*
`
`PTO/SB/16 (10-01)
`Approved for use through10/31/2002, OMB 0651-0032
`US. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection ofinformation unlessit displays a valid OMB contro! number,
`PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT COVER SHEET
`This is a requestfor filing a PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENTunder 37 CFR 1.53(c).
`
`Express Mail Label No.
`
`Oclwi
`
`9ggct
`
`
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`
`Customer Number
`
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` Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27.
`FILING FEE
`[7]
` Acheck or moneyorderis enclosed to coverthefiling fees
`AMOUNT ($)
`
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`[ The Commissioner is hereby authorized to chargefiling
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`
`fees or credit any overpaymentto Deposit Account Number; i=} $80.00
`Paymentby credit card. Form PTO-2038 is attached.
`
`
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`The invention was made by an agencyof the United States Governmentor under a contract with an agencyof the
`tlw States Government.
`No,
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`
`[7] Yes, the nameof the U.S. Government agency and the Governmentcontract numberare:
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`Date
`|12/03/20036:biGFenn
`SIGNATURE
`A torn
`S
`REGISTRATION NO.
`32,947
`. Douglass Thomas
`(if appropriate)
`TYPED or PRINTED NAME
`Docket Number:
`IPVMAPO03P
`TELEPHONE 408.446.3333
`USE ONLY FOR FILING A PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT
`Thiscollection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.51. The information is used by
`the public to file (and by the PTOto process) a
`Provisional application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 8 hours to
`complete,including gathering, preparing, and submitting the complete provisional apprcabnns to the PTO, Time will vary
`depending upon
`the individual case.
`comments on the amountof time you require to complete this form and/or suggestions for reducing this burden,
`should be sent to the
`Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, U.S. De; anmant of Commerce, Washington, D.C.
`20231. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMS TO THIS ADDRESS. SEND TO: Box Provisional Application, Assistant
`Commissionerfor Patents, Washington, D.C. 20231.
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 1
`Page 1
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`
`
`
`60452
`PMETHEINVENTION(S00charactorsmax)
`ADAPTABLE COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
`
`
`
` Direct all correspondence to:
`
`CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`
`—__»
`34071
`
`Residence
`(City and either State or Foreign Count
`
`Campbell, CA USA
`
`Mountain View, CA USA °
`
`5 LO
`
` 5
`
`
`
`CG
`— Given Name(first and middle[if any])
`C. Douglass
`
`Peter P.
`
`INVENTOR(S)
`
`Family Name or Surname
`
`Tong
`
`

`

`ADAPTABLE COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES
`FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001]
`
`The presentinvention relates to electronic devices and, more
`
`particularly, to communication techniques for electronic devices.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0002]
`
`Typically, to participate in wireless communications, a user holds a
`
`mobile phone(e.g., wireless or a cellular phone) against his ear to hear an audio
`communication received in a wireless manner. The user usually also speaks
`towards a microphone embeddedin the mobile phoneto participate in the audio
`communication, again in a wireless manner. More recently, to facilitate hands-free
`operation of mobile phones, head-sets have been produced andutilized. Typically,
`a headsetclips over or into an ear of the user to provide a speaker and a
`microphonein proximity to the ear and the mouth, respectively,of the user.
`Traditionally, the head-set was connected to the mobile phonebya cord (i.e., wire).
`In recent times, head-sets have been developed to operate in a wireless manner,
`without the need of a cord connected to the mobile phone. For example, one
`popular type of wireless head-set uses Bluetooth wireless transmissionsto
`
`communicate between the head-set and the corresponding mobile phone.
`[0003]
`Mobile phonesoften support both voice calls and text messaging.
`Whenthe user does not make use of a head-set, the user often holds the mobile
`phone against their ear whenparticipating in a voice call. One problem this presents
`is that the user is not able to see the screen of the mobile phone. As a result, the
`userhasdifficultly interacting with the keypad or screen of the mobile phone when
`the mobile phoneis held against the user's head. Alternatively, when the userof a
`mobile phone makesuseof a head-set, the user can receive and participate in voice
`
`Patent Application
`
`I
`
`Docket No.: IPVMAP03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 2
`Page 2
`
`

`

`calls in a hands-free manner. Unfortunately, however, the user would need to view
`
`a screen of the mobile phoneto participate in text messaging.
`
`[0004]
`
`Accordingly, there is a need for improved wireless communication
`
`techniques for users of mobile communication devices.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The invention pertains to improved approachesfor users of electronic
`[0005]
`devices to communicate with one another. The electronic devices have audio and/or
`
`textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to
`
`communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences,
`
`prior history, etc.
`
`In one embodiment, the communication between usersis
`
`achieved by short audio or textual messages.
`
`Accordingto a first aspect, improved approaches to respond to
`[0006]
`incoming voice calls are disclosed. The improved approachesenablea called party
`to provide someinformationto a calling party without directly engagingin a voice call
`with the calling party. The called party can choosenotto take the voice call from the
`
`calling party. Instead, the called party can provide the calling party with somelimited
`information. The limited information can be provided in an audio or textual format.
`In one embodiment, the limited information provides thecalling party with feedback
`as to why the voice call was not taken.
`
`According to a second aspect, improved approachesto respond to an
`[0007]
`incoming text message are disclosed. The improved approachesenable a recipient
`to provide a reply messageto aninitiator. The incoming text message can be
`presented to the recipient with an audio or textual presentation. Thereafter, a reply
`text message can be sent backtothe initiator. The recipient can form the reply text
`messageby recording a brief audio messageor entering a text message.
`In the
`case in which a brief audio messageis used, the audio message can be
`automatically converted to a text messagebefore being transmitted to theinitiator.
`
`Patent Application
`
`2
`
`Docket No.: IPVMAP03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 3
`Page 3
`
`

`

`The electronic device can be a computing device, such as a personal
`[0008]
`computer, a personaldigital assistant, or a communications device. One example of
`
`a communications device is a mobile telephone.
`
`[0009]
`
`The invention can be implemented in numerous ways,including as a
`
`method, system, device, apparatus, and a computer readable medium. Several
`
`embodiments of the invention are discussed below.
`
`(0010)
`Other aspects and advantagesof the invention will become apparent
`from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings whichillustrate, by way of example,the principles of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0011]
`
`The invention will be readily understood by the following detailed
`
`description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, whereinlike reference
`
`numerals designate like structural elements, and in which:
`
`[0012]
`invention.
`
`FIG. 1 is a communication system according to one embodimentof the
`
`FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a personal call response process according
`[0013]
`to one embodimentof the invention.
`
`[0014]
`
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an audio message response process
`
`according to one embodimentofthe invention.
`
`[0015]
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a text message response process
`
`according to one embodimentofthe invention.
`
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an automated call response process
`[0016]
`according to one embodimentofthe invention.
`
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of a message presentation process according
`[0017]
`to one embodiment of the invention.
`
`FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a reply message process according to one
`[0018]
`embodimentof the invention.
`
`Patent Application
`
`3
`
`Docket No.; IPVMAP03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 4
`Page 4
`
`

`

`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`(0019)
`
`The invention pertains to improved approachesfor users of electronic
`
`devices to communicate with one another. The electronic devices have audio and/or
`
`textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to
`
`communicatein different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences,
`prior history, etc.
`In one embodiment, the communication between users is
`
`achieved by short audio or textual messages.
`
`The electronic device can be any computing device having
`[0020]
`communication capabilities. Such computing devices can be referred to as
`communication devices. Examples of electronic devices include personal
`computers, personaldigital assistants, pagers or mobile telephones.
`
`[0021]
`
`Embodimentsof the invention are discussed below with reference to
`
`FIGs. 1—7. However,thoseskilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed
`description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as
`the invention extends beyondthese limited embodiments.
`
`FIG, 1 is a communication system 100 according to one embodiment
`[0022]
`of the invention. The communication system 100 can support different
`communication devices, including mobile telephones 102, computers 104 (e.g.,
`personal computers) and/or wireless personaldigital assistants (PDAs) 106. Users
`of the communication devices 102-106 can communicate with like or different
`
`communication devices. Each communication device 102-106 offers one or both of
`
`audio or textual communication capabilities. These communication devices 102-106
`can inter-communicate with one another through a network 108. The network 108
`can include one or more of voice networks and data networks. For example, one
`network is a data network providing a slow speed data channelfor transmission of
`Short Message Service (SMS) messages(which aretypically limited to 160 text
`characters) to a Short Message Service Center (SMSC) and then forwarded on to
`the destination, Besides short messages (e.g., SMS messages), the network 108
`can also support other messaging protocols for sending and receiving enhanced
`
`Patent Application
`
`4
`
`Docket No.: IPVMAP03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 5
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`

`

`messages (EMS), multimedia messages (MMS), email and fax messages. Other
`
`networks support faster data channels and voice channels, such as GPRS, UMTS,
`
`G4, GSM, CDMAand various protocols, such as UDP, TCP, WAP, PDP other
`
`protocols.
`
`(0023)
`
`According to one embodimentof the invention, one of the
`
`communication devices 102-106 can send a short message to anotherof the
`
`communication devices 102-106. The short message can be text-based or audio-
`
`based. The sending communication device allowsits user to create the short
`
`messageas the user desires and/or as the device permits. For example, the user
`might interact with a keypad or keyboard to enter the short message,or the user
`might record audio inputs (e.g., speech) for the short message. The short message
`can then be sent to the receiving communication device. The sending of the short
`message may involve converting the short message from an audio message to a
`
`text message, or vice versa. Also, the receiving communication device can further
`convert the short message from audio-to-text or from text-to-audio.
`In any case, the
`short messageis presented (e.g., displayed or played) to the user of the receiving
`communication device. The presentation can vary as the user desires or as the
`
`device permits.
`
`A first aspect of the invention pertains to improved approachesto
`[0024]
`respondto incoming voice calls. The improved approachesenable a called party to
`provide some information to a calling party without directly engaging in a voice call
`with the calling party. The called party can choosenotto take the voicecall from the
`calling party. Instead, the called party can provide the calling party with somelimited
`information. The limited information can be provided in an audio ortextual format.
`In one embodiment, the limited information provides the calling party with feedback
`as to why the voice call was not taken.
`
`FIG. 2 is a flow diagram of a personalcall response process 200
`[0025]
`according to one embodimentof the invention. The personalcall response process
`200 is performed by an electronic device, such as a mobile communication device
`
`Patent Application
`
`3
`
`Docket No.:
`
`IPVMAPO03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 6
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`
`

`

`(e.g., mobile telephone). The personal call response process 200 begins with a
`decision 202 that determines whetherthere is an incoming voice call. When the
`
`decision 202 determines that there is no incoming voice call, then the personal call
`
`response process 200 awaits such a call. Once the decision 202 determinesthat
`
`there is an incoming voicecall, a decision 204 determines whether the incoming
`voice call is to be answered. Typically, the user of the electronic device would signal
`the electronic device as to whether or not to answer the incoming voicecall.
`
`Alternatively, the electronic device could automatically decide whether to answerthe
`
`call.
`
`When the decision 204 determinesthat the user desires the incoming
`[0026]
`voice call to be answered, the incoming voice call is answered 206 and the user
`
`engages 208in a voice call with the calling party. A decision 210 then determines
`
`whetherthe call has ended. Whenthe decision 210 determinesthat the call has not
`
`yet ended, then the personalcall response process 200 can return to repeat the
`
`block 208 while the voice call continues. Once the decision 210 determinesthat the
`
`voice call has ended, then the personalcall response process 200 ends.
`
`[0027]
`
`On the other hand, whenthe decision 204 determines that the user
`
`doesnot desire to answerthe incoming voice call, a decision 212 determines
`
`whetherthe user desires to provide an audio messageto the calling party. When
`the decision 212 determines that the user does desire to provide an audio message
`to the calling party, an audio messageis obtained and sent 214 to the calling party
`(caller).
`
`[0028]
`
`Alternatively, when the decision 212 determines that the user does not
`
`desire to provide an audio message,a decision 216 determines whether the user
`desires to provide a text messagetothe calling party. When the decision 216
`determines that the user desires to provide a text messageto the calling party, a text
`messageis obtained and sent 218 to the calling party.
`
`[0029]
`
`Still further, when the decision 216 determines that the user does not
`
`desire to provide a text messageto the calling party, a decision 220 determines
`
`Patent Application
`
`6
`
`Docket No.; IPVMAP03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 7
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`

`

`whether the incoming voice call is to be directed to voice mail. When the decision
`
`220 determines that the incoming voice call should be directed to voice mail, then
`
`the incoming voice call is directed 222 to voice mail. On the other hand, when the
`
`decision 220 determinesthat the incoming voice call is not to be directed to voice
`mail, the incoming voice call is dropped 224. Following the blocks 214, 218, 222
`
`and 224, the personalcall response process 200 is complete and ends.
`
`In another embodiment, a personalcall response process could
`[0030]
`announcethe calling party to the called party (user).
`In announcingthe calling party,
`the personalcall response process would presentthe called party with information
`pertaining to the calling party (e.g., display or audio sound). Such information could,
`for example,help the called party to decide whether to answerthe incoming voice
`call. The information can, for example, include one or more of name(individual or
`business), telephone number,or other caller identification. The information could
`also include status information, such as position, health, mood, etc. As an example,
`the information could be presented to the userprior to the decision 204 of the
`
`personalcall response process 200 shownin FIG, 2.
`
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an audio message response process 300
`[0031]
`according to one embodimentof the invention. The audio message response
`process 300is, for example, suitable for use as the processing carried out by block
`214 illustrated in FIG. 2.
`
`The audio message response process 300initially answers 302 the
`[0032]
`incoming voice call,
`In this operation, the incoming voice call is answered 302 but
`notin a traditional way.
`Instead, the electronic circuitry associated with a mobile
`communication device (e.g., mobile telephone) that receives the incoming voicecall
`operates to answerthe incoming voice call for purposes of an audio message
`response. For example, a voice channelis established betweenthe calling party
`and the mobile communication device, but the speaker and microphoneof the
`mobile communication device are disabled.
`In effect, in such an embodiment,
`
`Patent Application
`
`7
`
`Docket No.;
`
`IPVMAPO3
`
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`Epic Games Ex. 1005
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`

`

`neither the called party nor the calling party perceives that the voice calling has been
`
`answered,
`
`Next, one or more predetermined audio messages can be presented
`[0033]
`304 by the mobile communication device. The presentation 304 of the one or more
`predetermined audio messagescan, for example, be achieved by audio orvisual
`means. For example, the predetermined audio messages can be audio output to a
`speakerfor the called party or can be visual output (e.g., text) output to a display of
`the mobile communication device for the called party (e.g., user of the mobile
`
`communication device).
`
`[0034]
`
`A decision 306 then determines whether a predetermined audio
`
`message has been selected. Here, the decision 306 determines whether the user
`
`(i.e., called party) of the mobile communication device has selected one or more of
`
`the predetermined audio messages. When the decision 306 determinesthat a
`predetermined audio messagehasbeenselected, then the selected audio message
`is played 308 for the calling party. Here, the mobile communication device can
`output the selected audio messageto the calling party over the voice channel,
`Typically, the mobile communication device would not produce an audible outputat
`the mobile communication device, so that the called party would not be disturbed by
`the sending of the audio response. The predetermined audio messages are
`normally short messages(e.g., not more than 160 characters) so that the duration of
`time the voice channel is needed and/or the amount of network bandwidth
`
`consumedis minimal.
`
`[0035]
`
`Onthe other hand, whenthe decision 306 determines that none of the
`
`predetermined audio messageshas beenselected, then a decision 310 determines
`whether a custom audio messageis requested. A custom audio messageis an
`audio messagethatis specifically provided for the calling party. When the decision
`310 determines that a custom audio messageis not being requested, then the audio
`message response process 300 returns to repeat the decision 306 and subsequent
`operations. Alternatively, when the decision 310 determines that a custom audio
`
`Patent Application
`
`8
`
`Docket No.:
`
`IPVMAPQ3
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
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`

`

`message is requested, then a custom audio messageis recorded 312. Thereafter,
`
`the custom audio message that has been recorded can be played 314 forthe caller.
`
`Here, typically, the custom audio message would be output by the mobile
`
`communication device over the voice channelto the calling party. Typically, the
`
`mobile communication device would not produce an audible output at the mobile
`communication device, so that the called party would not be disturbed by the
`sending of the audio response. The custom audio messagesare also normally short
`
`messages (e.g., not more than 160 characters) so that the duration of time the voice
`
`channelis needed and/or the amount of network bandwidth consumedis minimal.
`
`Following the operations 308 and 314, the incoming voice call is closed
`[0036]
`316.
`In other words, after the selected audio message or the custom audio
`messageis played 308, 314, the incoming voice call can be closed 316. Following
`the block 316, the audio message response process 300 is complete and ends.
`
`The predetermined audio messagesthat are presented 304 to a called
`[0037]
`party can be determinedin a static or dynamic manner. A static determination
`would, for example, be whenthe called party has previously set or recorded an
`audio messageto beutilized. Typically, with static determination, the list of audio
`messages remains the same(i.e., static) until changed (e.g., by the called party). A
`dynamic determination would allow the audio messagesin the list (or the ordering of
`the audio messagesin thelist) to change without specific action by the user or the
`called party. For example,thelist or ordering of the audio messages can depend on
`preference settings, configuration information, or prior usage. Prior usage can
`include biasing thelist of audio messages such that those messages being most
`often selected appear higherin thelist. Thelist or ordering of the audio messages
`can also dependonthecalling party, type ofcalling party, location of calling party or
`called party, and the like. Thelist of audio messages can be represented bytext
`and/or graphics (e.g., icons).
`
`The audio message response process 300 flexibly enables a userto
`[0038]
`either select one or more predetermined audio messages or provide a custom audio
`
`Patent Application
`
`9
`
`Docket No.; IPVMAP03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 10
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`

`

`message to be used as an audio message responseto a Calling party. However,it
`
`should be recognizedthat, in other embodiments, an audio message response
`
`process can alternatively simply pertain to only providing a custom audio message,
`
`or only permitting selection of a predetermined audio message. Further, in still other
`
`embodiments, an audio message response processcanfirst determine whether a
`
`custom audio messageis to be provided before presenting predetermined audio
`
`messages.
`
`In yet other embodiments, an audio message response process can
`
`answerthe incoming voice call later in the processing than operation 302 as shown
`
`in FIG. 3 (e.g., before operations 308 and 314).
`
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a text message response process 400
`[0039]
`according to one embodimentof the invention. The text message response process
`400 is, for example, processing performed by the block 218 illustrated in FIG. 2.
`
`The text message response process400initially drops 402 the
`(0040)
`incoming voice call. Here, the information to be supplied to the calling party is a
`short text message; therefore, there is no need for a voice channel.
`
`Next, one or more predetermined text messagesare displayed 404.
`[0041]
`Here, the one or more predetermined text messages would normally be displayed on
`a display screen associated with the mobile communication device being utilized by
`the called party. A decision 406 then determines whether one (or more) of the
`predetermined text messages has been selected. When the decision 406
`determines that a predetermined text message has been selected, then the selected
`
`text messageis transmitted 408 to the caller.
`
`[0042]
`
`On the other hand, whenthe decision 406 determines that a
`
`predetermined text message has not been selected, then a decision 410 determines
`
`whether a custom text message is requested. Whenthe decision 410 determines
`
`that a custom text message is not requested, then the text message response
`process 400 returns to repeat the decision 406 and subsequentoperations.
`Alternatively, when the decision 410 determines that a custom text messageis
`requested, then the custom text messageis entered 412. Here, the called party
`
`Patent Application
`
`10
`
`Docket No,; IPVMAP03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
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`Page 11
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`

`interacts with the mobile communication device to enter the custom text message.
`Then, the custom text messageis transmitted 414 to the caller.
`In one embodiment,
`
`the transmission 408, 414 of the text message can be performed over a
`
`communication network, such as a network having a Short Message Service Center
`(SMSC) supporting Short Message Service (SMS) messages. Following the
`transmission 408 of the selected text message or the transmission 414 of the
`
`custom text message, the text message response process 400 is complete and
`
`ends.
`
`An alternative embodiment of a text message response process could
`[0043]
`operate to answerthe incoming voice call and announce to the caller that a text
`
`messagewill be forthcoming. Then, the incoming voice call could be promptly
`dropped. This additional operation could, for example, be used with the text
`
`message response process 400 by providing an additional operation prior to the
`block 402illustrated in FIG. 4.
`
`The predetermined text messages being displayed 404 to a called
`[0044]
`party can be determinedin a static or dynamic manner. A static determination
`would, for example, be a text message the called party has previously set or
`entered. Typically, with static determination, the list of text messages remains the
`same(i.e., static) until changed (e.g., by the called party). A dynamic determination
`would allow the text messagesin thelist (or the ordering of the text messagesin the
`list) to change automatically, and not by the user. For example, thelist or ordering
`of the text messages can depend on preference settings, configuration information,
`or prior usage. Toillustrate, prior usage can include biasingthelist of text
`messages such that those messages being mostoften selected appear higherin the
`list. Thelist or ordering of the text messages can also depend onthecalling party,
`type of calling party, location of calling party or called party, and the like. Thelist of
`text messagescanidentify each text message with text (e.g., at least a portion of the
`corresponding text message, or an abbreviation) and/or graphics (e.g., icons).
`
`Patent Application
`
`1]
`
`Docket No.: IPVMAP03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 12
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`
`

`

`[0045]
`The text message responseprocess 400flexibly enables a user to
`either select one or more predetermined text messagesor provide a custom text
`messageto be used as a text message responseto a calling party. However,it
`should be recognizedthat, in other embodiments, a text message response process
`can alternatively simply pertain to only providing a custom text message, or only
`
`permitting selection of a predetermined text message. Further,in still other
`
`embodiments, a text message responseprocesscan first determine whether a
`
`custom text messageis to be provided before presenting predetermined text
`
`messages.
`
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an automated call response process 500
`[0046]
`according to one embodimentof the invention. The automatic call response process
`500 is substantially similar in many ways to the personal call response process 200
`illustrated in FIG. 2. However, the automated call response process 500 operates to
`reduce userinput at the mobile communication device by making use of stored data
`pertaining to its hardware components, configuration or preferences.
`In this regard,
`the automatic call response process 500 includes a decision 502 that determines
`
`whether a head-setis active. When the decision 502 determines that a head-setis
`
`active, then the automatic call response process 500 can prefer, suggest or require
`the user to obtain and send 214 an audio messageto the caller in response to an
`incoming voice call. Alternatively, when the decision 502 determines that a head-set
`is not active, then a decision 504 can determine whethera display is present.
`In
`other words,the decision 504 can determine whether the mobile communication
`
`device has a display. When the decision 504 determines that the mobile
`
`communication device does have a display, then the mobile communication device
`
`can operate to obtain and send 218 a text messageto the caller. Of course, this
`assumesthat the caller can support text messages even thoughtheyinitially called
`with a voice call. Hence, in another embodiment, the automatic call response
`process could operate to query or obtain information regarding the caller's
`communication device capabilities.
`
`Patent Application
`
`12
`
`Docket Nox IPVMAP03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 13
`Page 13
`
`

`

`{0047}
`
`An exemplary scenario of how the previously described automatic call
`
`response process could work according to one implementation is as follows:
`
`[0048]
`
`1.
`
`From his mobile phone,Bill calls Tom's mobile phone.
`
`[0049]
`2.
`Tomis alerted by his mobile telephone of an incoming call.
`Optionally, caller information (i.e., pertaining to Bill) can be displayed or announced
`to Tom.
`
`(0050)
`
`3.
`
`Tom can chooseto answerthe incomingcall or decline to
`
`answer the call.
`
`[0051]
`
`4.
`
`In the event that Tom declines to answerthe call, Tom can have
`
`the opportunity to provide the caller with a brief audio or text message.
`
`[0052]
`
`5.
`
`lf an audio messageis to be provided, then Tom caneither
`
`record a personalized message or select one of a plurality of predetermined audio
`messages.
`In this case, the incoming call is answered by Tom's mobile phone and
`then the audio messageis played for the caller, thereafter the call is dropped. The
`audio messagesaretypically brief(i.e., short), and examples of audio messages
`are:(i) “Will call in 10 minutes,”(ii) “Cannot talk now,”(iii) “I'm in a meeting,”or(iv)
`“Please don’t call anymore.”
`
`On the other hand, if a text messageis to be provided, then
`6.
`[0053]
`Tom can either enter a personalized text messageorselect from a plurality of
`predetermined text messages.
`In this case, the incoming call is dropped, and the
`entered text message or the selected one of the predetermined text messagesis
`sent. Examples of text messagesare: (i) “Will call in 10 minutes,”(ii) “Cannot talk
`now," (iii) “I'm in a meeting,” or(iv) “Please don't call anymore.” The text messages
`can be English (or other language) words or phrases, or can be condensed text
`
`strings (e.g., such as slang or chat language).
`In one embodiment, the
`predetermined text messages presented to Tom can be dependenton somecriteria.
`Alternatively, it is possible that Tom might wantto edit the predetermined text
`message, such can be permitted.
`
`Patent Application
`
`13
`
`Docket No.:
`
`IPVMAPO03
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Epic Games Ex. 1005
`Page 14
`Page 14
`
`

`

`[0054]
`
`7.
`
`If hardware components, configuration or preferences are taken
`
`into consideration, asillustrated in FIG. 5, the above scenario can be modified. For
`
`example, if Tom is using a head-set with his mobile phone, then an audio message
`
`may be mostconvenient, assuming that Tom wants to provide a particular(i.e.,
`
`customized) messageto Bill. The head-set allows Tom to record a brief audio
`
`message. Less conveniently, the head-set can be used to presenta list of
`
`predetermined audio messagesand allow Tom'sselection therefrom by a button or
`
`voice-command.
`
`lf Tom is not using a head-set, then a text message response
`8.
`[0055]
`might be more suitable. This wouldtypically require that Tom's mobile phone have a
`
`display and a keypad. Even so, without a head-set, Tom couldstill record an audio
`
`message, though such wouldlikely be less convenient.
`
`[0056]
`
`9,
`
`Tom can also not provide an audio message or a text message
`
`and simply let the incoming call roll-over into voice mail.
`
`In this aspect of the invention, the calling party and the called party
`[0057]
`often use mobile communication devices, such as mobile phones. However, the
`
`parties can alternatively use other electronic devices, such as a PDA, a computer,
`etc. Further, the option to provide a text response could be prevented if the caller's
`
`device is known to not support text messages.
`
`[0058]
`
`The advantagesof the previously described embodiments are
`
`numerous. Different embodiments or implementations mayyield different
`
`advantages. One advantageis that communications for users of electronic devices
`can beflexibly provided. Another advantageis that communication mode changes
`can be performed at an electronic device to better suit the needs or condition of the
`
`In still another advantage, a user can provide
`electronic device or user preferences.
`feedbackto a caller without answering a voice call from the caller.
`
`A different aspect of the invention pertains to improved