Mobile communications device with information feedback function and method thereof

A mobile communications device to provide feedback on spam text messages. A corresponding method is provided. The method includes steps of: receiving a message from a server; decoding the message; identifying whether the server ID of the received message is one of the predetermined numbers; displaying the menu on the display unit if the server ID is one of the predetermined numbers; receiving a reply code, generating a reply message corresponding to the reply code, and sending the reply message to the server.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a mobile communications device with information feedback function and method thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

Commonly, mobile phones are not equipped to filter spam or junk text messages. The spam or junk messages takes up storage space, and wastes the time of the user to open and read the messages. Also, because the server involved in relaying the messages cannot distinguished between regular text messages and spam, the server will use up valuable time, and hence money, in sending the spam or junk messages.

Therefore, what is needed is a mobile communication device and method with an information feedback function.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a schematic diagram of a system, including a communications device, for receiving and sending messages in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The system includes at least one server10, a service center20, and at least one mobile communications device30. The server10is configured to generate messages such as advertisements (ads), and send the ads to the mobile communications device30through the service center20. The service center20may use Short Messaging Service (SMS), Multimedia Messaging Services (MMS), Enhanced Message Service (EMS), and so on.

FIG. 2is a block diagram of a hardware infrastructure of the mobile communications device ofFIG. 1in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The mobile communications device30includes a communication unit100, a processing unit200, a storage unit300, a display unit400, and an input unit500. The communication unit100is configured to receive messages from the server10, store the received messages in the storage unit300via the processing unit200, and send a corresponding reply message to the server10if the received message is of a predetermined type such as an ad. The server10has an identification (ID) number.

The storage unit300stores a decoding program310, a plurality of predetermined numbers320, a menu330, and a plurality of replies340corresponding to items of the menu330. The decoding program310is configured to decode the received messages. The menu330is set by the server whose server ID number corresponding to one of the predetermined numbers320. The menu330includes a plurality of menu items. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, the menu330includes three menu items: like (Y), dislike (N), reject (R), wherein the code in the bracket following the menu item is a reply code340corresponding to the menu item.

The display unit400is configured to display the message, and when the message is, for example, an ad, the display unit displays the menu as well. The input unit500is configured to allow selection of the menu items of the menu330. The input unit500can be a keyboard, a touch screen, or a combination of a keyboard and a touch screen.

The processing unit200is configured for processing the received message according to the server ID number of the received message. For example, if the server ID number of the received message is not one of the predetermined numbers320, the processing unit200processes the received message as a regular message, and allows user to respond in a usual manner such as deleting the message, replying to the message, forwarding the message, and the like. If the server ID number of the received message is one of the predetermined numbers320, the processing unit200processes the received message in a predetermined manner as in the example described below.

The processing unit200includes a short message decoding module210, a short message identifying module220, a short message displaying module230, and a short message replying module240.

The short message decoding module210is configured to invoke a decoding program310from the storage unit300to decode received messages.

The short message identifying module220is configured to identify whether the server ID number of a received message is one of the predetermined numbers320after the short message decoding module210decodes the received message.

The short message displaying module230is configured to display messages and when the server ID number is one of the predetermined numbers to display the menu330as well. For example, in the exemplary embodiment as shown inFIG. 3, the short message displaying module230displays the menu330behind the ad or as a floating menu. Furthermore, the short message displaying module230displays the menu items in a predetermined displaying mode, which is different from the displaying mode of the ad content, to allow easier user recognition. For example, in the exemplary embodiment, the short message displaying module230displays the menu items of the menu in color and font different from the ad.

The mobile communications device30further provides two reply procedures to reply to predetermined types of messages such as ads. Each of the reply procedures defines processing steps for the user. For example, regarding a first reply procedure, the mobile communications device30provides a reply option for the user, and provides an editing interface for the user to edit the reply after the user chooses the reply option. The mobile communications device30sends the reply to the server10when the user finishes editing the reply. Regarding a second reply procedure, the mobile communications device30automatically generates a reply in response to the reply code input by the user, and sends the generated reply to the server10.

The short message replying module240is configured to receive a reply code, generate a reply message corresponding the reply code, and send the reply message to the server10via the communication unit100.

FIG. 4is a flowchart of a message reply method implemented by the mobile communications device ofFIG. 2in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

In step S710, the communication unit100receives a message from the server10.

In step S720, the short message decoding module210invokes the decoding program310from the storage unit300to decode the received message.

In step S730, the short message identifying module220identifies whether the server ID number of the received message is one of the predetermined numbers after the short message decoding module210decodes the received message.

In step740, the user treats the message in a usual manner if the server ID number of the received message is not one of the predetermined numbers320.

In step750, the short message displaying module230displays the message and when the server ID of the received message is one of the predetermined numbers320to display the menu.

In step760, the short message replying module240receives a reply code, generates a reply message corresponding to the reply code, and sends the reply message to the server10.