Adaptively predicting and modifying a communications user interface

Abstract

In various embodiments, a communications user interface which can be adapted based on predicted communications is provided. In an embodiment, a method of providing a communications user interface using a media player is provided. The method includes displaying a set of communications interfaces. Also, the method includes receiving data related to a schedule of communications. Furthermore, the method includes predicting upcoming communications sessions responsive to data related to a schedule of communications. The method also includes modifying the set of communications interfaces responsive to the predicting. Moreover, the method includes receiving user requests. Additionally, the method includes operating the set of communications interfaces responsive to the user requests.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated in an exemplary manner by the accompanying drawings. The drawings should be understood as exemplary rather than limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a communications interface.

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a communications user interface.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of a network of machines used in communications.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternate view of the embodiment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a process of operating a communications user interface.

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of a process of storing communications information.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of a network of machines which may be used in communications.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a machine which may be used in communications.

FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of a client in a communications system.

FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of a process of server-side operations in a communications system.

FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of a process of client-side operations in a communications system.

FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment of a client in a communications system.

FIG. 13 illustrates another embodiment of updating a user interface in a communications system.

FIG. 14 illustrates yet another embodiment of updating a user interface in a communications system.

Claims

1. A method of providing a communications user interface using a media player, comprising: displaying a set of communications interfaces;receiving data related to a schedule of communications;predicting upcoming communications sessions responsive to data related to a schedule of communications;modifying the set of communications interfaces responsive to the predicting;receiving user requests;andoperating the set of communications interfaces responsive to the user requests.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving data related to contact persons for the schedule of communications;andmodifying the set of communications interfaces responsive to the data related to the contact persons.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining available communications modes;andsetting the set of communications interfaces responsive to the available communications modes.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein: data related to the schedule of communications includes time of communication and mode of communication.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein: data related to the schedule of communications further includes contact information.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein: data related to the schedule of communications includes time of communication and mode of communication;anddata related to contact persons includes identifying information and contact information.

7. The method of claim 2, wherein: the set of communications interfaces includes an email interface.

8. The method of claim 2, wherein: the set of communications interfaces includes a peer-to-peer communications interface.

9. The method of claim 2, wherein: the set of communications interfaces includes a chat interface.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein: the set of communications interfaces includes a voice-over-IP communications interface.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein: the set of communications interfaces includes a videoconference communications interface.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein: the method is performed by a processor executing instructions, the instructions embodied in a medium, the instructions causing the processor to perform the method through execution of a media player responsive to a content file.

13. An apparatus, comprising: a server interface;a user interface, the user interface including a set of communications interfaces, the communications interfaces modifiable responsive to communications scheduling information and user requests;a content file including instructions for a media player to execute, a media player implementing the user interface and the server interface responsive to the instructions of the content file, the media player predicting upcoming comunications sessions responsive to communications scheduling information, the media player modifying the user interface responsive to predicting upcoming communications sessions;anda media player to access the content file.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for accessing schedule data.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a schedule interface to access schedule data of a data repository.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein: the media player and the content file are embodied in a medium as instructions, the instructions executed by a processor.

17. A method, comprising: displaying a set of communications interfaces in a user interface;receiving data related to a schedule of communications;predicting upcoming communications sessions responsive to data related to a schedule of communications;andmodifying the set of communications interfaces responsive to the predicting.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving data related to contact persons for the schedule of communications;andmodifying the set of communications interfaces responsive to the data related to the contact persons.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving user requests;andoperating the set of communications interfaces responsive to the user requests.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving authentication of user identity;andunlocking the set of communications interfaces responsive to authentication.

21. The method of claim 17, further comprising: determining available communications modes;andsetting the set of communications interfaces responsive to the available communications modes.

22. The method of claim 17, further comprising: displaying status of the communications interfaces of the set of communications interfaces in a status console in the user interface.

23. A method of providing a communications user interface using a platform-independent virtual machine operating responsive to a content file, comprising: displaying a set of communications interfaces;receiving data related to a schedule of communications;predicting upcoming communications sessions responsive to data related to a schedule of communications;modifying the set of communications interfaces responsive to the predicting;andoperating the set of communications interfaces responsive to the user requests.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: determining available communications modes;andsetting the set of communications interfaces responsive to the available communications modes.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising: receiving user requests.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising: receiving data related to contact persons for the schedule of communications;andmodifying the set of communications interfaces responsive to the data related to the contact persons.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein: data related to the schedule of communications includes time of communication and mode of communication.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein: the set of communications interfaces includes one or more of the group consisting of an email interface, a peer-to-peer communications interface, a chat interface, a voice-over-IP communications interface and a videoconference communications interface.