Patent Application
20060288298
The disclosed embodiments relate generally to the field of electronic communications. In particular, the disclosed embodiments relate to a system, method and technique for enabling users to interact with address fields of messaging applications.
Computing devices, particularly handheld and portable 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 including personal information management (PIM) software and photo-management applications. Additionally, Internet Protocol services exist that can transform Internet-enabled machines into telephony and messaging devices. Even stand-alone telephones that connect to traditional Public Switched Telephone Networks (PSTN) are including more software to enhance the telephone's functionality.
In enhancing telephony/messaging operations with computing resources and software, effort has been made to enhance and assist the user in using-such devices, particularly for messaging applications. These devices have smaller keyboards that may be harder to operate, and/or use in mobile or dynamic environments, where the user cannot readily retrieve a desired message address.
There are now many types of communication types, and multi-functional devices exist to accommodate the different communication types. Examples of communication types other than telephony include e-mail, instant message (including SMS protocol messages and Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol messages), and video conferencing. Many computing devices, particularly multi-functional cellular messaging phones, are enabled to support communications using multiple communication mediums.
Embodiments described herein facilitate the use and interaction of address fields and operations of messaging applications in different kinds of computer system. As will be described, one or more embodiments described herein facilitate the use of address fields in messaging programs of various kinds, for purposes that include: (i) enabling location and selection of a new recipient address for a given message; (ii) enable retrieval and viewing of information associated with message addresses; (iii) optimize the viewing of message addresses on small form-factor devices (e.g. mobile computing devices); and/or (iv) enable address field editing in a manner that requires minimal user-effort.
Embodiments described in this application may be implemented on any type of computer that is connected to a network or communication medium to enable transmission and/or reception of messages carried over networks. Once type of computer on which embodiments described herein may be implemented is a mobile computing device, such as a cellular computing device, wireless messaging device, personal digital assistant, or hybrid/multi-functional device for enabling cellular voice and data transmissions. These devices typically have relatively limited display sizes, processing resources, and display area. The ease of use and flexibility provided by embodiments described herein, in connection with addressing messages, has benefit to such devices, as functionality described in connection with such embodiments compensates for the relatively more limited resources such devices typically have. However, embodiments described herein may also be implemented by desktop computers, laptop computers, and large profile computers.
An embodiment described herein enables a user to operate a messaging application on a computing device. An input is received for an address field of a message that is to be transmitted from a messaging application. A contact record is associated from the input with the message. A recipient address is selected from the identified contact record for use as an address field value. An input is detected from the user, and subsequently, the user is enabled to edit the address field value. In one embodiment, the user is enabled to edit the address field value by either allowing the user to select a new recipient address from the identified contact record, or by allowing the user to create an alternative recipient address that is not part of the contact record.
According to another embodiment, an input is received from the user that specifies a recipient address for an address field value. An identifier of a contact record is displayed, the identifier of the contact record containing the recipient address of the address field value. In response to the user selecting to view the address field value, displaying information from the contact record that is in addition to the recipient address.
According to another embodiment, information is identified about a recipient of a message that is composed or transmitted from the computing device using the one or more messaging applications. A list entry may be formed, where, if an address field value of the message is associated with a contact record, the contact name or identifier is included in the list entry. Otherwise, the list entry may display a recipient address of that message. The list may be updated to reflect recipients that have been most recently messaged.
According to another embodiment, input is receiving for an address field of a message. The recipient address of the address field is established from the input for the message. The recipient address, or an alternative identifier associated with the recipient address, is then displayed in a view. According to one embodiment, the view is the address line on which the recipient address is provided. Alternatively, the view may be in the form of a window or other display. The usr can edit the recipient address from the view. One or more embodiments further provide for a view, panel, or interface (alternatively or collectively referred to as a “panel” containing an address field in which a user can select, compose or otherwise specify an address field value. Logic may be associated with the panel to enable the user to edit the address field value on the address line, even after the address field value is established atomically for messaging operations.
Numerous other embodiments and implementations are described through out this application.
As used herein, the term “address field” refers to a property of a message that is provided an address or other identifier of a recipient. An example of an address field is the “TO:” field in an email or text message.
As used herein, the term “address field value” means one or more values assigned to an address field of a messaging application. An address field value may have a display component and a recipient address. The display component of the address field value includes characters that are displayed to the user for the address field value at a given instance. The recipient address includes characters that identify the address, location and/or destination of the message that is to be transmitted. For example, in an email application, the address may correspond to the email address, while the display component may be a name of a contact record in which the email address may be found. In many cases, the address component of the address field value is selectively or intermittingly viewable to the user. The following is illustrative:
TO: “John”<John.Doe@palm.com>
In this example, the address field is “TO:”, the address field value is “Joh”<John.Doe@palm.com>, the display component of the address field value is “John” and the address portion of the address field value is John.Doe@palm.com. The address portion may be hidden, or selectively/intermittingly viewable. The display component of the address field value is also not always necessary, as the address field value may correspond to just the address (e.g. John.Doe@palm.com).
When an item, such as an address field value, is said to be “atomic”, or used in connection with a variation of “atomic” (e.g. “atomically” or “atomic state”), what is meant is that the item is indivisible for purpose of performing a state operation.
With regard to mobile computing devices, many of the features and functions described herein facilitate the user in overcoming some of the limitations normally present with such small-form factor devices. For example, embodiments described herein facilitate the user's ability to enter input for an address field value, to view the address field value, and also to view information associated with the address field value (e.g. information from an associated contact record). Moreover, embodiments described herein promote an intuitive approach for user's to communicate with desired recipients, regardless of the type of transport selected for the communication.
Methods, steps of methods, processes, sub-processes and techniques may all be programmatically implemented or facilitated by embodiments of the invention, In this regard, one or more embodiments described herein may be implemented in whole or in part through the use of instructions that are executable by one or more processors. These instructions may be carried on a computer-readable medium. Machines, devices, processors, and other programmatic components shown in figures below provide examples of processing resources and computer-readable mediums on which instructions 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 of memory for holding data and instructions. Examples of computer-readable mediums include permanent 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.
machines.
As used herein, the term “programmatic”, “programmatically” or variations thereof means though the use of computer-implemented instructions. The term “logic” means any programmatic implementation, such as through computer-executed instructions or code.
System Description
System 100 includes a library 140 of resources that are shared by the different messaging applications 110-130 for purpose of enabling use and interaction of address fields with messaging applications. In one embodiment, the library 140 includes components that include one or more of a rendering engine 162, an addressing editor 164, a lookup feature 166, and a list manager 168. Each of these components may be used and/or operated through each of the messaging applications 110-130.
In an embodiment, system 100 may have access and use of a contact database 150. The contact database 150 includes multiple contact records 152 identifying persons or entities that a user of the system 100 may exchange communications with or otherwise contact. Information that may be maintained by individual contact records 152 may include a first name, last name, company/employer name, phone number list (including home phone number, mobile number, fax number), email address, alternative email address, and instant messenger identifier. An SMS or MMS identifier other than a mobile phone number may also be specified. The individual contact records 152 may include contact record identifiers, which are displayed to identify the record in various context. In many typical cases, the contact record identifier corresponds to values provided by the field for the first name, last name or combination thereof (e.g. “John Doe”).
In an embodiment, the library 140 includes an indexer 146 that indexes data from the contact database 150. Other types of databases, record stores, and record types (e.g. event logs, calendar records) may be used in addition or as an alternative to the database or data store that the indexer 146 indexes. In an embodiment such as shown by
In an embodiment such as shown by
In one implementation, the lookup component 166 enables a person to select a contact record for an address field without having to manually enter all the characters of the contact record or its recipient address. Rather, the user may enter one or more characters into a text entry field provided as part of the lookup component 166. The lookup component 166 uses the entered characters to identify from the index 145 contact records that have fields that match the entered values. The matching contact records are displayed to the user in some form, and the user can enter navigation and selection input to select a record for an address field value. When a contact record is entered for an address field value, the display component of the address field value may correspond to an identifier of the contact record. The recipient address, on the other hand, may correspond to one of the field values from the contact record identified as the address field value.
According to an embodiment, each of the messaging applications 110-130 may enable use of the lookup component 166. In one embodiment, the lookup component 166 uses the alphanumeric entry of the user to scan the index 145 for field values that are pertinent to the particular application from which the lookup component 166 is called. For example, the lookup component 166 may be called through use of the email application 110. A specific character entry causes a scan of the index 145, but only for field values that are deemed pertinent to the email application 110. These field values may be different than those scanned for another application, such as SMS application 120 or MMS application 130. In another embodiment, the field values scanned are the first name and last name of the contact record, as well as the corporate entity of the contact record. What is used as the recipient address may correspond to a field value contained in the record. This field value may be determined programmatically, based on the messaging application that uses the lookup component 166. Alternatively, multiple possible recipient address may be contained in a given contact record, and the user may need to specify which recipient address to use.
Among other functions, the rendering engine 162 affects the manner and content that is displayed with or as the address field value of a composed message. In many cases, system 100 has information about the recipient identified in the address field value of a composed message. This information may be in the form of (i) a name of the person, (ii) alternative address of the recipient, and/or (iii) information derived or contained in a contact record associated with the recipient. For example, in the case where the address field value corresponds to a name of a recipient for which there is an associated or assigned contact record, the rendering engine 162 enables other information from the contact record to be viewed by the user selecting or putting the address field value in focus. Under one embodiment, the rendering engine 162 enables the view of the additional information to take place in the presence of the composed message, so that the user can view the additional information with the address field value. For example, a fly-out window may be used to temporally display information from the contact record of a recipient to a user.
Under an embodiment, the address editor 164 enables the address field value of a composed message to be edited, even after the address field value has been established edited by the messaging application. An address field value may be deemed established when the messaging application on which the message is composed recognizes the address field value as an atomic object. As an atomic object, the entire address field value may, for example, be deleted with one action. Under an embodiment, the address editor 164 enables the address field value to be edited “in-line” on an addressed message. In other words, the address of a message (e.g. email or SMS) to a recipient can be edited on the line where the address field value was entered and then subsequently displayed, even when the address field is established as an atomic object. In comparison, many existing applications allow uses to enable the address field value after it is established, but in a separate window or display area. On small form-factor devices, the ability to perform in-line edits on an addressed messages promotes ease of use, as the small screen limits the ability to enable edits on separate windows or interfaces.
The list manager 168 is another mechanism that enables a user of the device to select an address field value without manually entering the recipient address in its entirety. As described with, for example, an embodiment of
While embodiments of
Contact Lookup
In an embodiment shown by
In an embodiment, the user operates one of the messaging applications to enter a search string 222 for the lookup component 210. For example, the user may use selection input on the address field to view or activate the interface 212 of the lookup component 210. On the interface 212, the user can enter an alphanumeric search string (e.g. through operation of a keyboard). The search string may correspond to, for example, (i) the first few characters of a first name or last name of a contact record, (ii) multiple characters that correspond to a combination of initials, or a combination of first and last name of a contact record (e.g. initials of first and last name, or two letters from first name, one from last name), (iii) corporate name, or (iv) other field value of a contact record, such as the field value of one of the address fields.
Under one implementation, the following lookup rules may be applied to a given search string: First two letters that are entered are matched as follows: (i) First name, last name (ii) Last name, first name, (iii) First name only, and (iv) Last name only. The third letter is interpreted as follows: (i) Next letter in first name, (ii) Next letter in last name only, (iii) Second letter in last name (first letter matching first name).
Numerous lookup algorithms may be employed with embodiments described herein. In particular, the algorithms may be shared or distributed through a library and interface that is shared by multiple messaging applications. Another lookup algorithm provides for the use of a space character between two characters in an input sequence. When no space character is present, the lookup algorithm matches a sequence of two or more characters based on the following: (i) first initial/last name, (ii) last initial/first name, (iii) first name, and (iv) last name. However, if there is a space character (and the space character does not match a space character in either the first or last name), then the space character is used as a delimiter between first and last name. For example, the search sequence “bob jo” can match “Bobby Johnson” or “Bob Jorkney” or “Joe Bobanson”.
Furthermore, while the lookup component 210 may be shared by the different messaging applications, the functionality of the lookup component 210 may be tailored for the particular messaging application. For example, when email application 202 is operated in connection with the lookup component 210, the string 222 may be compared against field values for email addresses. As another example, if the messaging application that uses the lookup component 210 is an instant messaging application, the reverse lookup of the characters may be directed towards a field value that is known to provide an instant messaging identifier.
The interface 212 may receive the search string 222, and submit perform a scan 224 or search of the index 240 using the search string 222. In one embodiment, the index 240 is structured so that the search string 222 implements a search protocol, defining what fields are to be searched, and how the search string 222 may be divided or sequenced to match a given field value. For example, two characters that are letters may be searched against (i) first two characters of the first names, (ii) first two characters of last names, or (iii) initials of first name and last name. Two characters that are numbers may be searched against fields that are phone numbers only. In this way, the index search may carry over different combinations of the search string 222 to identify matching records from the contact database 250. The identification of the records may be carried to the interface 212 in the form of identifiers 226 of contact records that were deemed to be matching. Record identifiers 226 are communicated to the record retrieval function 214, which locates the corresponding records from the database 250. The record retrieval function 214 may then inspect individual records and retrieve record information 228 from those inspected records. The record information 228 is then displayed to the user. In an embodiment shown by
When the user interacts with the lookup component 210, the user may be provided a choice of selecting a contact record for insertion of an address field value in a given message, or alternatively viewing information from the contact record identified from the index 240.
In an implementation shown, after each character entered by the user in the address field, that character, in combination with any preceding characters, is scanned against the index 240 to identify matching contact records. With the input of each character, the number of matching results is reduced. addressing of the message by entering the string 222 on the address field.
In
With further reference to
In this way, the lookup component 210 allows the user to (i) quickly specify, through a small set of alphanumeric entries, a contact record identifier as an address field value, and (ii) have the recipient address determined and inserted for the address field value, either automatically or through selection/navigation input. Under one embodiment, the user does not have to enter the entire recipient address, or even know what the recipient address is when entering the address field value. The user may simply rely on knowing the name of the person who he wishes to contact, and the recipient address can subsequently be identified programmatically when the contact record is identified. or by the user (through navigation/selection input).
Most Recently Used Lists
Embodiments described herein enable the use of one or more lists in connection with operation of the some or all of the messaging applications that can be operated on a computer or mobile computing device. In particular, one or more embodiments provide for a most-recently used (“MRU”) list to be associated with different messaging applications. The MRU list may be maintained separate from the contact database, and provide the user with another alternative means by which an address field value can be selected for a message.
In one embodiment, a MRU list is updated with the transmission of individual messages from a given outgoing message. For example, when a message is transmitted from a mobile computing device, each recipient address of the outgoing message is added to the MRU list for that application. The new entries take the place of old entries, so that the MRU list reflects recent communications.
In step 410, a message is composed or transmitted from the mobile computing device. The message may be transmitted using anyone of many messaging applications that can be operated on a computing device, including an email application, an SMS application, an MMS application, or an instant messaging application.
In step 415, a determination is made as to whether an address field value of the composed or transmitted message specifies a contact record stored on the mobile computing device. For example, the user may spell out an email address, not realizing the email address is in a contact record.
If the determination in step 415 is that the address value of the outgoing message does specify a contact record, then a list entry corresponding to the contact record identifier is added to a MRU list in step 420. While the list entry may be displayed as the contact identifier, but some designation may be made as to which field value of the identified contact record contains the recipient address of the outgoing message.
In some cases, the address field value of a message may specify a contact record identifier, in which case the recipient address may be contained by that record. In other cases, the address field value displays only the recipient address, and this identifier may or may not correspond to one of the contact records. If in step 415, the address field value does not display or correspond to a contact record identifier, then in step 430 the recipient address is identified. A determination is made in step 435 as to whether the recipient address has correlation to one of the contact records. For example, functionality described with the lookup component 210 (
If the determination in step 435 is that there is correlation between the recipient address identified in step 430 and one of the contact records, then step 420 is performed, where the list entry is made with the contact record identifier that contains the recipient address. Otherwise, in step 440, the recipient address is used as the list entry.
In an embodiment such as described with
The list manager 510 may also include an application code or identifier 544 that identifies the particular messaging application 520 that generated an individual list entry 532. The application code 544 enables master list 540 to be a source from which different MRU list 552s can be generated for each of the messaging applications 520. The application code 544 enables subsets of list entries 532 to be identified from the master list 540. Each subset of list entries 532 may be presented as a separate MRU list 552 that can be called from one of the corresponding messaging applications 520. Thus, for example, the recipient address of an SMS message and of an outgoing e-mail message may each form separate list entries 532 on the master list 540, but each of the recipient address has a different application code 544 which identifies the particular list entry as belonging to the SMS messaging application or email messaging application respectively.
In an embodiment, the rendering component 550 may be used to identify subsets of list entries 532, and to form MRU list 552s from those list entries for use with individual messaging applications 520. The rendering component 550 may correspond to the rendering engine 162 of the library 140, which is shared by the different messaging applications 520.
With the operation of a given messaging application, an embodiment provides that the rendering component 550 enables each generated MRU list 552 to be used to perform one or more of the following: (i) view address field values of recent or most recent outgoing messages using the given messaging application; (ii) when applicable, view the contact record information associated or identified by the actress field value, and enable the user to select recipient address from the displayed record information; (iii) select a recipient address for a new outgoing message, using either the message recipient identifier that corresponds to the list entry, or one of the recipient address that is included in a contact record identifier by the list entry.
In this way, an embodiment provides that each list entry 532 is an actionable data item, in that selection of the list entry may result in different operations being performed. In one embodiment, a full selection of a list entry (e.g. double click) results in an underlying address of the list entry being inserted into the address field of a new message. A partial selection (e.g. placement in focus) of a list entry that corresponds to a contact record identifier results in record information from that contact record being displayed to the user. Thus, individual list entries may be used to address messages and view information such as contact record information (as the case may apply).
As described by one or more embodiments, the address field value identified by each list entry 532 may also be subjected to a view and edit operation by the user. The edit to the address field value may be performed “in-line” on the message. Furthermore, if the list entry 532 identifies a contact record, the edit of the address field value may cause the rendering component 550 to not display the identifier of the contact record, depending on whether the edited recipient address is an existing field value of that contact record.
Lookup Using Combination of Contact Database and MRU List
Under an embodiment, the contents of the list 540 (
In one embodiment, different protocols may be used when checking the list 540, as opposed to the contact record database 250. This may be a result of the use of the index 240 when checking the record database 250. As described above, matching the search string 222 to a contact database may include (i) matching a first character to a first name, and a second character to a last name (initials search), or (ii) a reverse address lookup. Under one implementation, for example, when the search string 222 is used against the list 540, neither the initial search or the reverse address lookup are performed. Thus, different search or matching algorithms may be used to match one search string to address field values and contact records from two different sources: the contact record database 250 (via an index 240) and the list 540.
In the first case (top row), a matching result is found in the contact records. The search string value 602 is used to identify a contact record identifier (first name, last name). The protocol permits the search string value 602 to be used to identify initials, or the first letter of the first name and last name. In the second case, the MRU contains a contact record identifier as a list entry. The search of the list entry and the contact database yields the same result. In an implementation such as shown, the lookup component knows that certain protocols, such as first initial last initial search, apply to all contact record identifiers in the search domain, regardless of whether the contact record identifier is in the MRU list or in the contact database. Since the same record is found from each source, the result looks the same as the first case.
In the third case, the search string value 602 is changed so that it only matches one of the email addresses of the contact record shown. The third case illustrates an implementation in which email addresses are only searched as part of the lookup functionality when the email addresses are one of the list entries for the MRU list. In order to be a list entry, the email address is either not present in any contact records of the database, or the list manager is configured to not convert email addresses and other recipient address to contact record identifiers. In either case, the result that matches the search string value 602 is only in the MRU list, and the lookup component in the case provided does not search email addresses or other field values of individual contact records. Thus, no contact record exists for the search string. However, list entries in the MRU list corresponding to recipient addresses may be searched to find the matching result. Thus, when list entries of the MRU list display addresses, those addresses may be searched. The fourth case illustrates an implementation where the search string value is only used to search contact record identifiers of the contact database, and not other field values, such as email addresses in contact records. As such, if one of the contact records has a field value (email address field) that matches the search string value, but the list entry does not use that address, the search string returns no results.
With regard to the examples provided by
Delimiter Insertion
With addressing, delimiters indicate when one address field value ends and another starts. When addresses multiple recipients on one message, the addresses provided for each recipient may be delimited by a character such as a semi-colon or comma.
With mobile devices and other small-form factor devices, the insertion of delimiters is typically a multi-step effort. Even with small form-factor devices that offer QWERTY keyboards, the character that designates the delimiter is often an alternative mode of another key. With devices that use a numeric keypad layout (such as those that use predictive text), delimiters can be even more difficult to find and use. With regard to small form factor devices in general, fewer key strikes and input actions is preferred, particularly in address messaging.
In step 710, user-input for an address field is received. The input may be in the form of selection input, such as through use of lookup functionality, list entry selection of an MRU list, or other operation where the user selects a data item corresponding to the desired address. As an alternative option, the input may also correspond to character entry, where the user spells out, for example, an email address or mobile phone number as the recipient location for a message. As described elsewhere, the input that the user selects for the address field may not necessarily correspond to the message address, but rather invoke the message address by association. For example, the input may identify a contact name (e.g. name of recipient), rather than the actual message address in long form.
In step 720, the address of the message is identified as being complete. The message address may be specified in one of several ways. Some of the possible ways in which the message address is identified are completed are shown with the sub-steps described below.
Sub-steps 722 and 724 provide that the user-input specifies or selects a contact record, and an address from the specified or selected contact record is then inserted for the address field of the message. A contact record may be specified by the user performing a lookup using a small number of search strings. The contact record may also be selected using navigation or other features where the contact record identifier is displayed or the contact record is made available. For example, the user may specify a name of a person to look at that person's contact record, then the user may select the mobile phone number from that contact record.
Sub-steps 732 and 734 provide that the user's input specifies or selects a list entry from one of the MRU lists, then the address identified by the selected list entry is inserted in the address field of the message. Under one implementation, specification of the list entry also automatically select an address, even when the list entry specifies a contact record.
Sub-step 742 provides for the case where the user spells out the address or contact identifier for use as an address field value. For example, the user may enter each character of an email address, mobile phone number, or contact name.
Following step 720 and the sub-steps by which the message address is identified and completed, step 750 provides that the delimiter used by the particular messaging application is automatically inserted after the completed message address. For example, some messaging applications use a semicolon, while others a colon.
In step 755, a determination is made as to whether the user wishes to enter another address for a message. Under one embodiment, the automatic placement of the delimiter in the address field results in the cursor or prompt to be positioned just after the inserted delimiter, so that the next addressee of the same message can be specified without the user having to enter a space or otherwise position the cursor on the display.
If there are no additional addressee's for the message, the method is done, and the address field is complete. Otherwise, it the user has additional addressees, the method returns to step 710, where the user enters input to specify or select the next address for the outgoing message.
In an embodiment such as shown by
With regard to an embodiment of
Viewing Information Associated with Message Addresses
In many cases, a n address field value may have information associated with it. For example, as described with other embodiments, the address field value may correspond to a contact name, in which case the associated information includes information contained in the contact record. The address field value may also include a message address without a contact name, in which case associated information may include the contact name, or the known name of the recipient identified by the message address. Sometimes, the address field value is an abbreviated name or moniker for a person, and the additional information identifies the person's full name and/or message address. Still further, numerous other kinds of information may be stored or maintained to be associated with a given recipient. For example, information that is associated with a message address may correspond to the last message sent to the user, or time and date of the previous communication to that recipient.
In step 810, an address field value of an addressed, transmitted or stored message is displayed. For example, the user may complete addressing an email, or the user may select to view addressing information from an email in an sent folder or inbox folder.
Step 820 provides that input is received indicating that the user wishes to see information associated with the address field value. In one implementation, the detection is of input that places a given address field value in a selected or partially selected state. For example, the user may place in focus an address field, so that the address field is highlighted. In a focus state, additional input may cause further actions to be performed. For example, another selection input following placement of the address field value into the focus state may cause the address field value to be lost its atomic state and to be placed in an editing mode.
In step 830, information associated with the address field value is displayed. For example, in the case where the address field value corresponds to a contact name, placement of the address field value in focus causes information from the corresponding contact record to be displayed.
In one embodiment, the user's input to select viewing additional information is a lookup operation. The lookup component 166 may retrieve contact record information for a contact name identified in the address field. The rendering engine 162 subsequently displays the contact record information.
In one or more embodiments, the information displayed from the contact record is centric, or at least pertinent to the messaging application that the message being addressed is generated from. Thus, for example, when the message is an email, the contact record information displayed shows field values that are legitimate email addresses. This may exclude non-mobile phone numbers, fax numbers, and home numbers. In order to display pertinent or centric information, one implementation provides for use of filter rules 260 in connection with the lookup component. In another implementation, the contact record information shows field values likely to be pertinent to the user from the given application. Thus, for the email application, while the user may be able to send an email to a mobile phone, the user is more likely to want to send the email to an email address, as transmission between phones is likely to be in the form of an SMS or MMS communication.
Truncation
With small form factor computing devices in particular, long message addresses can be difficult to view. If an email address exceeds the length of the line provided for an email address, one conventional approach is to allow the email address to run onto a second line. This makes the email address difficult to view.
In step 915, a determination is made as to whether the address field value exceeds a designated length. In one embodiment, the number of characters that form the address field value are compared against a number indicating the need to distribute the address field value on more than one line. The designated character number may be a static designation, meaning the number never changes. Alternatively, the designated character number may be dependent on the particular usage and conditions. For example, the display window where the address is being composed may be made smaller by the preference of the user. Alternatively, an embodiment may take into account the fact that another message addresses is present on the same line, and that it may be preferable to place all addresses on one line.
In other implementations, the determination of the length of the message address may be based on factors other than character count. For example, other implementations may utilize screen position, or measure a physical length of the message address.
If the determination in step 915 is that the address field value does not exceed a size limit, then step 920 provides that the address field value is displayed with no alterations or truncations. Otherwise, in step 930, the display component of the address field value is truncated. In one implementation, this corresponds to the message address (e.g. the email address). Other implementations may provide for the contact name to be truncated. Truncation may follow rules or protocols, so that preferred information about the address message is viewable.
In some cases, the user may wish to enter a message address. Numerous techniques exist to enable the user to edit the address field (see
One or more embodiments recognize that people with multiple email addresses often have the same or similar name component on each of their email addresses. For example, individuals often use a combination of the first name or initial and their last name, and carry this name component from email account to email account. In truncating an email address that is too long, embodiments recognize that often, the portions of the email address most important to identifying an email address is the portion of the email address that represents the domain and the portion of the email address that represents the first few characters of a person's name.
In implementing truncation, one or more truncation rules may be applied to enable viewing of an email address in an addressing field. In one embodiment, the truncation rules provide that what is truncated first (as a priority) is the portion of the name component 972 that can be assumed to be attributable to letters of a person's last name. The last name portion of the name component 972 is truncated thus truncated before truncating any other portion of the email address 962. This may be achieved in one of the several ways, such as: (i) truncate from the character just left of the “@” delimiter until the email address is of a size that can be accommodated in one line; (ii) seek and identify a first name/last name delimiter (“.” or “_”), then truncate based on identifying that delimiter.
If truncating the last name portion of the name component 972 does not provide enough space, an implementation provides that the name component 972 is further truncated. This means that the domain component 974 is last to be truncated, if at all.
Embodiments described with
Address Field Viewing
There are various instances when a person using a mobile computing device, for instance, wishes to view contact information for a particular person. In integrating contact record identification and functionality with messaging applications, users are more prone to view contact record information about a person. With many conventional approaches, the user has been required to operate a contact application that directly interfaces with the database of contact records. While this approach is effective, it typically resulted in the person losing the application view he had in order to view the contact information. Moreover, with many past approaches, the information displayed included some items that were not pertinent to the user's task at hand.
One or more embodiments described herein provide for the viewing of contact record information from address field values that include contact names. In particular, one or more embodiments provide for displaying contact record information to the user in response to some action that user performs on the address field or its value. The information is displayed with minimal interference to the user's operation of the messaging application from which the contact record information was requested.
In one embodiment, the messaging application 10 (e.g. email application) may be operated by a user who enters or selects a contact name for the address field value. The user enters view input 1014, which is communicated to the rendering engine 1020. By way of example, the input may be in the form of the user entering selection input (e.g. through use of a multi-directional member) on an address field, causing a contact name that appears as the address field value to appear in focus. With specification of the contact name 1025, the rendering engine 1020 is able to identify and retrieve record information 1024 from a contact database 1040. The record information 1024 may be filtered with rules 1025, either by the rendering engine 1020 or by another component that assists the rendering engine 1020 (e.g. a lookup component) is retrieving the record information. The filter rules 1025 may remove information from the contact record that includes field values that are not pertinent for use of the messaging application 1010. For example, in the case of email, home phone numbers are removed from the information in the contact record.
In response, the rendering engine 1020 then displays pertinent record information 1012 to the user. When messaging application 1010 is email, the pertinent information 1012 may correspond to the legitimate email addresses that the contact record specifies for the particular name.
In step 1050, view input is detected by the messaging application 1010. In one embodiment, the view input is detected on an established address field value. An established address field value is one that the messaging application 1010 recognizes as an atomic data item. For example, when a user enters an address field value, the messaging application 1010 waits until a determination that the address field value is complete. Then it underlines the address field value (or performs some other display rendering). From that point, the data item may be treated atomically, or as a single data item.
In step 1060, the contact record name is used to retrieve information from a corresponding contact record. In one embodiment, the contact record name, or data contained with it, inherently includes pointers that enable the rendering engine 1020 to locate the record in a contact database. In another embodiment, the pointer is obtained from another source, using the contact record identifier. For example, the pointer may be obtained from an index 146 (
Step 1070 provides that the contact information that is retrieved is filleted for the particular messaging application in use. In one embodiment, the filter applied to the record information is the same for all messaging applications. In another embodiment, a more concerted effort is made to enable the filter rules 1025 to extract all field values other than those that are legitimate recipient addresses for the particular messaging application 1010 in use.
Step 1080 provides that filtered contact information is displayed to the user. A window or other display functionality can be used to display the contact record information. For example, a flared window may be used to display the contact record information at one time. Alternatively, an in-line view may be provided right on the address field, which intermittingly displays one recipient address, then another from the contact record. The user can then select one of the recipient addresses, and use navigation or scrolling to view on the address line.
According to one or more embodiments, address field viewing may be used to cause editing of the address field value of a given message. Accordingly, a step 1090 may be provided to enable edit and select from displayed contact information. Thus, for example, the user may specify a contact name, which automatically causes insertion of a first email address for that contact (e.g. the contact's work email). The user can then select to view contact information for that person, and use the information to select another email address for that contact (e.g. the person's home email address).
Address Editing
One or more embodiments described herein provide for a user to have the ability to perform edit operations on an address that is established in the address field of a message. In one embodiment, the edits may be performed in-line, meaning that the address field value can be altered in the address line of a message, even after the address that is subjected to editing was established (and thus treated atomically by the messaging application). The result of the editing is a new recipient address, and possibly a new display component for the address field as a whole.
The messaging application 1110 may display an established address field value, which means an address field value is displayed and its recipient address is recognized atomically by the messaging application. From this state, a user-input may be detected to edit the address field value. In one embodiment, the user-input may be entered through use of navigational and selection input, such as through use of a multi-directional member or mechanism having a selection button. In one embodiment, the input is made through the user viewing contact record information from the rendering engine 1020 (see
In the case where the address field value includes a contact name, contact record information 1124 can be retrieved by or for the address editor. As described with
As an alternative or addition, a reverse lookup may be performed to determine and identify a new contact record name from the contact database 1130, in which the case the newly edited address field value may carry the new contact name. With reference to an embodiment of
In step 1150, input is received from which a recipient address may be identified. A determination is then made in step 1152 as to whether the recipient address is a contact name. If the recipient address is a contact name, step 1155 provides that the contact name is displayed as the address field value, in association with the recipient address. Else, step 1158 provides that the contact record is displayed.
In step 1160, the recipient address is established, meaning the messaging application 1110 will treat it as an atomic data item. Step 1164 provides that edit mode selection is detected for the address field value. In response, step 1168 provides that the atomic status of the address field value is removed. In one embodiment, this may correspond to, for example, the address field value being transparently disassociated from a message that is being addressed, and then re-presented by functionality corresponding to the address editor 1120.
Next, step 1170 provides that editing of the recipient address is enabled. According to one implementation, editing of the entire address field value, including the contact name (when applicable) is enabled. Different editing processes may be performed, depending on an implementation of an embodiment described. Sub-step 1172 provides one editing operation that may be enabled, in which an in-line edit can be performed. With an in-line edit, the recipient address is edited in the line of the address field. This may involve adding characters, deleting characters, and otherwise modifying the address field value.
In the case where the address field value under edit includes a contact name, one implementation provides in a sub-step 1174 that an alternative recipient address from the contact record of the same contact name is displayed. Following sub-step 1174, there may be one of two possibilities: (i) step 1178 provides that the user can select an alternative recipient address from the contact record of the contact name in the address field value under edit, and/or (ii) step 1180 provides that the user is enabled to select, then edit an alternative recipient addresses from the contact record of the contact name in the address field value under edit. In the latter case, the edit may be in the form of addition and/or deletion of characters that comprise the recipient address.
Following either sub-step 1172 or sub-step 1180, a determination is made in step 1184 as to whether the newly specified edited address is in the contact database. If the determination is negative, step 1194 provides that the edited recipient address is displayed and established atomically for the messaging application. Otherwise, if the determination is positive, then step 1190 provides that the contact name containing the newly specified recipient address is displayed as the address field value, and the newly specified recipient address is established atomically by the messaging application.
Following step 1178, where the user has selected a new recipient address from the contact record of the contact name in the address field under edit, a step 1198 provides that the same contact name is displayed in the address field view after the edit operation is complete. However, the newly selected recipient address is established in place of the previous recipient address.
In
With regard to
One or more embodiments enable editing of the address field value after the view or edit input is received.
In
In step 1310, the key state of a keypad or keyboard on the computing device is recorded. The following are examples of possible key states: (i) number mode, (ii) letter mode, and (iii) special character mode.
As described with, for example, a method of
In step 1340, the edit mode of the address field is detected as ending. This may correspond to, for example, establishment of the address field value after its edit mode is triggered (meaning the likelihood that the user has done something to specify the alteration).
In step 1350, the key state of the keypad or keyboard is returned to the key state recorded in step 1310, upon completion of the edit mode. This step may be performed automatically. Thus, for example, if the user edited a phone number in the address field, the key state may return to recognizing those same keys as letters.
Hardware Description
While numerous types of computing devices and systems are contemplated for the different embodiments described herein, one or more embodiments contemplate the use of a mobile computing device that transmits and receives messages through various mediums, including through cellular networks.
A mobile computing device 1400 such as shown by
The radio subsystem 1450 may include a radio processor 1460, a radio memory 1462, and a receiver/transmitter 1464. While other components may be provided with the radio subsystem 1450, the basic components shown provide the ability for the mobile computing device to perform radio-frequency communications, including telephonic communications. In an embodiment, many, if not all, of the components under the control of the central processor 1420 are not required by the radio subsystem 1450 when a call is connected or ongoing.
The radio processor 1460 may communicate with central processor 1420 using a serial line 1478. In one embodiment, central processor 1420 executes logic (by way of programming, code, instructions) corresponding to the shared library 140 of
With regard to the display of a list, window or other view, one or more embodiments contemplate use of a small-form factor computing device (e.g. mobile device) on which display area is limited. In such embodiments, a determination may be made as to where the list or view is to be presented, so that more of the list or view may be displayed without requiring the user to scroll up or down. In one embodiment, the screen area below and above the point from which a window, list or other view is to be generated is calculated. The portion of the display area having the most available space is used to present the list, window or other view. Such an embodiment may be applied, to for example, presentation of an MRU list as described above.
With regard to embodiments described herein, visual or other feedback may be provided to the user to inform the user about success or failure of operations that user performs. For example, whenever a new recipient address or address field value is specified, color coding may be used to inform the user as to whether the recipient address/address field value is established (and this atomic), or whether there is a problem with the entry (e.g. text was used in a field requiring only phone number, or phone number was too short to be legitimate). An error may be displayed in an alternative color, indicating non-established and erroneous status. For example, a blue address field may signify an established address field value, while red denotes non-established, and erroneous address field value.
While embodiments described herein are provided in the context of computers, and more particularly mobile computing devices, one or more other embodiments may be implemented on web-based messaging systems. Web-based messaging systems may be executed through a browser, or other application that can render images and data provided on a website. As such, the messaging applications may be substituted for a browser, or a multi-purpose application that has browsing capabilities. With regard to an embodiment such as described with
Although illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments. As such, many modifications and variations will be apparent to practitioners skilled in this art. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalents. Furthermore, it is contemplated that a particular feature described either individually or as part of an embodiment can be combined with other individually described features, or parts of other embodiments, even if the other features and embodiments make no mention of the particular feature. Thus, the absence of describing combinations should not preclude the inventor from claiming rights to such combinations.
This patent application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims a benefit and priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/231,631, filed on Sep. 20, 2005, titled “Integrated Handheld Computing and Telephony System and services”; which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/977,871, filed Oct. 14, 2001, titled “Method and Apparatus for Accessing a Contacts Database and Telephone Services”, which is a continuation-in-part of and claims a benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/668,123, filed Sep. 21, 2000, titled “Method and Apparatus for Organizing Addressing Elements”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,575, and a continuation-in-part of and claims a benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/374,095, filed Aug. 12, 1999, titled “Mobile Computer System Designed for Wireless Communication Expansion”, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,516,202, the relevant contents of each of these applications herein being incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11231631 | Sep 2005 | US |
| Child | 11434504 | May 2006 | US |
| Parent | 09977871 | Oct 2001 | US |
| Child | 11231631 | Sep 2005 | US |
| Parent | 09668123 | Sep 2000 | US |
| Child | 09977871 | Oct 2001 | US |
| Parent | 09374095 | Aug 1999 | US |
| Child | 09977871 | Oct 2001 | US |
