Single button contact request and response

A system and a method are disclosed for sharing contact information between two mobile phones. A user of a first mobile phone can select contact information stored in the mobile phone to be shared with a second mobile phone while having live phone call with a caller of the second mobile phone. The first mobile phone transmits the contact information to the second mobile phone using a voice channel of the phone call while the phone call is established. For example, the first mobile phone may convert the contact information into an audio signal and send the audio signal to the second mobile phone while the phone call is established. The second mobile phone receives the contact information and provides a user interface such that a caller can call a phone number in the contact information with a single button press.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of Art

The disclosure generally relates to the field of mobile communication, in particular to sharing information between two mobile phones.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobile phones are an important communication centerpiece for many people and their usages continue to increase. In addition, an increasing member of mobile phone users are storing contact information in their mobile phones. Frequently, a mobile phone user (the sender) desires to share his or her stored contact information with another mobile phone user (the recipient) while continuing to have a phone conversation with the recipient. To do so, the sender traditionally retrieves the contact information (e.g., a phone number) and reads it to the recipient. The recipient captures this information by using, for example, pen and paper to jot down the information, committing the phone number to memory, or physically typing the information into an electronic device such as a desktop computer. This process introduces a risk of human errors by relying on the sender and the recipient to communicate the contact information because such information may be incorrectly jotted, down, recalled, or typed. Moreover, the manned nature of this activity may be inconvenient for the recipient, such as when the recipient does not have access to these mediums, is distracted, or otherwise is unable to take in the information.

Hence, there is a lack of mechanism and process to easily share contact information between two mobile phones.

SUMMARY

Using various embodiments disclosed herein, mobile phones share contact information with other mobile phones. The embodiments include a system and method that enables a first mobile phone user (e.g., the sender) to identify contact information (e.g., a phone number) to be electronically shared with a second mobile phone user (e.g., the recipient) while maintaining a phone call with the recipient. The system and method sends the contact information from the sender's mobile phone to the recipient's mobile phone and provides the recipient with a user interface to capture the contact information. In one embodiment, the recipient can choose to make a phone call using the received contact information or store the contact information in the recipient's mobile phone for later retrieval.

In one embodiment, the sender initiates a phone call with the recipient, selects a phone number in the sender's mobile phone, and transmits the phone number to the recipient's mobile phone while maintaining the phone call. The recipient's mobile phone receives the phone number while the phone call is alive and provides a user interface to the recipient to call the received phone number with a single button press.

In one embodiment, the system and method provides the sender with an user interface for the sender to look up contact information to be shared during an established phone call. The system and method may use the voice channel of the phone call to transmit the contact information between the mobile phones. The contact information may be transferred using audio signals. The system and method may use protocols such as the Dual Tone Multiple Frequencies (DTMF) tones to communicate the contact information. Alternatively, the system and method may allow the sender to read the contact information and enable the recipient's mobile phone to recognize the contact information using voice recognition technology.

In another embodiment, the system and method utilizes services such as the Short Message Service (SMS) and an email service to transmit the contact information between mobile phones. The system and method may transmit the contact information while the phone call is alive, or terminate the phone call before transmitting the contact information. The sender's mobile phone may use special codes to label the messages containing the contact information as special messages. The recipient's mobile phone may identify and extract the contact information using the special codes.

One advantage of the disclosed configuration is that it is not necessary for users to establish a separate communication channel. The contact information may be transmitted using the voice channel of the phone call. Another advantage is that the contact information may be transferred while maintaining a phone call. Therefore, a recipient may receive the information immediately during the phone call. Yet another advantage is that the recipient may easily make a phone call with a single button press after receiving the contact information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Example Mobile Computing Device

FIG. 1illustrates one embodiment of a mobile computing device110with telephonic functionality, e.g., a mobile phone or a smartphone. The mobile computing device is configured to host and execute a phone application for placing and receiving telephone calls. It is noted that for ease of understanding the principles disclosed herein are in an example context of a mobile computing device110with telephonic functionality operating in a mobile telecommunications network. However, the principles disclosed herein may be applied in other duplex (or multiplex) telephonic contexts such as devices with telephonic functionality configured to directly interface with public switched telephone networks (PSTN). Moreover, the principles disclosed herein may also be applied to other devices, such as personal digital assistants (PDAs), media players and other similar devices.

The mobile computing device110is configured to be of a form factor that is convenient to hold in a user's hand, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA) or a smart phone form factor. For example, in one embodiment the mobile computing device110can have dimensions ranging from 7.5 to 15.5 centimeters in length, 5 to 12.75 centimeters in width, 0.5 to 2.5 centimeters in height and weigh between 50 and 250 grams.

The mobile computing device110includes a speaker120, a screen130, a navigation area140, a keypad area150, and a microphone160. The mobile computing device110also may include one or more switches170,170a,170b(generally170). The one or more switches170may be buttons, sliders, or rocker switches and can be mechanical or solid state (e.g., touch sensitive solid state switch).

The screen130of the mobile computing device110is, for example, a 240×240, a 320×320, or a 320×480 transflective display. For example, the screen130comprises an active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD), a thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), an interferometric modulator display (IMOD), a liquid crystal display (LCD), or other suitable display device. In an embodiment, the display displays color images. In another embodiment, the screen130further comprises a touch-sensitive display (e.g., pressure-sensitive (resistive), electrically sensitive (capacitative), acoustically sensitive (SAW or surface acoustic wave), photo-sensitive (infra-red)) including a digitizer for receiving input data, commands or information from a user. The user may use a stylus, a finger or another suitable input device for data entry, such as selecting from a menu or entering text data.

The navigation area140is configured to control functions of an application executing in the mobile computing device110and visible through the screen130. For example, the navigation area includes an x-way (x is e.g., 5) navigation ring (or joystick)145that provides cursor control, selection, and similar functionality. In addition, the navigation area140may include selection buttons143a,143bto select functions viewed just above the buttons on the screen130. In addition, the navigation area140also may include dedicated function buttons147for functions such as, for example, a calendar, a web browser, an e-mail client or a home screen. In this example, the navigation ring145may be implemented through mechanical, solid state switches, dials, or a combination thereof. The keypad area150may be a numeric keypad (e.g., a dial pad) or a numeric keypad integrated with an alpha or alphanumeric keypad (e.g., a keyboard with consecutive keys of QWERTY, AZERTY, or other equivalent set of keys on a keyboard or a Dvorak keyboard).

Although not illustrated, it is noted that the mobile computing device110also may include an expansion slot125. The expansion slot125is configured to receive and support expansion cards (or media cards), which may include memory cards such as CompactFlash™ cards, SD cards, XD cards, Memory Sticks™, MultiMediaCard™, SDIO, and the like.

Example Mobile Computing Device Architectural Overview

Referring next toFIG. 2, a block diagram illustrates one embodiment of an architecture of a mobile computing device110with telephonic functionality. By way of example, the architecture illustrated inFIG. 2will be described with respect to the mobile computing device ofFIG. 1. The mobile computing device110includes a central processor220, a power supply240, and a radio subsystem250. The central processor220communicates with: audio system210, camera212, flash memory214, random-access memory (RAM)216, short range radio module218(e.g., Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) component), a window manager222and a screen manager226. The power supply240powers the central processor220, the radio subsystem250and a display driver230(which may be contact- or inductive-sensitive). The power supply240may correspond to a battery pack (e.g., rechargeable) or a powerline connection or component.

In one embodiment, the window manager222comprises a software or firmware instructions for processes that initialize a virtual display space stored in the RAM216and/or the flash memory214. The virtual display space includes one or more applications currently being executed by a user and the current status of the executed applications. The window manager222receives requests, from user input or from software or firmware processes, to show a window and determines the initial position of the requested window. Additionally, the window manager222receives commands or instructions to display and modify a window, for example resizing the window, moving the window, or any other command altering the appearance or position of the window, and modifies the window accordingly.

The screen manager226comprises a software or firmware instructions for processes that manage content displayed on the screen130. In one embodiment, the screen manager226monitors and controls the physical location of data displayed on the screen130and which data is displayed on the screen130. The screen manager260alters or updates the location of data on the screen130responsive to input from the central processor220, to modify the screen130appearance. In one embodiment, the screen manager226also monitors and controls screen brightness and transmits control signals to the central processor220to modify screen brightness and power usage to the screen130.

The radio subsystem250includes a radio processor260, a radio memory262, and a transceiver264. The transceiver264may be two separate components for transmitting and receiving signals or a single component for both transmitting and receiving signals. In either instance, it is referenced as a transceiver264. The receiver portion of the transceiver264communicatively couples with a radio signal input of the device110, e.g., an antenna, where communication signals are received from an established call (e.g., a connected or on-going call). The received communication signals include voice (or other sound signals) received from the call and processed by the radio processor260for output through the speaker120. The transmitter portion of the transceiver264communicatively couples a radio signal output of the device110, e.g., the antenna, where communication signals are transmitted to an established (e.g., a connected (or coupled) or active) call. The communication signals for transmission include voice, e.g., received through the microphone160of the device110, (or other sound signals) that is processed by the radio processor260for transmission through the transmitter of the transceiver264to the established call.

In one embodiment, communications using the described radio communications may be over a voice or data network. Examples of voice networks include Global System of Mobile (GSM) communication system, a Code Division, multiple Access (CDMA system), and a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS). Examples of data networks include General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), third-generation (3G) mobile, High Speed Download Packet Access (HSDPA), and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX).

While other components may be provided with the radio subsystem250, 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 processor220are not required by the radio subsystem250when a telephone call is established, e.g., connected or ongoing. The radio processor260may communicate with central processor220using a serial line278.

The card interface224is adapted to communicate with the expansion slot125. The card interface224transmits data and/or instructions between the central processor220and an expansion card or media card included in the expansion slot125. The card interface224also transmits control signals from the central processor220to the expansion slot125to configure an expansion card or media card included in the expansion slot125.

In one embodiment, central processor220executes logic (by way of programming, code, instructions) corresponding to executing applications interfaced through, for example, the navigation area140or switches170. It is noted that numerous other components and variations are possible to the hardware architecture of the computing device200, thus an embodiment such as shown byFIG. 2is just illustrative of one implementation for an embodiment.

System Operation

FIG. 3illustrates a flow chart of one embodiment of a method300for sharing contact information between two mobile phones. In one embodiment, one or both of the mobile phones may be mobile computing devices, e.g., the mobile computing device110. One or more portions of the method300may be implemented in embodiments of hardware and/or software or combinations thereof. For example, the method300may be embodied through instructions for performing the actions described herein and such instrumentations can be stored within a tangible computer readable medium, e.g., the flash memory214or the RAM216, and are executable by a processor, e.g., the central processor220. Furthermore, those of skill in the art will recognize that other embodiments can perform the steps of the method300in different order. Moreover, other embodiments can include different and/or additional steps than the ones described here.

Initially, a mobile phone user (the sender or the recipient) initiates310a phone call (a telephone connection over a voice (or audio) channel) with another mobile phone user. During the phone call, the sender decides to share with the recipient a third person's contact information stored in the sender's mobile phone (e.g., responding to the recipient's request). The contact information may contain the third person's name, phone number, and other information (e.g., email address).

The sender selects320the third person's contact information stored in the sender's mobile phone to be shared with the recipient. In one embodiment, the mobile phone provides the sender with a user interface such as a “send number” button to share contact information during live phone conversations. The “send number” button may be a software button displayed on a screen, a hardware button, or one or more keys on a keypad. Responsive to the sender triggering (or activating, selecting) the button (e.g., by pressing the software button on a touch-sensitive display), the sender's mobile phone displays a dialog box that enables the sender to look up and/or select contact information stored in the mobile phone. In some embodiments, the dialog box may also enable the sender to look up remotely stored contacts, such as those stored in a contact management system accessible via a wired or wireless network connection. The dialog box may also enable the sender to enter contact information using input means such as the keypad150.

The sender's mobile phone transmits330the selected (or inputted) contact information to the recipient's mobile phone while maintaining the phone call. In one embodiment, the selected contact information is transmitted330through a voice channel of the phone call. For example, the sender's mobile phone may convert the selected contact information to audio signals using protocols such as the Dual Tone Multiple Frequencies (DTMF) and transmit330the audio signal together with other audio signals (e.g., the sender's voice) to the recipient's mobile phone through the voice channel of the phone call. In one embodiment, the sender's mobile phone uses signals outside the audible range of hearing to transmit330the contact information during the phone call. In other embodiments, as further described below, the sender's mobile phone may transmit330the contact information through separate channels.

The recipient's mobile phone receives340the transmitted contact information. In one embodiment, a software or firmware process on the recipient's mobile phone receives340the contact information. For example, the process may detect the audio signals used to transmit the contact information and convert the signal back to the contact information. In one embodiment, the recipient may activate and/or deactivate the process. For example, the recipient's mobile phone may provide a “receive number” button similar to the “send number” button. The recipient may trigger the “receive number” button when expecting to receive contact information from the sender. Responsive to the trigger, the recipient's mobile phone activates the process. Alternatively, the process may be triggered and/or activated by incoming signals from the sender's mobile phone, such as the dialing tone of the number sign ‘#’ in DTMF.

In another embodiment, the sender may read the contact information over the phone during the phone call, and the recipient's mobile phone may capture the contact information and parse it to extract the relevant information. For example, the recipient's mobile phone may be equipped with speech recognition technology (e.g., software) that analyzes the sender's spoken voice.

The recipient makes a phone call350using a contact number in the received contact information with a single button press. In one embodiment, the recipient's mobile phone may pop up a message notifying the recipient that the contact information is received and allowing the recipient to dial the contact number with just one button press. The notification message may also enable the recipient to store the received contact information in the mobile phone. If the recipient is still in conversation with the sender, the message may also enable the recipient to call the contact number and host a three-party conference.

In other embodiments, rather than transmitting the contact information through a voice channel of the phone call, the transmission may take place over a separate channel. For example, the selected contact information can be transmitted330as a text message using the Short Message Service (SMS) or as an email message. The message (SMS message or email message) may include a special code (or tag) for the recipient's mobile phone to recognize (or verify) that the message contains contact information, and/or to extract the contact information. Depending on the capacity of the mobile phones, it may be desirable to terminate the phone call before transmitting330the contact information. The message may also be queued for subsequent transmission. For example, rather than sending the message to the recipient's mobile phone immediately after the sender's selection, the sender's mobile phone may queue the message for submission after the phone call terminates.

It is noted that contact information shared between the sender and the recipient may contain contact information for several persons, and the contact information may contain information other than phone numbers.

Example Processes

FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate an example process through the principles disclosed herein. In this example, Jim the recipient calls Bob the sender for Sam's phone number.FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrates a series of screenshots of Jim's and Bob's mobile phones as the example process progresses, according to one embodiment disclosed herein. Screenshots for Jim's mobile phone are illustrated on the right hand side. Screenshots for Bob's mobile phone are illustrated on the left hand side. Conversations between Bob and Jim during the example process are illustrated in the center bubbles. Screenshots are ordered chronologically, with those recorded earlier placed on top. Screenshots inFIG. 4Aare recorded earlier than those inFIG. 4B.

Jim the recipient initiates the process by calling Bob's mobile phone. Screenshots410and420illustrate the displays on Jim's and Bob's mobile phones after the phone call is connected, accordingly. As shown inFIG. 4A, the screenshots410and420display the status of the phone call (“Call in Progress”) and identify the other party of the call. The screenshots410and420include a “mute” button412and an “option” button414. The “mute” button412is designed to prohibit voice from being transmitted from a caller (Jim or Bob) who triggers the “mute” button412. The “option” button414is designed to facilitate a caller (Jim or Bob) to perform activities while the phone call is alive. The caller can trigger (or activate) the buttons412and414via a touch-sensitive display or a hardware button on a keypad of the caller's mobile phone.

After establishing the phone call, Jim asks416Bob for Sam's number. As illustrated inFIG. 4A, Jim asked “Hi Bob, Jim here. Do you have Sam's number?” Bob responds436positively by answering “Yes, let me send it to you.”

To send Sam's telephone number while maintaining the phone call, Bob triggers the “option” button414on his mobile phone. As illustrated in screenshot430, Bob's mobile phone displays an option menu432containing a list of options (or activities). The list of options includes (1) speakerphone, (2) add call, (3) hold, and (4) send phone number. If Bob triggers the speakerphone option, the phone conversation will be outputted through a loudspeaker, such that Bob may engage in the conversation without picking up his mobile phone. If Bob triggers the add call option, Bob may invite other people to join the phone call and initiate a multi-party phone conference. If Bob triggers the hold option, the phone call will be temporarily on hold, and Bob can subsequently resume the phone call without dropping the call. If Bob triggers the send phone number option, Bob can send a phone number and optionally the associated contact information (e.g., name of the person associated with the phone number, the person's other contact information, etc.) to the other party of the phone call, Jim.

Bob triggers the send phone number option in the option menu432. As illustrated in screenshot440, responsive to the trigger, Bob's mobile phone pops up a dialog box442enabling Bob to look up locally stored contacts. The dialog box442also enables Bob to type in the phone number to be transmitted to Jim. The dialog box442also contains a “send” button444and a “cancel” button448. The “send” button444is designed to send selected (or inputted) contact information to the other party of the phone call. The “cancel” button448is designed to cancel the send phone number activity and return the sender's mobile phone to a normal phone call state such as the one illustrated in the screenshot420. As illustrated inFIG. 4A, Bob confirms446that he has found Sam's number and will send it over to Jim by stating “Got it. Sending it now.”

Bob triggers the “send” button444displayed on his mobile phone. As illustrated in screenshot450inFIG. 4B, responsive to the trigger, Bob's mobile phone pops up a window452stating that the phone number will send after call ends and prompting Bob to end the phone call. The window452contains a “yes” button454and a “no” button458. If Bob selects the “yes” button454, his mobile phone will terminate the phone call immediately and transmit Sam's phone number to Jim's mobile phone via means such as a SMS message as set forth above with reference toFIG. 3. If Bob selects the “no” button458, his mobile phone will return to a normal phone call state such as the one illustrated in the screenshot420and queue Sam's phone number for subsequent transmission (e.g., once the phone call is terminated). As illustrated inFIG. 4B, Jim acknowledges456that he will expect Sam's phone number by answering “OK, thanks.”

Once Bob triggers the “yes” button454, Bob's mobile phone terminates the phone call with Jim. Screenshots460and470illustrate the displays of Jim's and Bob's mobile phones after the phone call terminates, accordingly.

After terminating the phone call, Bob's mobile phone transmits Sam's phone number to Jim's mobile phone via a SMS message. Jim's mobile phone subsequently receives the SMS message, recognizes that it contains contact information, and extracts Sam's contact information contained in the SMS message. As illustrated in screenshot480, Jim's mobile phone pops up a window482notifying Jim that he has received Sam's contact number from Bob. The window482also contains a “call” button484and a “save” button488. The “call” button484is designed to initiate a phone call by dialing the phone number just received. The “save” button488is designed to store the received phone number in the mobile phone. Therefore, Jim may dial or store Sam's contact number with just one button press.

As described above with respect toFIG. 3, Bob the sender may transmit Sam's phone number while maintaining the phone call with Jim the recipient.FIGS. 4A and 4Cillustrate this scenario. Similar toFIG. 4B,FIG. 4Cillustrates a series of screenshots of Jim's and Bob's mobile phones recorded subsequent to the series of screenshots illustrated inFIG. 4A, according to one embodiment disclosed herein.

As described above with respect toFIG. 4A, Bob triggers the “send” button444displayed on his mobile phone. Bob's mobile phone maintains the phone call and transmits Sam's phone number through a voice channel of the phone call.

Jim's mobile phone receives Sam's phone number through the voice channel of the phone call. As illustrated in screenshot490inFIG. 4C, Jim's mobile phone pops up a window492notifying Jim that he has received Sam's phone number from Bob. The window492contains a “call” button494, a “conference” button495, and a “save” button498. The “call” button494is designed to initiate a phone call by dialing the phone number just received. When Jim selects the “call” button494, his mobile phone may (1) terminate the current phone call with Bob, (2) put the current phone call on hold, or prompting Jim to select between (1) and (2). The “conference” button495is designed to initiate a phone conference among Bob, Jim, and Sam. The “save” button498is designed to store the received phone number in the mobile phone. Therefore, Jim may dial or store Sam's contact number with just one button press. Jim confirms496that he has received Sam's number and will terminate the current phone call by stating “Got it. Thanks! Talk to you later.”

Jim or Bob terminates the phone call. Screenshots460and470illustrate the displays of Jim's and Bob's mobile phones after the phone call terminates, accordingly.

Hence, the disclosed processes allow mobile phone users to conveniently share locally stored contact information. Also, the mobile phone users may dial and/or store a received phone number with just one button press.