Dynamic Updates To Address Book
Contacts: The Handheld As Personal Black Box", the disclosures of
which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their
entireties.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for
initiating communications with one or more contacts.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Many mobile devices, such as smart phones, have been enabled
with functionality for communicating with others using any of
several different techniques. For example, a mobile device may be
used for communicating with another via a voice call, an email, an
instant message, a text message, or a social networking service
(e.g., FACEBOOK.RTM. social networking service). A smart phone may
include an address book application containing contacts, and one of
the contacts may be selected for communication through one of the
communication techniques.
[0004] In an example of communicating with a contact, the user may
open the address book application and select one of the contacts
for communication. Next, the device may present options for
communicating with the selected contact. The user may select to
initiate a telephone call, an email communication, an instant
message, or a text message communication with the selected contact.
If, for example, the selected contact does not answer the telephone
call, the user may leave a voicemail message on an answering
service, or disconnect the call. Afterwards, the user may attempt a
different telephone number or communication technique for reaching
the selected contact. To again try to reach the contact, the user
must select the contact and then select a different communication
technique for communicating with the contact. This process can be
burdensome to users, especially in the case of emergency situations
when it is desired to reach the contact as soon as possible.
Similarly, in the case of attempting to reach multiple contacts,
this process can be even more burdensome to users, because the user
must separately select each contact. Accordingly, it is desirable
to provide improved systems and methods for initiating
communications with contacts.
SUMMARY
[0005] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter.
[0006] Disclosed herein are methods and systems for initiating
communications with contacts based on a communication
specification. According to an aspect, a method may include
receiving a communication specification. The communication
specification may include identification of one or more contacts, a
communication persistence parameter, a geographic location, an
event, a date, and a communication channel. The method may also
include determining one or more contacts based on the communication
specification. Further, the method may include initiating multiple
communications with the contacts via at least one communication
channel. A communication channel may be a telephone call, an email,
a text message, an instant message, and the like.
[0007] According to another aspect, a method may include
communicating with an originator of a communication. For example,
the communication may be a group communication in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure. The method may also include
presenting to a user one or more contacts associated with the
communication. The contacts may be those to which the group
communication is directed. Further, the method may include
receiving user input for joining the contacts to the communication.
The method may also include initiating one or more communications
with the contacts via one or more communication channels in
response to receiving the user input.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of preferred, embodiments, is better understood when
read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purposes of
illustration, there is shown in the drawings exemplary embodiments;
however, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific
methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for receiving a
communication specification, determining one or more contacts based
on the communication specification, and initiating multiple
communications with the one or more contacts via one or more
communication channels according to embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for initiating
multiple communications with one or more contacts according to
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a front view of an exemplary mobile device
including a touch screen display for displaying indicia of an event
specified by a user using a calendar application according to
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a front view of an exemplary mobile device for
allowing a user to modify default settings of a communication
specification for a group call to multiple contacts according to
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a front view of an exemplary mobile device in a
mode for changing communication channels for communicating with a
group according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a front view of an exemplary mobile device in a
mode for changing communication persistence parameters for
communicating with a group according to embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for allowing a
recipient of a communication from an originator of a group
communication to initiate communications with one or more of the
other contacts associated with the group communication according to
embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a front view of an exemplary mobile device
including a display for displaying identifiers for other contacts
associated with a group communication initiated by a mobile device
according to embodiments of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for
dynamically generating a contact group according to embodiments of
the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 10 is a front view of an exemplary mobile device
including a touch screen display for displaying a graphical
representation of a map according to embodiments of the present
disclosure;
[0019] FIG. 11 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for
initiating multiple communications according to embodiments of the
present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 12 is a message flow diagram of an exemplary operation
of the system of FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present
disclosure; and
[0021] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the mobile device 102 shown in
FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] The present disclosure is described with specificity to meet
statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not
intended to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors
have contemplated that the claimed subject matter might also be
embodied in other ways, to include different steps or elements
similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with
other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the term
"step" may be used herein to connote different aspects of methods
employed, the term should not be interpreted as implying any
particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed
unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly
described.
[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure enable a computing
device to receive a communication specification, to determine one
or more contacts based on the communication specification, and to
initiate multiple communications with the contact(s) via one or
more communication channels. Other embodiments of the present
disclosure enable a computing device to communicate with an
originator of a communication, to present to a user one or more
contacts associated with the communication, to receive user input
for joining the contact(s) to the communication, and to initiate
one or more communications with the contact(s) via one or more
communication channels in response to receiving the user input.
Further, other embodiments enable a user to implement other
features of the present disclosure in a computing device as will be
described in further detail herein.
[0024] As referred to herein, the term "computing device" should be
broadly construed. It can include any type of mobile device, for
example, a smart phone, a cell phone, a pager, a personal digital
assistant (PDA, e.g., with GPRS NIC), a mobile computer with a
smart phone client, or the like. A computing device can also
include any type of conventional computer, for example, a desktop
computer, a laptop computer, a netbook computer, a notebook
computer, or the like. A typical mobile device is a wireless data
access-enabled device (e.g., an iPHONE.RTM. smart phone, a
BLACKBERRY.RTM. smart phone, a NEXUS ONE.TM. smart phone, an
iPAD.TM. device, or the like) that is capable of sending and
receiving data in a wireless manner using protocols like the
Internet Protocol, or IP, and the wireless application protocol, or
WAP. This allows users to access information via wireless devices,
such as smart phones, mobile phones, pagers, two-way radios,
communicators, and the like. Wireless data access is supported by
many wireless networks, including, but not limited to, CDPD, CDMA,
GSM, PDC, PHS, TDMA, FLEX, ReFLEX, iDEN, TETRA, DECT, DataTAC,
Mobitex, EDGE and other 2G, 3G, 4G and LTE technologies, and it
operates with many handheld device operating systems, such as
PalmOS, EPOC, Windows CE, FLEXOS, OS/9, JavaOS, iOS and Android.
Typically, these devices use graphical displays and can access the
Internet (or other communications network) on so-called mini- or
micro-browsers (which are web browsers with small file sizes that
can accommodate the reduced memory constraints of wireless
networks), on other client applications accessed via the graphical
displays, on client applications that do not utilize a graphical
display, or the like. In a representative embodiment, the mobile
device is a cellular telephone or smart phone that operates over
GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), which is a data technology
for GSM networks. In addition to a conventional voice
communication, a given mobile device can communicate with another
such device via many different types of message transfer
techniques, including SMS (short message service), enhanced SMS
(EMS), multi-media message (MMS), email WAP, paging, or other known
or later-developed wireless data formats. Although many of the
examples provided herein are implemented on a mobile device, the
examples may similarly be implemented on any suitable computing
device.
[0025] As referred to herein, an "interface" is generally a system
by which users interact with a computing device. An interface can
include an input for allowing users to manipulate a computing
device, and can include an output for allowing the system to
present information and/or data, indicate the effects of the user's
manipulation, etc. An example of an interface on a computing device
(e.g., a mobile device) includes a graphical user interface (GUI)
that allows users to interact with programs in more ways than
typing. A GUI typically can offer display objects, and visual
indicators, as opposed to text-based interfaces, typed command
labels or text navigation to represent information and actions
available to a user. For example, an interface can be a display
window or display object, which is selectable by a user of a mobile
device for interaction. The display object can be displayed on a
display screen of a mobile device and can be selected by, and
interacted with by, a user using the interface. In an example, the
display of the mobile device can be a touch screen, which can
display the display icon. The user can depress the area of the
display screen at which the display icon is displayed for selecting
the display icon. In another example, the user can use any other
suitable interface of a mobile device, such as a keypad, to select
the display icon or display object. For example, the user can use a
track ball or arrow keys for moving a cursor to highlight and
select the display object.
[0026] As referred to herein, a "communication channel" is any
suitable type of connection between computing devices in which data
may be exchanged. For example, a communication channel may be
established between computing devices via a telephone call, an
email communication, a text message communication, an instant
message communication, and the like.
[0027] Operating environments in which embodiments of the present
disclosure may be implemented are also well-known. In a
representative embodiment, a computing device, such as a mobile
device, is connectable (for example, via WAP) to a transmission
functionality that varies depending on implementation. Thus, for
example, where the operating environment is a wide area wireless
network (e.g., a 2.5G network, a 3G network, or a 4G network), the
transmission functionality comprises one or more components such as
a mobile switching center (MSC) (an enhanced ISDN switch that is
responsible for call handling of mobile subscribers), a visitor
location register (VLR) (an intelligent database that stores on a
temporary basis data required to handle calls set up or received by
mobile devices registered with the VLR), a home location register
(HLR) (an intelligent database responsible for management of each
subscriber's records), one or more base stations (which provide
radio coverage with a cell), a base station controller (BSC) (a
switch that acts as a local concentrator of traffic and provides
local switching to effect handover between base stations), and a
packet control unit (PCU) (a device that separates data traffic
coming from a mobile device). The HLR also controls certain
services associated with incoming calls. Of course, the present
disclosure may be implemented in other and next-generation mobile
networks and devices as well. The mobile device is the physical
equipment used by the end user, typically a subscriber to the
wireless network. Typically, a mobile device is a 2.5G-compliant
device or 3G-compliant device or a 4G-compliant device that
includes a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a smart card
that carries subscriber-specific information, mobile equipment
(e.g., radio and associated signal processing devices), a user
interface (or a man-machine interface (MMI)), and one or more
interfaces to external devices (e.g., computers, PDAs, and the
like). The mobile device may also include a memory or data
store.
[0028] The presently disclosed subject matter is now described in
more detail. For example, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system
100 for receiving a communication specification, determining one or
more contacts based on the communication specification, and
initiating multiple communications with the contacts via one or
more communication channels according to embodiments of the present
disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the system 100 includes a mobile
device 102, which may be any type of computing device capable of
receiving communications from another device. The mobile device 102
comprises a number of functional components. This representation of
the mobile device 102 is meant to be for convenience of
illustration and description, and it should not be taken to limit
the scope of the present disclosure as one or more of the functions
may be combined. Typically, these components are implemented in
software (as a set of process-executable computer instructions,
associated data structures, and the like). One or more of the
functions may be combined or otherwise implemented in any suitable
manner (e.g., in hardware, in firmware, in combined hardware and
software, or the like). The mobile device 102 may include a
graphics rendering engine (not shown) for displaying information to
the end user in the usual manner. The mobile device 102 is
Internet-accessible and can interact with a web server 104 using
known Internet protocols such as HTTP, HTTPS, and the like. The web
server 104 is shown as a single device but this is not a
requirement; one or more programs, processes, or other code may
comprise the server and be executed on one or more machines (in one
or more networked locations).
[0029] The operation of the system can be described by the
following example. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile device 102
includes various functional components and associated data stores
103 to facilitate the operation. The operation of the disclosed
methods may be implemented using system components other than as
shown in FIG. 1. The user may use an interface 105 of the mobile
device 102 for interacting with the mobile device.
[0030] In this example system, the mobile device 102 includes a
communication manager 106 configured to use a communication
specification provided by a user to determine one or more contacts,
and to initiate communications with the one or more contacts via
one or more communication channels. For example, the communication
specification may identify one or more contacts, a communication
persistence parameter, a geographic location, an event, a date, a
communication channel, combinations thereof, and the like, which
may be used for determining one or more contacts and/or one or more
communication channels in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure. The communication manager 106 may also be
configured to implement other functions described herein according
to embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0031] The communication manager 106 may be one or more modules
implemented with software and/or hardware configured to initiate
and to receive communications (e.g., telephone calls), as well as
other functions described herein. For ease of illustration, the
communication manager 106 is only graphically shown in FIG. 1 as a
single component of the mobile device 102; although, the
communication manager 106 may be implemented with one or more
combinations of hardware, software, and firmware. In an example of
initiating a communication via a communication channel, a telephone
call can be initiated between the mobile device 102 and another
device (e.g., one of the mobile devices 108) when a call is
initiated at the mobile device 102 (e.g., when a user of the mobile
device 102 dials the phone number of the other device), or when the
mobile device 102 receives a call originating from the other device
(e.g., one of the mobile devices 108) at a geographic location.
Once the call is answered at the receiving end, the call is
considered to be established. The telephone call channel can be
established via suitable network components, such as, but not
limited to, a base station 110, an MSC 112, PSTN 114, and various
other network components, which are not shown herein for ease of
illustration. A wireless input/output (I/O) component 116 or any
other suitable communication interface may be used for
communicating data to other devices and for receiving communication
data from other devices via a network (e.g., PSTN 114) as will be
understood to those of skill in the art. The mobile device 102 may
include an antenna 118 for wirelessly sending and receiving
communications to the base station 110 or any other suitable
communications unit. Other communication channels, such as, for
example, email channels, text message channels, and instant message
channels, may be suitably established in accordance with techniques
as understood by those of skill in the art.
[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method for
initiating multiple communications with one or more contacts
according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In this
example, reference is made to the mobile device 102 shown in FIG. 1
for purposes of illustration; however, reference to the mobile
device 102 should not be construed as limiting, and it should be
appreciated that the method may be implemented by any suitable
computing device.
[0033] Referring to FIG. 2, the method includes receiving a
communication specification (step 200). For example, the
communication specification may include identification of one or
more of a contact(s), a communication persistence parameter, a
geographic location, an event, a date, and a communication channel.
The user of the mobile device 102 may use the interface 105 for
specifying the communication specification. For example, the user
may select a contact group, event, location, or the like. The
communication manager 106 may suitably store data that specifies
the communication specification in the data store 103.
[0034] As an example of receiving a communication specification,
FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an exemplary mobile device 102
including a touch screen display 300 for displaying indicia 302 of
an event specified by a user using a calendar application.
Referring to FIG. 3, the event is a movie with contacts Jim, Bob,
and Sue. In an example, the user may, prior to the time of the
event, decide not to attend due to illness or other reason. As a
result, the user may desire to let at least one contact know that
he will not attend. To initiate a communication to the group of
contacts, the user may touch the "Call" icon 304. In response to
touch of the icon 304, the communication manager 106 may determine
that Jim, Bob, and Sue are associated with the event and initiate
communications with at least one of the contacts in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0035] In a further example of receiving a communication
specification, FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the mobile device
102 shown in FIG. 1 for allowing the user to modify default
settings of the communication specification for a group call to
contacts Jim, Bob, and Sue. For example, referring to FIG. 4, the
display 300 shows a "Contact List" icon 400, a "Map" icon 402, a
"Comm Channels" icon 404, and a "Persistence" icon 406. The
"Contact List" icon 400 has been selected in this step of changing
the settings. In this step, the contacts in the group and a
priority level for the contacts can be modified. The display
interface and the icons represent a user interface guide that may
be presented to a user for prompting user input into the user
interface guide for specifying a communication specification in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The display
300 shows indicia, generally designated 407, for the contacts Bob,
Sue, and Jim. The user may suitably touch portions of the display
300 and/or otherwise suitably interact with the interface 105 to
change or remove the contacts or add other contacts stored in a
contact list on the mobile device 102. A priority order in which
the contacts are to be contacted in a communication with the group
may be set by selecting an "Update Priority" icon 408 or by
otherwise suitably interfacing with the interface 105. A "Place
Call" icon 410 may be selected for initiating communication(s) with
the group. If additional modifications are desired by the user, a
"Next" icon 412 may be selected for moving to a next step for
modifying the default settings.
[0036] In a further example of changing settings of a communication
specification, FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the mobile device
102 in a mode for changing communication channels for communicating
with the group. In this example, the "Comm Channels" icon 404 has
been selected. The user may touch the display 300 for selecting one
or more of the contacts Bob, Sue, and Jim and for selecting one or
more communication channels for communicating with the selected
contact(s). For example, the user may touch an area of the display
300 on or around the contact Bob for selecting the contact. Next,
display 300 will indicate channels associated with the selected
contact via a "check" indicia 500. In this example, a phone call is
associated with the contact as indicated by the check indicia 500.
The user may touch the check indicia 500 to remove that
communication channel for the contact, or touch an "unchecked"
communication channel, such as near "Text Message" or "Instant
Message," for adding the communication channel.
[0037] In yet another example of changing settings of a
communication specification, FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the
mobile device 102 in a mode for changing communication persistence
parameters for communicating with the group. A communication
persistence parameter may include, but is not limited to, a number
of communication attempts for connecting to a contact and a number
or type of communication channels (e.g., calling, emailing, and
text messaging) used for connecting to the contact. The higher the
number of attempts and/or number of communication channels used for
communicating with a contact is associated with a higher
persistence level. Referring to FIG. 6, the user may touch a
"Group" slide 600 for setting a communication persistence parameter
for the entire group of contacts. The slide 600 may be moved to the
left or right for setting the parameter. Persistence for each of
the contacts may be individually adjusted by moving a slide 602 for
a respective contact.
[0038] The settings of the communication specification for the
group may be suitably stored in a computing device. For example,
the settings may be stored in the data store 103 of the mobile
device 102. Prior to initiating communication with a group in
accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, the
communication manager 106 may access the stored settings for use in
initiating communications with the group.
[0039] Now referring again to FIG. 2, the method includes
determining one or more contacts based on the communication
specification (step 202). For example, the communication
specification stored in the data store 103 may specify contacts.
For example, the contacts Bob, Sue, and Jim in the above example
may be identified in a communication specification. The
communication manager 106 may suitably access the data store 103
for retrieving the contacts, including information for
communicating with the contacts, such as, but not limited to,
telephone numbers, email addresses, and the like. The communication
manager 106 may retrieve the communication information needed for
communicating with the contacts from a contact list, or in any
other suitable manner.
[0040] The method of FIG. 2 also includes initiating communications
with the contact(s) via one or more communication channels (step
204). For example, in addition to contacts, the communication
specification may specify communication channels (e.g., telephone,
email, text messaging, and the like) for communicating with the
contacts. Using the specified communication channels, the
communication manager 106 may initiate communications with the
contacts via the communication channels. The communications with
the contacts may be implemented in accordance with the
communication specification. For example, the communications may be
ordered in accordance with the specified priority order for
communicating with the contacts. Further, for example, the
communications may be implemented in accordance with a
communication persistence parameter specified by the communication
specification.
[0041] Continuing the aforementioned example of communicating with
contacts Jim, Bob, and Sue associated with a specified event, the
communication manager 106 may access telephone numbers for the
contacts and may use the telephone numbers for initiating calls to
the contacts in a specified order or simultaneously. In an example,
Bob may be the first contact to answer a call. The user may then
speak with Bob about the event. In response to one of the contacts
answering, the communication manager 106 may terminate the other
calls to Jim and Sue. Bob may then use his computing device for
communicating information about the event in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, FIG. 7
illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method for allowing a
recipient of a communication from an originator of a group
communication to initiate communications with one or more of the
other contacts associated with the group communication.
[0042] The method of FIG. 7 may be implemented by a communication
manager residing on a mobile device that is a recipient of one of
the communications to a group of contacts in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the mobile
device 102 shown in FIG. 1 may initiate communications to several
other mobile devices 108. Referring to FIG. 7, a mobile device may
communicate with an originator of a communication (step 700). For
example, one or more of the mobile devices 108 may receive a group
communication as described herein and may include a communication
manager 106 configured to implement functions in accordance with
the present disclosure. Continuing the aforementioned example of
the group communication associated with Bob, Sue, and Jim, the
recipient of a group communication is Bob, who may be a user of one
of the mobile devices 108.
[0043] The method of FIG. 7 includes presenting to a user one or
more contacts associated with a communication (step 702). For
example, the mobile device 108 used by Bob may display identifiers
for other contacts associated with the group communication
initiated by mobile device 102. The mobile device 108 may have
stored in a data store the identifiers for the other contacts, or
receive such information from the mobile device 102. In accordance
with embodiments of the present disclosure, the mobile device 108
may be aware of other contacts involved in the group communication.
In an example, regardless of the communication channel, the mobile
device 102 of the message originator may send the contact
information directly to each recipient's mobile device 108. This
example may be implemented as a direct peer-to-peer communication
between client applications running on the mobile devices. The
communication manager 106 on the recipient's mobile device 108 may
receive the contact information, store the information, and display
the information to the user immediately or upon request. In another
embodiment of the present disclosure, the technique of
communicating the contact information may vary depending on the
type of communication channel. For example, if the communication
channel is a text message or an instant message, the contact
information may be embedded within the message or sent as a
subsequent message.
[0044] FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the mobile device 108
including a display 300 for displaying identifiers for other
contacts associated with the group communication initiated by
mobile device 102. Referring to FIG. 8, indicia 800 for Sue and
Jim, the other contacts associated with the group, are displayed.
The display 300 may also display text indicating that the group
call from Joe has completed, and text querying whether to follow up
with other contacts (or participants). Thus, the display 300 may
present one or more contacts associated with the group call.
[0045] Referring again to FIG. 7, the method may include receiving
user input for joining the contact(s) to the communication (step
704). For example, the user may use the interface 105 for selecting
one or more of the contact identifiers to join the selected
contacts to a communication.
[0046] In the example of FIG. 8, the user may touch one or both of
the contacts (i.e., Sue and Jim) to select the contact for joining
a communication. The user may also touch one or more of a "Send IM"
icon 802, a "Send Text" icon 804, and a "Conf Call" icon 806 for
selecting a communication channel for joining selected contact(s)
to the communication. For example, by selecting the "Send IM" icon
802, instant message communication to the selected contact(s) may
be initiated. In another example, by selecting the "Send Text" icon
804, text messaging communication to the selected contact(s) may be
initiated. In another example, by selecting the "Conf Call" icon
806, a telephone conference call communication to the selected
contact(s) may be initiated. When the user desires to exit this
display screen, he or she may select the "Done" icon 808.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 7, the method may include initiating one
or more communications with the contact(s) via one or more channels
in response to receiving the user input (step 706). For example,
continuing the example of FIG. 8, one of the mobile devices 108 may
initiate communication(s) to selected contacts (e.g., Sue and/or
Jim) via the selected communication channel(s) (e.g., instant
messaging, text messaging, and/or telephone call). The
communication(s) may be initiated in response to the user touching
one or more of the icons 802, 804, and 806.
[0048] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,
the communication manager 106 may dynamically generate a contact
group based on an identified event and/or contact. For example,
FIG. 9 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method for
dynamically generating a contact group according to embodiments of
the present disclosure. The method may be implemented, for example,
by the communication manager 106 of the mobile device 102.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 9, the method includes receiving
identification of an event and/or contact (step 900). For example,
a user of a mobile device, such as mobile device 102 shown in FIG.
1, may interact with the mobile device to identify an event
specified via a calendar application. The event may be associated
with one or more contacts. In another example, the user of a mobile
device may interact with the mobile device to identify one or more
contacts stored in a contact management application. The mobile
device user may desire to communicate with a group of contacts
associated with the identified event and/or identified contact. In
an example use, the mobile device user may be involved in an
emergency event and desire to efficiently communicate with others
about the emergency.
[0050] In an example of receiving identification of a contact, the
mobile device user may launch a contact application and select a
particular contact entry. When the selected contact entry is
presented on a display of the mobile device, the display may also
display a "Find related contacts" icon that may be selected for
presenting to the user one or more other contacts associated with
the selected contact. The associated contacts may be contacts who
have been specified as friends of the selected contact. In an
example, the associated contacts may be specified as "related" to
the selected contact when the selected contact's address book was
imported to the address book of the user's mobile device. Friends
may be identified by use of a social networking service, such as,
but not limited to, the FACEBOOK.RTM. social networking
service.
[0051] The method of FIG. 9 includes receiving identification of a
geographic location (step 902). For example, the user of a mobile
device may desire to filter contacts based on a specified
geographic location. The user may interface with a mapping
application residing on the mobile device to select a position on a
displayed map, enter an address, or specify coordinates for
identifying the geographic location. In an example, the user may
identify a physical location (e.g., a business or school) and
specify a distance from the school such that the geographic
location will be identified as the physical location and an area
within the specified distance from the physical location.
[0052] The method of FIG. 9 includes determining one or more
contacts within a predetermined distance of the geographic
location, and/or one or more contacts associated with the
identified event and/or contact (step 904). In an example of
determining contacts within the predetermined distance of the
geographic location, the communication manager 106 shown in FIG. 1
may use the identified geographic location from step 902 for
finding contacts within the identified geographic location. For
example, contacts may share their geographic location with the
mobile device 102, and this information may be stored in the data
store 103. In another example, contacts may utilize a location
sharing service, such as, but not limited to, GOOGLE.RTM. Latitude
or LOOPT.RTM. applications, and the mobile device 102 may query the
service to discover their location. The identified geographic
location may be compared to the geographic location information
provided by the contacts or a server for determining whether the
contacts are within the geographic location, or a predetermined
distance from the geographic location.
[0053] In another example of determining contacts within the
predetermined distance of the geographic location, a map
application may control the mobile device to display a map. The map
may also specify current geographic locations of contacts. For
example, FIG. 10 illustrates a front view of an exemplary mobile
device 102 including the touch screen display 300 for displaying a
graphical representation 1000 of a map. Such a graphical
representation of a map may be displayed and enabled for operation
in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure by
touching the "Map" icon 402. The "Map" icon 402 may be selected for
specifying a geographic location and/or contacts that may be used
in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0054] Particularly, for example, the user may interact with the
map representation 1000 (e.g., by touch) for controlling a size and
dimension of a shape 1002 to specify a geographic location.
Although the shape 1002 is depicted as a circle shape in the
figure, it may alternatively be any other suitable shape. The
geographic location may be the area inside the shape 1002 and/or
areas within a predetermined distance of the shape 1002. In
response to the user specifying the shape 1002, current locations
1004 of contacts within or near the specified geographic location
may be displayed. The user may interact with the mobile device 102
to select the contacts in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure.
[0055] Returning to FIG. 9, in an example of determining contacts
associated with the identified event and/or contact, the contacts
may be those contacts identified as attending or otherwise
participating in the event identified in step 900. The contacts
associated with the identified contacts may be, for example, but
not limited to, contacts specified as friends of the identified
contacts.
[0056] The method of FIG. 9 may include initiating communications
with the contact(s) via one or more communication channels. For
example, communications in accordance with embodiments of the
present disclosure may be initiated with the contacts determined in
step 904. Further, for example, the communications may be in
accordance with communication persistence parameters, communication
channels, and/or other factors specified by the user in accordance
with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0057] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a user
of the mobile device 102 may use an application (often referred to
as an "app") residing on the mobile device 102 to interact with the
communication manager 106 via the interface 105 for implementing
the functions according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
The application may reside on the mobile device 102 and may be a
part of the communication manager 106. The user may, for example,
input commands into the interface 105 for specifying, for example,
contacts, events, and geographic locations in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure. The application may have
been downloaded from a web server, such as a server 104, and
installed on the mobile device 102 in any suitable manner. The
application may be downloaded to another machine (such as the
mobile phone user's PC) and then transferred to the mobile device
over a medium such as a Bluetooth connection. In an example, the
application can enable the mobile device 102 with one or more of
the features according to embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0058] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,
contacts and/or communication channels may be dynamically
generated. For example, a user may select one or more contacts and,
in response to the selection, communications to the contacts may be
initiated by a mobile device. In another example, a user may select
a calendar event and, in response to the selection, communications
to contacts associated with the event may be initiated by a mobile
device. In another example, a user may select a geographic location
and, in response to the selection, communications to contacts
located at the geographic location or in proximity to the
geographic location may be initiated by a mobile device. In yet
another example, a user may select a contact and, in response to
the selection, communications to contacts associated with the
selected contact may be initiated. The contacts may be associated
with communication channels (e.g., a contact entry for the contact
may specify phone numbers and email addresses), and communications
with the contacts via these communication channels may be
automatically initiated. The communication manager 106 may be
configured to automatically monitor for these selections and to
prompt a user to authorize initiation of the communications. In
response to authorization from a user, the communications may be
initiated.
[0059] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a
contact may be associated with various identifiers for
communicating with the contact. For example, an entry for a contact
in an address book may specify a primary telephone number, one or
more alternate telephone numbers, and identifications for other
communication channels (e.g., email address, instant messaging
identification, social networking identification, and the like).
Further, the entry may specify a preferred communication channel.
When a communication is initiated to the contact in accordance with
embodiments of the present disclosure, the preferred communication
channel may be used for communicating with the contact. The
preferred communication channel may be overridden by the
communication originator and/or the communication manager 106 based
on known availability/presence of the user on a communication
channel. For example, if the user is known to be available on a
communication channel, such as by having a status for an instant
messaging application set to "available", this communication
channel may be used rather than the preferred communication channel
for communicating with the contact.
[0060] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,
contact groups (e.g., members of a household, a group of friends,
etc.) may be specified by the user for communications. Further, the
contacts may be prioritized or otherwise ordered for communications
when communications to the group are initiated.
[0061] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,
the communication manager 106 may attempt to consolidate
communications by searching for communication channels that are
common to two or more contacts in the contact group. For example,
spouses may share a common telephone number, such as their house
telephone. This common communication channel may be used for
communicating to the two or more contacts. This common
communication channel may be used as opposed to any preferred
communication channel for the contacts. After attempting
communication to the contacts on this common communication channel,
the other channels associated with the contacts may be used for
communications.
[0062] The communication manager 106 may perform optimizations of
communications based on previous communications to a contact. For
example, the communication manager 106 may learn, based on previous
communications, that a communication channel is likely to not be
answered or encounter an answering service. In this example, this
communication channel may be prioritized last among the
communication channels available for a contact. In another example,
the communication manager 106 may learn that response to a
particular communication channel is likely to be the quickest among
the communication channels specified for a contact. In this
example, this communication channel may be prioritized first among
the communication channels available for a contact. In yet another
example, the communication manager 106 may determine the priority
of a communication channel based on the current context of the
contact. For instance, a contact located in an area having poor
cellular signal reception may assign a lower priority to a cellular
communication channel. The communications may be performed in a
sequential mode or a parallel mode depending upon urgency, for
example.
[0063] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a
plurality of communications may be initiated with one or more
contacts, and, when one of the communications is accepted, one or
more of the other communications may be discontinued. For example,
FIG. 11 illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method for
initiating multiple communications according to embodiments of the
present disclosure. In this example, reference is made to the
mobile device 102 shown in FIG. 1 for purposes of illustration;
however, reference to the mobile device 102 should not be construed
as limiting, and it should be appreciated that the method may be
implemented by any suitable computing device.
[0064] Referring to FIG. 11, the method includes selecting one or
more contacts for a group call (step 1100). For example, the user
of the mobile device 102 may use the interface 105 to select one or
more contacts in an address book. The communication manager 106 may
initiate the group call in response to selection of the contact(s)
and implement some or all of the steps of this exemplary method.
Although this example is in the context of telephone communication,
the example is similarly applicable to the various other
communication channels described herein. The communication manager
106 may work together with an appropriately-configured server, such
as the server 104, for implementing the steps described herein,
including the steps of communicating in parallel to other mobile
devices 108.
[0065] The method includes prioritizing the selected contact(s)
(step 1102). The ordering of the communications with the contacts
may be set by the mobile device user. Alternatively, the ordering
may be implemented by the communication manager 106 in accordance
with embodiments of the present disclosure. Next, the first contact
in the priority order is accessed (step 1104), and a
preferred/optimal telephone number is obtained and a call to the
contact initiated using the telephone number (step 1106). The
priority order may correspond to a preferred order in which
communications to contacts is initiated. For example, the contacts
may be ordered and communications to them initiated in a
predetermined order for sequential communication to the contacts.
Alternatively, communications to the contacts may be initiated
simultaneously. In another alternative, the contacts may be
categorized in subsets, which may be given a priority order. In
this alternative, communications with contacts within the same
subset are initiated simultaneously.
[0066] At step 1108, the method includes determining whether
another contact is in the group. In response to determining that
there is another contact, the next contact in the list is accessed
(step 1110), and the next contact is called in a return to step
1106.
[0067] In response to determining that there is no other contact in
the group, the method includes determining whether an answer to any
call is received (step 1112). The communication manager 106 may
check for the call answers for a predetermined time period before
determining that there is no answer to the calls. The calls may be
reinitiated a predetermined number of times until at least one of
the calls is accepted. In response to determining that there is an
answer to a call, the answered call can be connected (step 1114).
In an embodiment, in response to determining that there is an
answer to a call, the other contacts may be notified that the call
has been accepted by a suitable communication channel. Next, at
step 1116, the other calls may be disconnected. Thus, the other
call attempts may be canceled, and the call attempt histories may
be deleted.
[0068] In response to determining that there is no answer to the
calls, the first contact in the list may be accessed (step 1118)
and an alternate telephone number for the contact number may be
retrieved and a call to the contact initiated using the alternate
telephone number (step 1120). In an example, the first contact may
be the first contact in a priority order for sequential
communication as described herein. In an alternative example,
communications may be simultaneous to the contacts, or in
accordance with contact subsets as described herein.
[0069] After step 1120, the method may include determining whether
there is another contact (step 1122). In response to determining
that there is another contact, the next contact in the list is
accessed (step 1124), and the next contact is called in a return to
step 1120. In response to determining that there is no other
contact in the group at step 1122, the method includes determining
whether an answer to any call is received (step 1126). If an answer
is received, the process proceeds to step 1114. If no answer is
received, the process proceeds to step 1116. It should be noted
that although this example is based on calls, any other suitable
communication channel or combination of communication channels may
be utilized.
[0070] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,
when a communication (e.g., a telephone call) is answered by one of
the contacts in a group communication, the communications to the
other contacts may be disconnected. If two or more of the contacts
answer before the communication is disconnected, the communication
manager 106 may control the communications systems of the mobile
device 102 to join the answering contacts in a conference call. As
another example, if the communications are instant messages, the
communication manager 106 may control the communications systems of
the mobile device 102 to join the answering contacts in an instant
messaging session. In a further example, if there is an active
telephone call and an instant messaging session, the telephone call
may be left open, and a second instant message may be sent to the
other contact to notify the respective contact that the originator
of the instant message is involved in a telephone call, and it may
specify the participants of the telephone call.
[0071] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure, a
persistence level for a communication persistence parameter may be
assigned for a contact group as a whole, or individually to members
of the contact group. A "high" persistence level may be associated
with the following processes for communicating with a group:
attempt all contacts simultaneously; attempt all communication
channels simultaneously together or in part; and, if no response to
communications, reinitiating the communications after a
predetermined time period. A "low" persistence level may be
associated with the following processes for communicating with a
group: attempt one contact, one communication channel at a time;
try only one communication channel per user (e.g., try the most
likely communication channel for reaching the contact); and not
attempting another communication attempt for one or more of the
contacts. Any of these tactics for communicating may be specified
and/or configured by a mobile device user.
[0072] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,
communications initiated in connection with a group communication
may be terminated if one or more contacts answer, and the histories
of the communications may be deleted. Further, for example, a
message may be automatically sent to such contacts indicating that
further communication is unnecessary. In an example of terminating
an instant messaging communication, the originator may send another
instant message, which when received by the recipient, removes the
previous instant message and the current instant message.
[0073] In accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure,
users may have multiple communication channels available for
communicating with one or more contacts in a group. The
communication channels may be prioritized based on, for example,
but not limited to, known presence information, historical
information, a likelihood of making contact using the communication
channel, and a current context of the user (e.g., driving an
automobile).
[0074] FIG. 12 illustrates a message flow diagram of an exemplary
operation of the system of FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the
present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 12, the mobile device 102 may
initiate a group communication including initiating a communication
to the mobile device 108 (step 1200). In this example, the mobile
device 102 originates the communication. The group communication
may also include the initiation of communications to other
computing devices (not shown). In accordance with embodiments of
the present disclosure, contacts associated with the group
communication may be presented to the user of the mobile device
108. The mobile device 108 may be aware of other contacts involved
in the group communication. In response to receiving the
communication and determining contacts associated with the group
communication, the mobile device 108 may present the contacts to a
user of the mobile device 108 for requesting user input about
whether to join the contacts in a group communication. The user may
use an interface of the mobile device 108 for selecting to join the
contacts in a group communication. In response to receiving the
user input to join the contacts in the group communication, the
mobile device 108 may initiate communications 1208, 1210, and 1212
with computing devices 1202, 1204, and 1206, respectively, for
joining the mobile devices in a group communication, such as, but
not limited to a group call. As an example, if one or more
computing devices 1202, 1204, and 1206 are mobile telephones, the
telephone numbers of these computing devices may be identified in a
contact list residing on the mobile device 108. The computing
devices may be, but are not limited to, mobile devices, computers,
smart phones, cell phones, PDAs, and the like.
[0075] FIG. 13 is a block diagram of the mobile device 102 shown in
FIG. 1 according to embodiments of the present disclosure.
Referring to FIG. 13, the mobile device 102 may include a control
system 1300 having associated memory 1302. In this example, the
communication manager 106 is implemented in software and stored in
the memory 1302. However, the present disclosure is not limited
thereto. The communication manager 106 may be implemented in
software, hardware, or a combination thereof. In addition, the
mobile device 102 may include one or more digital storage devices
1304 such as, for example, one or more hard disk drives. The mobile
device 102 may also include a communication interface 1306
communicatively coupled to the base station 110 shown in FIG. 1.
The mobile device 102 may also include the user interface 105,
which may include components such as, for example, a display, one
or more user input devices, or the like.
[0076] The various techniques described herein may be implemented
with hardware or software or, where appropriate, with a combination
of both. For example, the mobile device 102 shown in FIG. 1 may
include suitable hardware, software, or combinations thereof
configured to implement the various techniques described herein.
The methods and apparatus of the disclosed embodiments, or certain
aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code
(i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy
diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any other machine-readable
storage medium, wherein, when the program code is loaded into and
executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an
apparatus for practicing the presently disclosed subject matter. In
the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the
computer will generally include a processor, a storage medium
readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile
memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device and at
least one output device. One or more programs are preferably
implemented in a high level procedural or object oriented
programming language to communicate with a computer system.
However, the program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine
language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled
or interpreted language, and combined with hardware
implementations.
[0077] The described methods and apparatus may also be embodied in
the form of program code that is transmitted over some transmission
medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber
optics, or via any other form of transmission, wherein, when the
program code is received and loaded into and executed by a machine,
such as an EPROM, a gate array, a programmable logic device (PLD),
a client computer, a video recorder or the like, the machine
becomes an apparatus for practicing the presently disclosed subject
matter. When implemented on a general-purpose processor, the
program code combines with the processor to provide a unique
apparatus that operates to perform the processing of the presently
disclosed subject matter.
[0078] While the embodiments have been described in connection with
the preferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be
understood that other similar embodiments may be used or
modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment
for performing the same function without deviating therefrom.
Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should not be limited to any
single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and
scope in accordance with the appended claims.
* * * * *