USOO7844037B2
`
`(12) Unlted States Patent
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 7,844,037 B2
`
`Champlin et a].
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Nov. 30, 2010
`
`(54) METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ENABLING
`MESSAGE RESPONSES TO INCOMING
`PHONE CALLS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: David Champlin, Menlo Park, CA (US);
`Srikiran Prasad, Cupertino, CA (US);
`Lang Chen, Oakland, CA (US); Rajan
`Ranga, Palo Alto, CA (US); Robert
`Haitani, Menlo Park, CA (US)
`
`(73 Assignee: Palm, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US)
`
`5,748,100 A *
`............. 340/722
`5/1998 Gutman et a1.
`5,751,707 A *
`5/1998 Voit et a1.
`................... 370/384
`5,805,978 A *
`9/1998 Souissi et a1.
`.............. 340/721
`5,844,967 A * 12/1998 Lee ................
`379/88.23
`
`3/1999 Kaplan ....................... 455/565
`5,884,193 A *
`5,894,505 A *
`4/1999 Koyama .................... 379/67 .1
`5,943,401 A *
`8/1999 Risner et a1.
`379/8822
`
`5,991,290 A * 11/1999 Malik ......................... 370/352
`6,055,305 A "‘
`4/2000 Norman et a1.
`........ 379/211.01
`6,081,845 A *
`6/2000 Kanemaki et a1. ........... 709/238
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject. to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent IS extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 1481 days.
`
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`App]. No.: 11/2003511
`
`Filed:
`
`Aug. 8, 2005
`
`Prlor Publlcatlon Data
`US 2007/0036286 A1
`Feb. 15, 2007
`
`
`
`( *
`
`(21
`
`(22
`
`(65
`
`(51
`
`(58
`
`Int. C1.
`(200601)
`H04M ”64
`(52 US. Cl.
`.............. 379/88.17; 379/88.19; 379/8821;
`379/8822; 455/4121; 705/26; 709/238
`Field of Classification Search ................ 379/67.1,
`379/88.13, 76, 88.19, 88.21, 93.23, 202.01,
`379/257, 88.22, 93.17, 211.01, 215.01, 71,
`379/8823, 88.25, 157, 88.17; 455/4144,
`455/4121, 415a 4453 567; 370/356, 3523
`370/384; 705/26; 709/238, 2063 224; 725/1345
`725/111; 327/108; 340/721, 722; 715/246
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`KR
`
`20060093183 A
`
`8/2006
`
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report and Written Opinion mailed Jan. 29,
`
`2009 for PCT/US2008/074320 14 pgs.
`Primary ExamineriGerald Gauthier
`(74) Attorney, Agent,
`or FirmiMahamedi Paradice
`Kreisman LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A computing device is configured to receive an incoming
`communication from another computing device. The incom-
`ing communication may be for purpose of initiating a voice-
`exchange session. In response to receiving the incoming call,
`the computing device may identify or determine a message
`identifier of the other computing device. The message iden-
`tifier is determined based at least in part on data provided with
`the incoming communication. The computing device may
`programmatically address a message to the other computing
`device using the message identifier determined from the
`incoming communication.
`
`....... 379/157
`5/1990 Morganstein et a1.
`4,922,526 A *
`2/1991 Brunson .................. 379/88.19
`4,996,704 A *
`3/1995 Gilbert et a1.
`..... 379/8823
`5,396,544 A *
`
`5,585,749 A * 12/1996 Pace et a1.
`.................. 327/108
`5,724,408 A *
`3/1998 Morganstein .............. 379/882
`
`RECEIVE INCOMING CALL
`410
`
`
`l 4
` i
`
`25 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`OTHER [IGNOREI
`REPLY)
`4M
`
`
`
`APPLE 1001
`
`
`
`
`
`IDENTIFY CALLER INFORMATION
`20
`
`PRESENT REPLY OPTIONS T0 USER
`430
`
`MESSAGE RESPONSE?
`‘85
`
`‘j
`LAUNCH MESSAGING APPLICA'HON
`l5“
`V
`ADDRESS MESSAGE TO CALLER USING
`CALLER INFORMATION
`
`“0 V
`
`ADDRESS MESSAGE BODY
`‘71]
`
`1 S
`
`END MESSAGE
`‘80
`
`APPLE 1001
`
`1
`
`

`

`US 7,844,037 B2
`
`Page 2
`
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4/2001 Burg ..................... 379/215.01
`6,219,413 B1*
`5/2001 Moganti
`~~~~~
`379/67~1
`6,229,878 131*
`6/2002 Casellini ~~~~~
`~ 379/8817
`6,404,860 B1*
`8/2002 DeJesus et a1.
`.......... 379/88.22
`6,430,271 B1*
`11/2002 Sorkin etal.
`6,484,036 B1
`......... 379/215.01
`6,647,108 B1* 11/2003 Wurster etal.
`370/352
`6,680,935 B1*
`1/2004 Kung etal~ ~
`379/199
`6,697,473 B2*
`2/2004 Ba-tten ..
`37%“
`6,768,789 131*
`7/2004 Wllk ~~~~~~~~~~
`...... 379/76
`6,795,530 B1*
`9/2004 Gilbert et al.
`~ 379/88~17
`6,804,334 B1* 10/2004 Beasley etal.
`455/418
`6,823,184 B1* 11/2004 Nelson .......
`715/246
`6,839,877 B2*
`1/2005 Iwata .........
`370/429
`7,009,990 B1*
`3/2006 AdamsetaL
`~ 455/4121
`7,010,288 B2*
`3/2006 Brown et a1~
`379/22001
`7,027,583 132*
`4/2006 Uranaka etal~
`709/224
`7,051,099 B2*
`5/2006 Ziegler et a1.
`. 379/93.23
`7,136,466 B1* 11/2006 Gao ...........
`. 379/8823
`7,218,710 B1*
`5/2007 Ali et a1.
`379/71
`7,286,649 B1* 10/2007 Nelson etal.
`7,570,747 B2*
`8/2009 Nakatsu .........
`. 379/88.25
`
`. 379/93.17
`7,634,069 B2* 12/2009 Randall etal.
`6/2001 Iwata ......................... 709/206
`2001/0003826 A1*
`
`
`
`
`
`..
`~
`
`................. 370/352
`6/2002 Crain etal.
`2002/0067714 A1*
`.. 455/466
`.
`2002/0187794 A1* 12/2002 Fostick etal.
`
`N 455/445
`2004/0203794 A1* 10/2004 Brown et 31. N
`
`..
`2004/0230494 A1* 11/2004 Lotvin etal.
`705/26
`
`.....
`379/88.19
`2005/0201533 A1*
`9/2005 Emam etal.
`
`9/2005 Candelora et 31.
`N 725/134
`2005/0216949 A1*
`2005/0227740 A1* 10/2005 Orbach ...........
`...455/567
`
`1/2006 Cernohous et 31.
`N 709/238
`2006/0015644 A1*
`
`............. 725/111
`2006/0020993 A1*
`1/2006 Hannum etal.
`2006/0041470 A1
`2/2006 Filho et 31.
`2006/0215829 A1*
`9/2006 Schwartz ............... 379/207.02
`1/2007 Brandt N
`379/88.14
`2007/0003027 A1*
`
`4/2007 Turner
`2007/0081657 A1*
`379/257
`
`...... 370/356
`2007/0121607 A1*
`5/2007
`6/2007 Venkataraman etal.
`2007/0143429 A1
`2007/0258567 A1* 11/2007 Koch ....................... 379/88.21
`. 379/202.01
`2008/0253549 A1* 10/2008 Loveland ..
`
`1/2009 Toorn ......................... 455/415
`2009/0005023 A1*
`2009/0061833 A1
`3/2009 H0 et 31.
`
`FOREIGN pATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`KR
`
`20070078369 A
`
`7/2007
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 2010
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 7,844,037 B2
`
`INCOMWG
`
`
`
`OUTGOWG
`
`MESSAGE
`
`RESPONSE
`
`
`MOBlECOMPUHNG
`DEWCE
`110
`
`MOBlECOMPUflNG
`DEVICE
`120
`
`CALL
`DATA
`212
`
` MESSAGE
`
`RESPONSE
`MODULE
`250
`
`MESS
`CREATION DATA
`222
`
`CONTACT
`DATABASE
`
`23D
`
`
`
`
`
`PHONE
`APPLICATION
`21°
`
`INCOMING
`CALL
`204
`
`MESSAGING
`COMPONENT
`220
`
`MESSAGE
`RESPONSE
`254
`
`MESSAGE
`CONTENT
`242
`
`PROGRAMMATIC
`SOURCE
`244
`
`USER
`202
`
`FIG. 2
`
`3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 2010
`
`Sheet 2 0f4
`
`US 7,844,037 B2
`
`VOICE DATA
`
`362
`
`MESSAGE
`354
`
`COMPUTING DEVICE
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`300
`
`COMPONENTS
`318
`
`
`
`MEMORY
`320
`
`CONTACT INFO
`324
`
`APPLICATION
`INSTRUCT
`322
`
`PHONE]
`
`MESSAGE
`DATA
`
`332
`
`_
`
`DISPLAY
`330
`
`PROCESSOR(S)
`310
`
`MESSAGE
`INPUT
`
`342
`
`INPUT MECHANISMS
`340
`
`FIG. 3
`
`4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 2010
`
`Sheet 3 0f4
`
`US 7,844,037 B2
`
`RECEIVE INCOMING CALL
`
`410
`
`IDENTIFY CALLER INFORMATION
`
`420
`
`PRESENT REPLY OPTIONS TO USER
`
`430
`
`MESSAGE RESPONSE?
`
`435
`
`OTHER (IGNORE/
`REPLY)
`
`440
`
`LAUNCH MESSAGING APPLICATION
`
`450
`
`ADDRESS MESSAGE TO CALLER USING
`
`
`
`CALLER INFORMATION
`
`460
`
`ADDRESS MESSAGE BODY
`
`470
`
`SEND MESSAGE
`
`480
`
`FIG. 4
`
`5
`
`

`

`
`
`
`
`NO MESSAGE
`
`
`MESSAGE ENABLED
`
`
`
`
`CALLER?
`
`
`
`525
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 30, 2010
`
`Sheet 4 0f4
`
`US 7,844,037 B2
`
`IDENTIFY CALLER PHONE NUMBER
`
`510
`
`ACCESS CONTACT DATABASE TO DETERMINE IF
`
`CALLER NUMBER IS MESSAGE-ENABLED
`
`520
`
`
`
`RESPONSE
`
`OPTION
`
`530
`
`
`
`FIG. 5
`
`'
`
`
`
`PROVIDE MESSAGE RESPONSE OPTION
`
`540
`
`CALL
`NOTIFICATION
`606
`
`l
`
`I
`
`l
`
`CALL
`TERMINATION
`
`610
`
`INCOMING
`CALI-
`
`5M5;
`“Call Back Please”
`
`602
`
`608
`
`CALL
`
`NOTIFICATION
`515
`
`I
`
`|
`
`'NCOM'NG
`CALL
`612
`
`l
`
`“Hans oer-will
`an: er”
`w
`618
`
`CALL
`
`PICK-UP
`
`6
`
`

`

`US 7,844,037 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ENABLING
`MESSAGE RESPONSES TO INCOMING
`PHONE CALLS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the field of
`messaging, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus
`for enabling message responses to incoming calls.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`Communication devices have evolved to include numerous
`
`types of communication capabilities and functionality. For
`example, handheld devices exist that operate as cellular
`phones, messaging terminals, Internet devices, while includ-
`ing personal information management (PIM) software and
`photo-management applications. Additionally, Internet Pro-
`tocol services exist
`that can transform Internet-enabled
`
`machines into telephony devices. Even stand-alone tele-
`phones that connect to traditional Public Switched Telephone
`Networks (PSTN) now carry software to assist the user in
`making and managing phone calls.
`Mobile phone networks have traditionally been limited to
`voice communications, but new technologies such as GSM
`(Global System for Mobile Communications) have enabled
`mobile phone networks to also include data communications.
`For example, SMS (Short Message Service) messaging pro-
`vides a software-independent protocol to send short text mes-
`sages composed of either: 160-7 bit characters; 70-16 bit
`characters; or 140 octets of binary data. Individual SMS mes-
`sages thus require a relatively small network bandwidth and
`devices can receive messages, even when connected to a
`voice call. The number of SMS messages a user receives has
`continually increased because many new types of network
`devices have joined mobile phone networks. These devices
`include,
`for example, PDAs, hybrid PDA/mobile phone
`devices, and other text messaging devices using GSM net-
`works. Additionally, PSTN devices also exist that support
`messaging applications such as SMS.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a computing device issuing
`a message response to an incoming caller, according to one or
`more embodiments of the invention.
`
`45
`
`FIG. 2 illustrates components for use in a computing
`device configured according to an embodiment of the inven-
`tion.
`
`FIG. 3 is a hardware diagram for use with one or more
`embodiments of the invention.
`
`FIG. 4 illustrates a message for handling incoming calls
`with message replies, under an embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 5 illustrates an optional process that may be per-
`formed in order to determine or verify that a caller using a
`message-enabled device, under an embodiment of the inven-
`tion.
`
`50
`
`55
`
`FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate timelines for different usage
`scenarios, under one or more embodiments of the invention.
`
`60
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Embodiments described herein enable message replies to
`be made to incoming callers. In an embodiment, a device that
`receives an incoming phone call, for example, may be used to
`transmit a message as a reply to the caller. For example, rather
`
`65
`
`2
`
`than pick up a phone call or forward the phone call to voice-
`mail, the user may simply generate a text (or other form of)
`message to the caller.
`Embodiments of the invention recognize that in some
`cases, a user answering or not answering a phone call is
`inconvenient, either to the recipient of the phone call, or the
`caller, As such, embodiments described herein provide an
`alternative ofmessaging the caller of an incoming phone call,
`rather answering the phone call or forwarding the phone call
`to voicemail.
`
`Embodiments described herein have particular application
`to mobile computing devices that offer voice and data capa-
`bilities on cellular networks. In this context, embodiments
`described herein allow the user of the device handling the
`incoming call to communicate with the caller without actu-
`ally accepting the call. This can save both the caller and the
`recipient time, and “minutes” on their respective cellular
`plans. Furthermore, if the recipient of the incoming call can-
`not accept the incoming call, the recipient is saved the trouble
`ofhaving to respond to a voicemail message or having to find
`the time to return a call.
`While one or more embodiments of the invention are
`described for use with mobile, cellular devices, other tele-
`phony and computing devices are contemplated for use with
`embodiments of the invention. For example, some phones
`that connect to traditional wireline phone networks have
`capability to transmit and receive messages.
`In one embodiment, a computing device is configured to
`receive an incoming communication from another computing
`device. The incoming communication may be for purpose of
`initiating a voice-exchange session. In response to receiving
`the incoming call, the computing device may identify or
`determine a message identifier ofthe other computing device.
`The message identifier is determined based at least in part on
`data provided with the incoming communication. The com-
`puting device may programmatically address a message to the
`other computing device using the message identifier deter-
`mined from the incoming communication.
`According to an embodiment, a computing device is con-
`figured to provide a message reply to an incoming phone call.
`In one embodiment, the computing device identifies a phone
`number ofa caller ofthe incoming call. The computing device
`may prompt the user of the computing device to generate a
`message reply to the incoming phone call. The computing
`device may then initiate the message reply by opening a
`message and addressing the message to the phone number of
`the caller of the incoming phone call.
`A voice-exchange includes any data transfer method in
`which a user’s speech or utterance is transmitted across a
`network to the location of another device or user in real-time
`
`(e.g. instantaneous) or near real-time (e.g. less than three
`seconds). Examples of voice-exchange includes standard
`telephony practice. Another example of voice-exchange is
`when a voice transmission is recorded and transmitted as an
`
`instant message or file to be received and played back at the
`recipient. In the latter case, the recipient may not be able to
`interrupt the speaker, due to time delay, while in the former
`case, the recipient can interact with the speaker as ifthey were
`standing next to each other.
`As used herein, the term “instant message” or “instant
`messaging” means messages that when transmitted to a
`recipient, or rendered on a device of the recipient immedi-
`ately, nearly immediately, or alternatively without user-ac-
`tion.
`
`Numerous types of computer telephony devices exist. One
`type of computer telephony device for use with an embodi-
`ment is a wireless, mobile computing device, sometimes
`
`7
`
`

`

`US 7,844,037 B2
`
`3
`called the “smart phone”. Such devices are generally small to
`fit in one hand, and provide cellular telephony features in
`combination with other applications, such as contact applica-
`tions for managing contact records, calendar applications for
`managing and scheduling events, task applications for keep-
`ing lists, and camera applications for capturing images.
`Another type of computer telephony device contemplated
`with an embodiment is a desktop computer that is configured
`to include real-time voice data exchange (e.g. through use of
`Internet Protocol telephony). Still further, other types of com-
`puter telephony devices exist, including standalone devices
`that connect directly to a telephone network (whether Internet
`Protocol or Public Switch Telephony System) and provide
`software interfaces and applications.
`techniques and
`Embodiments provide that methods,
`actions performed by the communication device are per-
`formed programmatically, or as a computer-implemented
`method. Programmatically means through the use of code, or
`computer-executable instructions. A programmatically per-
`formed step may or may not be automatic.
`One or more embodiments described herein may be imple-
`mented using modules. A module may include a program, a
`subroutine, a portion of a program, or a software component
`or a hardware component capable of performing one or more
`stated tasks or functions. As used herein, a module can exist
`on a hardware component independently of other modules, or
`a module can be a shared element or process ofother modules,
`programs or machines. A module may reside on one machine,
`such as on a client or on a server, or a module may be
`distributed amongst multiple machines, such as on multiple
`clients or server machines.
`Furthermore, one or more embodiments described herein
`may be implemented through the use of instructions that are
`executable by one or more processors. These instructions
`may be carried on a computer-readable medium. Machines
`shown in figures below provide examples of processing
`resources and computer-readable mediums on which instruc-
`tions for implementing embodiments of the invention can be
`carried and/or executed. In particular, the numerous machines
`shown with embodiments of the invention include processor
`(s) and various forms ofmemory for holding data and instruc-
`tions. Examples of computer-readable mediums include per-
`manent memory storage devices, such as hard drives on
`personal computers or servers. Other examples of computer
`storage mediums include portable storage units, such as CD
`or DVD units, flash memory (such as carried on many cell
`phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs)), and magnetic
`memory. Computers, terminals, network enabled devices
`(e.g. mobile devices such as cell phones) are all examples of
`machines and devices that utilize processors, memory, and
`instructions stored on computer-readable mediums.
`FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a computing device issuing
`a message response to an incoming caller, according to one or
`more embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 1, an initiating
`computing device 120 (“calling device”) places a call 112 to
`a recipient computing device 110. Rather than answer the call
`or perform some other action like forwarding the call to
`voicemail, one or more embodiments described herein pro-
`vide that the recipient computing device 110 issues a message
`response 122 to the calling device 120. In one embodiment,
`the message response 122 is an alternative to the user of the
`recipient device 110 having to decline or not answer the
`incoming call 112.
`In an embodiment, the message response 122 is an instant
`message, meaning that the contents of the message are ren-
`dered immediately when received on the calling device 110.
`One implementation provides that a content of the message
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`response is text. For example, the user ofthe receiving device
`110 may insert or compose a text message (e.g. “Call me
`later”). A text message response may be provided using a
`Short Message Service (SMS) format and application. Other
`embodiments provide for other types of content data to be
`included in the message, including MMS (Multimedia Mes-
`saging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), or any
`data protocol capable ofencapsulating messages for transport
`between networked devices. Thus, one alternative implemen-
`tation provides that the user may send an image that commu-
`nicates information. For example, the user may send an image
`of a clock showing a particular time, indicating that user’s
`desire to be called back at a particular time. Still further, the
`user may include audio in the message response 122. For
`example, the user may send a voice blurb or a chime to
`indicate a message to the user of the caller device 120.
`FIG. 1 illustrates implementation of embodiments of the
`invention with cellular telephony devices, since such devices
`normally handle both message transmissions and/or recep-
`tions over cellular networks. However, there are telephones
`VoIP (voice-over IP) phones and phones that connect to Pub-
`lic Switched Telephony Networks (PSTN) that can handle
`messaging. For example, some PSTN phones may support
`SMS message handling. Thus, embodiments of the invention
`may extend to devices and networks other than those that are
`used on cellular networks.
`
`Furthermore, telephone calls are just one example of a
`voice-exchange session. Embodiments of the invention may
`be implemented in the context of other types of voice-ex-
`change sessions. For example, caller device 120 may initially
`communicate a walkie-talkie communication to the recipient
`device 110, for which recipient device 110 sends back, for
`example, a text message response.
`Component Overview
`FIG. 2 illustrates components for use in a computing
`device configured according to an embodiment of the inven-
`tion. In FIG. 2, a computing device 200 includes a phone
`application 210 and a messaging component 220. A message
`response module 250 may be incorporated to operate in con-
`nection with both the phone application 210 and the messag-
`ing component 220. According to an embodiment, the mes-
`sage response module 250 triggers initiation of a message
`response 254 to the incoming call 204. In one implementa-
`tion, computing device 200 corresponds to a hybrid mobile
`device having telephonic and messaging capability over cel-
`lular networks (sometimes called a “smart phone”). The
`phone application 210 may correspond to a software element
`that manages voice data exchanged over one or more wireless
`communication components 318 (see FIG. 3). In one embodi-
`ment, messaging component 220 is an instant messaging
`application.
`One example of a messaging application that is suitable for
`use with an embodiment is an SMS application, for sending
`and receiving text instant messages. Alternative instant text
`messaging applications may also be used. As another
`example, the messaging application 220 may correspond to a
`media-based messaging application, such as a Multimedia
`Messaging Service (MMS) application, for sending and
`receiving image data.
`With reference to FIG. 2, computing device 200 may
`receive an incoming call 204, which is handled by the phone
`application 210. At an initial time, the incoming call 204 may
`include call data 212, which is identified by the phone appli-
`cation 210. In one embodiment, call data 212 includes iden-
`tification information of the caller (e.g. “Caller ID” informa-
`tion). As such, call data 212 may include (i) a name of the
`caller, and/or (ii) a phone number used by the caller. The
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`phone application 210 may identify call data 212 from the
`incoming call 204 while causing transmission of audio rings/
`chimes, rendering of image data containing the Caller ID
`information on a display of the device, and/or other incoming
`call notification (e.g. vibration).
`The act of sending message response 254 to incoming call
`204 may involve the following operations: (i) opening a new
`message for message response 254, (ii) addressing the mes-
`sage, (iii) including a message content 242 or body for the
`message, and (iv) instructing the messaging component 220
`to send the message response. The message response module
`230 may perform at least some of these operations by com-
`municating message creation data 222 to the messaging com-
`ponent 220. The message creation data 222 may be generated
`at one time, or submitted in spurts based on the occurrence of
`other events. As such, some or all of the steps of sending the
`message response 254 may be performed automatically.
`Alternatively, some or all of the steps of sending the mes-
`sage response 254 may be performed automatically, after
`input triggers are provided from the user 202. For example, in
`one case, the user may designate a setting on the computing
`device 200 to handle all incoming calls with a message
`response (e.g. “on vacation”).
`As another alternative, in one implementation, the mes sage
`creation data 222 is generated in response to a trigger from a
`user 202. The phone application 210, message response mod-
`ule 230, or some other component may prompt the user to
`message respond to a caller in response to receipt of call data
`202. The prompt may occur shortly after the incoming call
`204 is received, such as with or before the first “ring” gener-
`ated on the computing device 200 for the incoming call. For
`example, the user may be able to elect message response as
`one option along with other options of answering or declining
`the incoming call 204.
`The message creation data 222 may be based on call data
`212. In one embodiment, the message creation data 222 may
`include (i) control data to cause the messaging application
`220 to open a new message, and (ii) an address along with
`other data/instructions for addressing the newly created mes-
`sage. The message content 242 may be provided by a pro-
`grammatic source 244, and/or by the user 202. In one embodi-
`ment, user 202 provides all of the message content 244. In
`another embodiment, the programmatic source 244 generates
`the content, in response to a user-input or other trigger. For
`example, the programmatic source 244 may generate a macro
`message in response to a user selecting to have incoming call
`202 handled by the message response 254. Alternatively,
`content 242 may be a combination of content provided by the
`programmatic source 244 and the user. For example, the
`programmatic source may provide a template content that the
`user fills in. To illustrate, a portion ofthe message content 244
`may correspond to “please call me in
`minutes.”
`The portion of the message content 244 provided by user 202
`may correspond to “5”.
`An embodiment provides that the address provided by the
`message creation data 222 is a phone number of the incoming
`caller. In one embodiment, no verification or check is per-
`formed to determine if the device used by the caller is mes-
`sage enabled. For example, the user may manually make this
`selection in response to seeing the number being used by the
`caller. Ifthe user recognizes the number as belonging to a cell
`phone, for example, the user may be assured that the caller’s
`device is message-enabled. Otherwise, the message response
`254 may be transmitted, but not received by the caller.
`In another embodiment, a programmatic verification step is
`performed to see ifthe caller’ s device is enabled to receive the
`message response 254. In one embodiment, the message
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`response module 250 (or other programmatic element) may
`match the number of the caller to a field of a given contact
`record stored with a contact database 230 on the computing
`device. If, for example, the contact record information iden-
`tifies the number of the incoming call as belonging to a
`“mobile” number, the messaging response module 250 may
`do one or more ofthe following: (i) provide an indication that
`message response is available, (ii) enable the user to elect
`message response option, and/or (iii) programmatically im-
`tiate a new message addressed to the number of the caller.
`Conversely, if the number of the incoming call is not iden-
`tifiable as being message-enabled, embodiments provide that
`(i) a message or other indication is provided to the user
`warning that the caller’s device is not message enabled, or (ii)
`the message response feature is disabled. One embodiment
`may distinguish between not knowing whether the device of
`the caller can receive messages, and knowing definitively that
`the caller’s device cannot receive incoming messages. For
`example, in the former case, no action may be taken so that the
`message response feature is enabled, or a waming may be
`provided to the user indicating that the caller’s device may not
`be message-enabled. In the latter case, message response may
`be disabled. Numerous other scenarios are possible and con-
`templated under embodiments of the invention.
`Hardware Diagram
`FIG. 3 is a hardware diagram for use with one or more
`embodiments of the invention. In FIG. 3, a computing device
`300 includes one or more processors 310, one or more
`memory components 320, and a display 330. One or more
`communication components 318 may enable receipt of call
`data 204 (FIG. 2), voice exchanges, and message responses
`254 (FIG. 2). In one embodiment, the communication com-
`ponents 318 are for wireless communications, and cellular
`network communications in particular.
`The communication components 318 may configure com-
`puting device 300 to transmit and receive communications on
`Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Global
`System for Mobile Commtmications (GSM) networks, and/
`or other types of cellular networks. The communication com-
`ponents 318 may include a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM)
`card, an input/output controller, a radio frequency transceiver,
`and an input/output controller. Combined, communication
`components 318 may enable voice-exchange, as well as text
`and other kinds of message data exchanges.
`The processors 310 may retrieve from the memory com-
`ponents 320 instructions (“application instructions 322”) for
`executing operations such as described in FIG. 2. With refer-
`ence to FIG. 2. the application instructions 322 may corre-
`spond to execution of phone application 210, messaging
`application 220 and message response module 230. Phone
`and/or message data 332 generated from execution of these
`applications may be signaled to the display 330 so that they
`can be viewed by the user.
`Input mechanisms 340 may enable the user to enter mes-
`sage input 342. The message input 342 may correspond to
`input triggers, corresponding to, for example: (i) decisions of
`the user to message reply to an incoming call, (ii) to include a
`specific pre-formulated message content 242, and/or (iii) to
`send the message response 254. As an alternative or addi—
`tional functionality, message input 342 generated by the input
`mechanisms may include one or more manual entry items,
`including for example: (i) address and/or phone number ofthe
`recipient, and (ii) some or all of the message content 242
`(FIG. 2).
`When used to compose message content 242 (FIG. 2),
`input mechanisms 340 may have any one of a variety of
`forms. For example, input mechanisms 340 may correspond
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`US 7,844,037 B2
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`7
`to a set of hard or soft keys (soft keys may be iconic in form
`and displayed through use of a contact-sensitive display)
`arranged in the form of a QWERTY keyboard or other layout.
`The message input 342 may correspond to alphanumeric
`content, including phrases, keywords, or images that can be
`generated through use of keyboards (e.g. happy face). As
`another example, input mechanism 340 may correspond to a
`microphone, so that the message input is a voice file. Still
`further, the input mechanism 340 may correspond to a camera
`or other image capturing device, which captures an image for
`the message response 354.
`According to one embodiment, components 318 receive
`call data 352 when a phone call or other voice-exchange
`session is initiated. Subsequently, such as in response to a call
`pick-up, voice data 362 may be received and transmitted. In
`one embodiment, a message 354 is transmitted as an alterna-
`tive to the voice data 362 being exchanged. In another imple-
`mentation, the message 354 is provided prior to the voice data
`exchange 362. For example, as described below, transmission
`of message 354 may result in an understanding between the
`caller and the recipient that the call pick-up will be delayed.
`Methodology
`FIG. 4 illustrates a message for handling incoming calls
`with message replies, under an embodiment of the invention.
`An embodiment such as described in FIG. 4 may be per-
`formed using components and elements such as described in
`FIG. 2 and other figures. Accordingly, reference may be made
`to elements of other figures for purpose of illustrating a suit-
`able element or component for performing a step or sub-step
`being described.
`In step 410, an incoming call is received. The call may be
`transmitted over a cellular network, from one mobile device
`to another.
`
`Step provides that caller information is identified on the
`recipient device. This information may correspond to “Caller
`ID” information, which may include a name ofthe caller, and
`a phone number of the device being used to make the call.
`According to one embodiment, reply options are provided
`to the user in step 430. For example, the user may be provided
`the options of answering the call, declining the call, or mes-
`sage responding to the call. Under one implementation, a
`graphic-user interface may be generated to enable the user to
`make the decision on how the call should be answered. The
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`user may signal his or her decision by actuating, for example,
`a soft key that indicates one of the actions.
`A decision is made in step 435 as to whether the user has
`elected the message response. If the message response was
`not elected, step 440 provides an elected or default reply
`action is performed. This may correspond to the phone call
`being answered, or forwarding the phone call to another
`phone number or voicemail.
`Ifthe user makes a decision in step 435 to message reply to
`the incoming call, then step 450 provides that a corresponding
`one of the messaging applications is opened, or otherwise
`presented in a state of use for the user.
`In step 460, a message reply is addressed to the incoming
`caller. This step may include a new message being created and
`then addressed. Alternatively, an existing message (such as
`one stored in a draft folder) may be addressed. In an embodi—
`ment such as shown by FIG. 2, the message response module
`250 may signal control data to the message application 210 to
`cause the message creation, and to cause the message appli-
`cation to use the phone number of the incoming caller in the
`address field of the ne