WO2009023483A1

WO2009023483A1 - Method for organizing communication records on an electronic communication device

Info

Publication number: WO2009023483A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/072263
Authority: WO
Inventors: Li Qiao
Original assignee: Motorola, Inc.
Priority date: 2007-08-10
Filing date: 2008-08-06
Publication date: 2009-02-19
Also published as: EP2186207A1; KR20100054799A; CN101365194A; BRPI0815354A2; RU2010108466A; EP2186207A4; MX2010001621A

Abstract

A method for organizing communication records on an electronic communication device is useful for efficiently displaying and reviewing communication records. The method includes processing incoming communications received from a plurality of contacts (405), and processing outgoing communications transmitted to the plurality of contacts (410). A plurality of electronic folder names is then sorted according to predetermined parameters (415). Each folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names is associated with a contact in the plurality of contacts. The plurality of electronic folder names is then displayed (420). Finally, in response to a selection of a folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names, both incoming communication records of the incoming communications and outgoing communication records of the outgoing communications associated with a contact in the plurality of contacts are displayed (425).

Description

METHOD FOR ORGANIZING COMMUNICATION RECORDS ON AN ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION DEVICE

Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to electronic communication devices and, in particular, to organizing communication records using a plurality of electronic folder names.

Background Mobile telephones are increasingly multi-function devices that can include, in addition to wireless telephony services, functions and applications commonly associated with digital music players, personal digital assistants, handheld recorders, notebook computers, and various other devices. For example, mobile telephones often include applications for electronic address books, media playing, calendaring, personal information management, internet browsing, and processing emails. However, increased functionality often results in more complex devices that are more difficult to operate. For example, some multi-function devices require navigating complex menus or pressing multiple keypad entries to activate specific functions and to review stored information. Organizing communication records on some mobile telephones can be inconvenient and inefficient. Descriptions of predefined folders such as "Inbox", "Outbox", and "Sent Items" folders may be displayed in a fixed order on a communications records menu screen. Incoming messages, such as short messaging service (SMS) messages, are viewable by selecting the "Inbox" folder description and reviewing a list of all received messages arranged in chronological or alphabetical order. Similarly, sent messages are viewable by selecting the "Sent Items" folder description and reviewing a list of all sent messages arranged in chronological or alphabetical order. Locating and displaying a particular message therefore can require reviewing multiple lists of communications. Further, reviewing a history of communications both sent to and received from a single contact can require repetitive switching between menu screens.

Brief Description of the Figures

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, reference will now be made to exemplary embodiments as illustrated with reference to the accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views. The figures together with a detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate the embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, in accordance with the present invention where: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an electronic communication device in the form of a mobile telephone, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of electronic folder names displayed on a display screen of a mobile telephone, according to some embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating both incoming communication records and outgoing communication records displayed on a display screen of a mobile telephone, according to some embodiments of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a general flow diagram illustrating a method for organizing communication records, according to some embodiments of the present invention.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

Detailed Description Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and device components related to organizing communication records on an electronic communication device. Accordingly, the device components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, front and back, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or device that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or device. An element preceded by "comprises a..." does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram illustrates an electronic communication device in the form of a mobile telephone 100, according to some embodiments of the present invention. The mobile telephone 100 comprises a radio frequency communications unit 102 coupled to be in communication with a common data and address bus 117 of a processor 103. The mobile telephone 100 also has a keypad 106 and a display screen 105, such as a touch screen coupled to be in communication with the processor 103.

The processor 103 also includes an encoder/decoder 111 with an associated code Read Only Memory (ROM) 112 for storing data for encoding and decoding voice or other signals that may be transmitted or received by the mobile telephone 100. The processor 103 further includes a microprocessor 113 coupled, by the common data and address bus 117, to the encoder/decoder 111, a character Read Only Memory (ROM) 114, a Random Access Memory (RAM) 104, programmable memory 116 and a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) interface 118. The programmable memory 116 and a SIM operatively coupled to the SIM interface 118 each can store, among other things, an electronic address book and various stored incoming and outgoing communication records concerning, for example, telephone calls, short messaging service (SMS) messages, emails, multimedia messaging service (MMS) messages, and instant messaging (IM) service messages.

The radio frequency communications unit 102 is a combined receiver and transmitter having an antenna 107. The radio frequency communications unit 102 has a transceiver 108 coupled to the antenna 107 via a radio frequency amplifier 109. The transceiver 108 is also coupled to a combined modulator/demodulator 110 that is coupled to the encoder/decoder 111.

The microprocessor 113 has ports for coupling to the keypad 106 and to the display screen 105. The microprocessor 113 further has ports for coupling to an alert module 115 that typically contains an alert speaker, vibrator motor and associated drivers; to a microphone 120; and to a communications speaker 122. The character ROM 114 stores code for decoding or encoding data such as email messages that may be transmitted or received by the radio frequency communications unit 102. In some embodiments of the present invention, the character ROM 114, the programmable memory 116, or a SIM also can store operating code (OC) for the microprocessor 113 and code for performing functions associated with the mobile telephone 100. For example, the programmable memory 116 can comprise record organization computer readable program code components 125 configured to cause execution of a method for organizing communication records.

According to one aspect, embodiments of the present invention therefore include a method for organizing communication records on an electronic communication device such as the mobile telephone 100. The method includes processing incoming communications received from a plurality of contacts, and processing outgoing communications transmitted to the plurality of contacts. A plurality of electronic folder names is then sorted according to predetermined parameters. Each folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names is associated with a contact in the plurality of contacts. The plurality of electronic folder names is then displayed. Finally, in response to a selection of a folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names, both incoming communication records of the incoming communications and outgoing communication records of the outgoing communications associated with a contact in the plurality of contacts are displayed.

Users of an electronic communication device, such as the mobile telephone 100 or a personal digital assistant (PDA), are thus able to conveniently select a single folder to display both incoming and outgoing communication records concerning a given contact. The communication records can further comprise multiple types of communications, such as telephone calls, SMS messages, emails, MMS messages, and IM service messages. Referring to FIG. 2, a diagram illustrates a plurality of electronic folder names 200 displayed on the display screen 105 of the mobile telephone 100, according to some embodiments of the present invention. A new folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names 200 can be generated and displayed automatically when a communication is transmitted to or received from a new contact. For example, a folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names 200 can be automatically generated from an identification of a sender of an incoming communication, or from an identification of a recipient of an outgoing communication.

A record count field 205 adjacent each folder name identifies a total number of communication records associated with a specific folder name. For example, the record count field 205 adjacent the folder name "Robert" indicates that 12 communication records are stored that concern an individual named Robert. New messages to a particular entity identified in the plurality of electronic folder names 200 can be generated by selecting a "compose" button 210. Also, all communication records associated with a folder in the plurality of electronic folder names 200 can be deleted using a "delete" button 215. Other folder names such as a name of a "My sent" folder 220, which includes sent communication records, and a name of a "Personal" folder 225 also can be displayed simultaneously with the plurality of electronic folder names 200. The plurality of electronic folder names 200 can be sorted according to various predetermined parameters. For example, a list of folder names associated with unread incoming communication records and a list of folder names sorted alphabetically can be displayed simultaneously. Thus the folder named "Judy" appears at the top of the plurality of electronic folder names 200, and an associated record count field 205 indicates that 1 of 23 communication records stored in that folder remains unread. The remaining folder names, "Andy", "Father", "James", and "Robert", in the plurality of electronic folder names 200, are associated with previously read communication records, and are thus sorted alphabetically. A time stamp field 230 or a date stamp field 235 also can be used to indicate a time or date, respectively, of when a most recent communication record stored in a particular folder was sent or received. Thus, alternatively, the plurality of electronic folder names 200 can be sorted according to a date and time of a communication record associated with an electronic folder name. Various other features, which are well known in the art, also can be displayed on the display screen 105 simultaneously with the plurality of electronic folder names 200. For example a scroll bar 240 can be used to scroll down and display additional folder names, and a back button 245 can be used to navigate to a previous menu screen.

Referring to FIG. 3, a diagram illustrates both incoming communication records 305 and outgoing communication records 310 displayed on the display screen 105 of the mobile telephone 100, according to some embodiments of the present invention. For example, the elements shown in FIG. 3 can be displayed in response to a selection of the folder name "Andy" in the plurality of electronic folder names 200 shown in FIG. 2. A selection can be executed in various ways, such as by a user clicking on the name "Andy" with a pointer, or processing, using voice recognition software stored in the programmable memory 116, a voice command received at the microphone 120 including an utterance of the word "Andy".

A reply button 315 enables a user of the mobile telephone 100 to compose a reply message to a selected incoming communication record. A delete button 320 enables particular selected incoming communication records 305 or outgoing communication records 310 to be deleted from a memory such as from the programmable memory 116.

The incoming communication records 305 and the outgoing communication records 310 are displayed in chronological order, so as to represent both sides of a conversation. Each of the incoming communication records 305 and outgoing communication records 310 represent simple text messages such as SMS messages. However, according to alternative embodiments of the present invention, incoming communication records and the outgoing communication records can comprise different types of communications. For example, each of the incoming communications and each of the outgoing communications can comprise one of the following: a telephone call; a short messaging service (SMS) message; an email; a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message; and an instant messaging (IM) service message. Incoming communication records thus can include different types of records associated with these different types of incoming communications that employ different communication technologies and standards. For example, a first incoming communication record can comprise an email, a first outgoing communication record can comprise an IM service message, a second incoming communication record can comprise a link to a recording of a telephone call, and a second outgoing communication record can comprise an MMS message, all displayed simultaneously on the display screen 105.

Thus according to some embodiments of the present invention, records of both incoming and outgoing communications to a single contact, received and sent using a variety of different communication technologies and standards, can be reviewed simultaneously on a single display screen of an electronic communication device. To review a chronological history of such different communications, a user is not required to navigate to multiple received mail folders and multiple sent mail folders, where each folder is associated with a specific communication technology. Rather, all the communication records are organized automatically according to the identification of a specific contact, and then chronologically. For example, the identification of a specific contact can be determined automatically to be the recipient of an outgoing communication, and to be the sender of an incoming communication.

Although only two incoming communication records 305 and two outgoing communication records 310 are displayed on the display screen 105 as shown in FIG. 3, a record count field 205 adjacent the folder named "Andy" as shown in FIG. 2 indicates that 42 communication records are accessible using the folder named "Andy". Thus by moving the scroll bar 240 up and down the remaining 38 communication records associated with a contact named "Andy" can be displayed. Referring to FIG. 4, a general flow diagram illustrates a method 400 for organizing communication records, according to some embodiments of the present invention. At step 405, incoming communications received from a plurality of contacts are processed. For example, a plurality of incoming emails, SMS, or MMS messages received from a plurality of contact names identified in an electronic address book of the mobile telephone 100 are processed by the microprocessor 113.

At step 410, outgoing communications transmitted to the plurality of contacts are processed. For example, a plurality of incoming emails, SMS, or MMS messages received from a plurality of contact names identified in an electronic address book of the mobile telephone 100 are processed by the microprocessor 113.

At step 415, a plurality of electronic folder names are sorted according to predetermined parameters, where each folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names is associated with a contact in the plurality of contacts. For example, each folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names 200 is automatically generated when a message is first received from or transmitted to a new contact, and the plurality of electronic folder names 200 is then sorted chronologically, alphabetically, or using a combination of sorting algorithms, such as first sorting according to which folders are associated with unread incoming communication records, and then sorting remaining folders alphabetically.

At step 420, the plurality of electronic folder names are displayed. For example, the plurality of electronic folder names 200 are displayed on the display screen 105 of the mobile telephone 100, as shown in FIG. 2. At step 425, in response to a selection of a folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names, both incoming communication records of the incoming communications and outgoing communication records of the outgoing communications associated with a contact in the plurality of contacts are displayed. For example, in response to a selection of the folder named "Andy" on the display screen 105 as shown in FIG. 2, the incoming communication records 305 and the outgoing communication records 310 are displayed simultaneously on the display screen 105 as shown in FIG. 3.

Advantages of some embodiments of the present invention therefore include enabling communication records stored on an electronic communication device to be efficiently organized according to the names of individual contacts. An electronic folder name associated with an individual contact can be automatically created whenever a communication is sent to or received from a new contact. Thus records of all communications, even communications employing different technologies and standards, such as emails, SMS messages, MMS messages, IM service messages and recorded telephone conversations, which are associated with a particular contact, can be organized under a single folder name. A user of an electronic communication device therefore does not need to switch between different inbox folders and outbox folders in order to review a chronological sequence of communications with a particular contact.

Rather, all communications associated with a particular contact can be associated with a single electronic folder name.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention described herein may be comprised of one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of organizing communication records on an electronic communication device as described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter, signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and user input devices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method for organizing communication records on an electronic communication device. Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims.

Claims

We claim:

1. A method for organizing communication records, the method comprising: processing incoming communications received from a plurality of contacts; processing outgoing communications transmitted to the plurality of contacts; sorting a plurality of electronic folder names according to predetermined parameters, where each folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names is associated with a contact in the plurality of contacts; displaying the plurality of electronic folder names; and displaying, in response to a selection of a folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names, both incoming communication records of the incoming communications and outgoing communication records of the outgoing communications associated with a contact in the plurality of contacts.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying the plurality of electronic folder names comprises: displaying simultaneously a list of folder names associated with unread incoming communication records and a list of folder names sorted alphabetically.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein sorting the plurality of electronic folder names according to predetermined parameters comprises: sorting an electronic folder name according to a date and time of a communication record associated with the electronic folder name.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the incoming communications and the outgoing communications comprise both telephone calls and electronic messages.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the incoming communications and each of the outgoing communications comprise one of the following: a telephone call; a short messaging service message; an email; a multimedia messaging service message; and an instant messaging service message.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein each folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names is automatically generated from a name of a contact associated with one of the plurality of contacts.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein a folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names is automatically generated from an identification of a sender of an incoming communication.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein a folder name in the plurality of electronic folder names is automatically generated from an identification of a recipient of an outgoing communication.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of electronic folder names are automatically displayed on a display screen of an electronic communication device.