Communication device crawler

A method is disclosed of providing at least one shortcut for accessing a function of a first communication device. The method comprises providing at least one predefined keyword, analyzing a data structure of the first communication device based on the predefined keyword, identifying a data path to a function of the first communication device based on the analysis of the data structure of the first communication device, and automatically proposing a shortcut to be presented to a user of the first communication device. The shortcut points to the function of the first communication device, with function being related to the predefined keyword. The method and corresponding hardware components can be provided as part of a communication device and network components enabling the creation of shortcut on user interfaces of communication device without any knowledge of the data structure of the respective communication device.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention claims priority from EP 14187380.2, filed 1 Oct. 2014, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method of providing at least one shortcut for accessing a function of a communication device. The invention further relates to a communication device or network component being adapted to perform the method. The invention finally relates to communication systems being adapted to perform the method and a corresponding computer program product.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

US 2013/0139113 A1 discloses that a user may initiate recording actions both within an application and outside of an application to perform the task. After recording the actions for the task, a shortcut is created. The shortcut may be accessible from a home display of a mobile device (e.g. a start screen of a smart phone) and/or some other accessible location. The method is complicated and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

It's thus an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for providing a shortcut for accessing a function of a first communication device.

According to a first aspect a method of providing at least one shortcut for accessing a function of a first communication device is provided. The method comprises the steps of:providing at least one predefined keyword;analyzing a data structure of the first communication device based on the predefined keyword;identifying a data path to a function of the first communication device based on the analysis of the data structure of the first communication device;automatically proposing a shortcut to be presented to a user of the first communication device, the shortcut pointing to the function of the first communication device, the function being related to the predefined keyword.

The first communication device may be any device which is capable of exchanging data with another communication device by means of any kind of communication channel. Examples of such communication channels may by data networks like the internet, mobile communication networks like GSM-, UMTS-, LTE-networks or, for example, local communication channels like Bluetooth or optical or audio based communication. The first communication device may be a mobile communication device as a mobile phone or a smart phone, a computer, a laptop, a tablet computer and the like being adapted to communicate via one or more communication channel.

The predefined keyword may be any combination of signs like words, numbers, instructions, and the like. The predefined keyword may be related to any function which can be accessed by means of the first communication device. Functions of the first communication device may be any information or executable program which can be accessed by means of or via the first communication device.

The analysis of the data structure may be performed by means of self-learning search or analysis tools such that the time for analyzing the data structure may be reduced after analyzing two, three, four or more first communication devices of the same or similar kind. The same or similar kind of first communication device may be the kind of device as such (e.g. smartphone) and/or, for example, the product provided by a specific manufacturer or company (e.g. apple iPhone 5). The user thus needs no knowledge about the data structure of the first communication device. The method is thus different to the prior art approach in which the user needs a detailed knowledge of the data structure of the mobile device in order to perform the actions to be recorded. The user needs to know where to find the actions in the mobile device in order to generate the shortcut by recording a defined sequence of actions.

The shortcut may be proposed to the user by means of any available presentation unit. The presentation unit may be an optical and/or audio user interface of the first communication device or any other component being authorized to provide a shortcut on the first communication device.

The method may be performed by means of the first communication device, another communication device being connected to the first communication device or any kind of network component being connected with the first communication device.

The step of providing at least one predefined keyword may comprise the steps of:analyzing a second communication device regarding a shortcut being available on a second user interface of the second communication device, the shortcut pointing to a function of the second communication device;assigning the predefined keyword to the shortcut of the second communication device based on the respective function of the second communication device.

The second communication device may be the same or a different type of device as the first communication device. The first communication device may, for example, be a computer and the second communication device may be a mobile phone. The first and the second communication devices may alternatively be, for example, smartphones of different types.

The analysis of the second communication device may comprise an analysis of a data path of the second communication device which is assigned to a shortcut presented on a graphical user interface of the second communication device. The data path of the shortcut points to an endpoint which defines the function which is related to the shortcut. The function may be, as described above, any information or executable program which can be accessed by means of or via the second communication device. There can be, for example, an adaptable list of keywords which are related to a specific function of the second communication device in view of the characteristics of the first communication device. One, two or more keywords may be related to the same specific function. The keyword may comprise a weight indicating the probability that the predefined keyword is used in a specific first communication device with respect to the same or a comparable function of the first communication device.

The predefined keyword with the highest weight may be used first in order to analyze the data structure of the first communication device. Predefined keywords related to the same function but with a lower weight may be searched if there is no result with respect to predefined keyword with the highest weight. Alternatively or in addition, two or more predefined keywords may be used in order to determine the function related to the keywords such that the likelihood that the correct shortcut is proposed may be increased. The predefined keywords or the list of predefined keywords and the weights may be adapted depending on performance measurement with respect to time of analysis and correctness of the proposed shortcut.

The analysis of the shortcut or shortcuts which are available by means of any optical or audio user interface of the second communication device may be performed by means of the first communication device, another communication device being connected to the second communication device or any kind of network component being connected with the second communication device. It may thus be advantageous to contact the second communication device by means of a communication channel. A detailed analysis of a data path being related to a shortcut being available on a user interface of the second communication device may thus be enabled. Alternatively or in addition, a photo or video of the shortcut and the function activated by means of the shortcut may be used in order to assign the predefined keyword. A similar approach may be used if an acoustical shortcut of the second communication device shall be assigned to a predefined keyword. A microphone or the like may be used in order to record the acoustical shortcut. The recorded acoustical shortcut may in this case be assigned to the predefined keyword. This approach may be supported by means of recoding the function of the second communication device being accessed by means of the respective shortcut. The recording may be performed, for example, by means of a microphone or a camera. An example may be that a first communication device may be used to take a photo of a graphical user interface of the second communication device. The graphical user interface of the second communication device comprises one or more shortcuts. The photo of the shortcuts may be analyzed by means of the first communication device or a network component being connected to the first communication device and one or more predefined keywords may be assigned to the respective shortcut.

A user of a new mobile phone may, for example, be enabled by means of the method to provide a copy of shortcuts being available on an old mobile phone without any knowledge about the data structure especially of the new mobile phone.

The step of providing at least one predefined keyword may comprise the steps of:contacting a network resource by means of a communication channel;selecting a keyword profile available via the network resource, the keyword profile comprising the predefined keyword;sharing the keyword profile with the first communication device.

Potential network resources may be a server or internet applications which comprise keyword profiles like entertainment, business, home organization etc. The keyword profiles may be specified with respect to the first communication device which may, for example, be specified by means of a check box on an internet page in order to assign a predefined keyword to a keyword profile by means of the network resource. The predefined keyword may thus be adapted or optimized with respect to the specific first communication device. The user may select one or more potential functions related to potential shortcuts by means of the respective keyword profile. The selected user specific keyword profile comprising the predefined keyword or keywords related to the function or functions may be shared with the first communication device by exchanging the keyword profile comprising the keywords or the keywords with the first communication device. The first communication device may receive in this case the keywords and perform the analysis of the data structure by means of the method as described above. Alternatively, the network resource may perform the analysis of the data structure of the first communication device based on the specified keyword profile and either propose the shortcut or shortcuts via the a user interface of the first communication device or via a user interface of another communication device which may be used to access the network resource. It may be necessary that the first communication device and the other communication device are connected to the network resource such that the selection of the keyword profile and the analysis of the data structure of the first communication device are enabled. An example may be that the user contacts the network resource by means of an old smartphone. The user may select the keyword profile for a new smartphone which is also connected to the network resource by selecting, for example, parts of the keyword profile “business” comprising one or more business functions and specifying the type of the new smartphone in order to assign the predefined keywords to the keyword profile depending on the type of the new smartphone.

The proposed shortcut may be accepted by means of the user of the first communication device. The keywords within a keyword profile may be adapted depending on the confirmation of proposed shortcuts by means of the user of the first communication device.

The at least one predefined keyword may alternatively be provided by means of the steps of:requesting a user input;assigning the predefined keyword based on the user input.

The user of the first communication device may, for example, activate an application for shortcut generation which is available on the first communication device. The application may request a user input regarding a function to which a shortcut should be generated on the user interface of the first communication device. The user may input the word “Application 3” and the application for shortcut generation may assign the predefined keyword “test 3” to the user input. The first communication device is analyzed with respect to the predefined keyword and a shortcut is proposed to the user by means of any kind of user interface of the first communication device. The shortcut may finally be automatically generated by means of the application for shortcut generation. Alternatively, a confirmation of the user may be needed in order to generate the shortcut. The shortcut may be, for example, an icon on a graphical user interface, an acoustic order which can be received via a microphone of the first communication device or a combination thereof.

According to a second aspect a communication device is provided. The communication device comprises a first analyzer, an identification unit and a presentation unit. The communication device is adapted to receive a predefined keyword. The first analyzer is adapted to analyze a data structure of the communication device based on the predefined keyword. The identification unit is adapted to identify a data path based on the analysis of the data structure of the first communication device. The presentation unit is adapted to present a shortcut to a user of the communication device, the shortcut pointing to a function of the communication device, the function being related to the predefined keyword.

The communication device may be a first communication device which is accordingly adapted as described above. The first analyzer and the identification unit may be specific hardware components or one or more software component stored on a memory device of the communication device and running on a processor or microprocessor of the communication device. The presentation unit may be any kind of user interface like, for example, a display or a loudspeaker of the communication device. The communication device is adapted to determine and propose a shortcut to a function of the communication device. The function may be any information or executable program which can be accessed by means of or via the first communication device.

The communication device may further comprise a first communication interface for providing a connection to a network component of a communication network, wherein the communication device is adapted to receive the predefined keyword via the first communication interface.

The first communication interface may be any wired or wireless interface which may be suited exchange data with other devices.

The communication device may further comprise a second communication interface, a second analyzer and an assigning unit. The second communication interface is adapted to contact a second communication device. The second analyzer is adapted to analyze the second communication device regarding a shortcut being available on a user interface of the second communication device, the shortcut pointing to a function of the second communication device. The assigning unit is adapted to assign a keyword to the shortcut of the second communication device based on the respective function of the second communication device. The communication device is adapted to receive the assigned keyword as predefined keyword.

The second analyzer and the assigning unit may be a specific hardware components or one or more software component stored on a memory device of the communication device and running on a processor or microprocessor of the communication device. The second analyzer and the assigning unit may be, for example, part of one application program together with the first analyzer and the identification unit. The second communication interface may be any wired or wireless interface which may be suited exchange data with other devices. The second communication interface may be different from or be identical with the first communication interface. The second communication interface may be, for example, a microphone or camera. The user interface of the second communication device may be, for example, a graphical user interface using a display and/or an audio interface using a microphone and a loudspeaker. The shortcut available at the user interface of the second communication device may be an icon on the display or a spoken order to start, for example, an action on the second communication device. The communication device may thus be enabled to determine shortcuts available at the user interface of the second communication device by means of data received via the second communication interface. Keywords are assigned to the shortcuts of the second communication interface. The keywords may only be assigned in view of the shortcuts available on the user interface of the second communication device. Alternatively, the keywords may be adapted depending on the type of the communication device for which the shortcuts shall be proposed because the same or similar functions of different communication devices may be related to different keywords. The assigned keywords are used by means of the communication device as predefined keywords in order to determine and propose wanted shortcuts to functions of the communication device.

According to a further aspect a first network component of a mobile communication network is proposed. The first network component comprises a first network communication interface, a first network analyzer and a network identification unit. The first network communication interface is adapted to provide a connection to a first communication device. The first network analyzer is adapted to analyze a data structure of the first communication device based on a predefined keyword. The network identification unit is adapted to identify a data path based on the analysis of the data structure of the first communication device. The first network component is adapted to transmit to the first communication device via the first network interface a proposal of a shortcut to be presented to a user of the first communication device, the shortcut pointing to a function of the first communication device, the function being related to the predefined keyword.

The first network component may comprise a server computer, a network node or a distributed arrangement using more than one server computer and/or network node. The first network analyzer and the network identification unit may be specific hardware components or one or more software component stored on one or more memory devices of the first network component and running on one more processors or microprocessors of the first network component. The first network communication interface may be any wired or wireless interface which may be suited exchange data with other devices like the first communication device. The first communication device may or may not be adapted as the communication device described above. The first network component enables an analysis of the first communication device in order to propose the requested shortcut. The first network component may offer keyword profiles in order to determine the predefined keywords as described above.

The first network component may comprise a second network communication interface, a second network analyzer and a network assigning unit. The first network component is adapted to contact a second communication device by means of the second network communication interface. The second network analyzer is adapted to analyze the second communication device regarding a shortcut being available on a user interface of the second communication device. The shortcut points to a function of the second communication device. The network assigning unit is adapted to assign a keyword to the shortcut of the second communication device based on the respective function of the second communication device. The first network component is further adapted to provide the keyword as predefined keyword to the first communication device via the first network communication interface.

The second network analyzer and the network assigning unit may be specific hardware components or one or more software component stored on one or more memory devices of the first network component and running on one more processors or microprocessors of the first network component. The second network analyzer and the network assigning unit may be, for example, part of one internet application program together with the first network analyzer and the network identification unit. The second network communication interface may be any wired or wireless interface which may be suited exchange data with other devices like the first and the second communication devices. The second network communication interface may be different from or be identical with the first network communication interface.

The first network component may enable to provide a copy of one or more shortcuts available on the second communication device on the first communication device. The copy may be initiated and controlled by means of the first, the second or a third communication device.

The first network component may have the advantage that the determination of predefined keywords may be easily updated by means of feedback of the users who initiate the generation of shortcuts.

According to a further aspect a second network component is provided. The second network component comprises a first network communication interface, a second network communication interface, a second network analyzer and a network assigning unit. The second network component is adapted to contact a second communication device by means of the second network communication interface. The second network analyzer is adapted to analyze the second communication device regarding a shortcut being available on a user interface of the second communication device. The shortcut points to a function of the second communication device. The network assigning unit is adapted to assign a keyword to the shortcut of the second communication device based on the respective function of the second communication device. The second network component is further adapted to provide the keyword as a predefined keyword via the first network communication interface.

The second network component may be identically or similarly arranged as the first network component. The second network component provides the predefined keywords by analyzing the second communication device but does not necessarily perform the analysis of the first communication device on which the shortcut shall be created. The predefined keywords provided by means of the second network component may depend on the first communication device. The latter may be easily performed by identifying the type of first communication device e.g. by manual input or automatically when connected to the second network component.

The second network component may be part of a system in combination with a communication device as described above. The communication device uses the predefined keywords generated by means of the second network component in order to propose corresponding shortcuts.

According to a further aspect a computer program product is provided. The computer program product comprises code means which can be saved on one or more memory devices of a communication device and/or a network component. The code means is arranged such that the method according to any one of the claims1to7can be executed by means of one or more processors of the communication device and/or the network component.

It shall be understood that a preferred embodiment of the invention can also be any combination of the dependent claims with the respective independent claim.

Further advantageous embodiments are defined below.

In the Figures, like numbers refer to like objects throughout. Objects in the Figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described by means of the Figures.

FIG. 1shows a principal sketch of a process flow according to the method of the present invention. At least one predefined keyword is provided in step10to a first communication device90. A data structure of the first communication device90is analyzed in step20based on the predefined keyword. Based on the analysis of the data structure a data path to a function of the first communication device90is identified in step30. In step40a shortcut presented to a user of the first communication device is automatically proposed. The shortcut points to the function of the first communication device90. The function is related to the predefined keyword.

FIG. 2shows a principal sketch of a communication device100according to a first embodiment. The communication device100comprises a first analyzer110, an identification unit120and a presentation unit130. The communication device is a tablet computer. The first analyzer110and the identification unit120are comprised by a shortcut software application stored in a memory of the tablet computer and running on the main processor of the tablet computer. The presentation unit130is a touchscreen of the tablet computer. The user of the tablet computer starts the shortcut software application and the shortcut software application request a user input. The user input is in this case a word which is related to another application stored in the memory of the tablet computer. The user input as such or a related keyword is used as predefined keyword. The shortcut software application analyzes the data structure of the tablet computer based on the predefined keyword and identifies a data path to an application which is most likely the searched application. A shortcut to the application is proposed by generating a related icon on the touchscreen. The user may accept the shortcut by keeping the icon or may delete the icon if the icon does not represent the requested application.

FIG. 3shows a principal sketch of a communication device100according to a second embodiment. The communication device100is a smartphone. The smartphone comprises a first analyzer110, an identification unit120, a presentation unit130and a first communication interface140. The first analyzer110and the identification unit120are comprised by a shortcut software application stored in a memory of the smartphone and running on the main processor of the smartphone. The presentation unit130is a touchscreen of the smartphone. The user of the smartphone starts the shortcut software application and the shortcut software application contacts a network resource300via the first communication interface140. The first communication interface140is a wireless interface for connecting to a wireless local area network (WLAN). The network resource is a service homepage of a service provider in the internet. The details of the shortcut proposal process are discussed with respect toFIG. 4. After starting the shortcut software application a web page window310is opened in step A on the touchscreen of the smartphone. The web page window310comprises an input window315by means of which the user can select and adapt a keyword profile which comprises at least one predefined keyword which may be related to a function of the smartphone. The predefined keyword or keywords are transferred via the WLAN interface of the smartphone and the data structure of the smartphone is analyzed in order to determine a data path to the function of the smartphone. In step B is a confirmation window320is displayed within the web page window310and an icon135for activating the shortcut on the touchscreen of the smartphone. The offered icon135representing the shortcut is kept on the touchscreen upon acceptation via the confirmation window320as shown in step C.

FIG. 5shows a principal sketch of a communication device according to a third embodiment. The communication device100is a smartphone. The smartphone100comprises a first analyzer110, a second analyzer115an identification unit120, a presentation unit130, a first communication interface140, a second communication interface145and an assigning unit150. The first analyzer110, the second analyzer115, the identification unit120,c and the assigning unit150are comprised by a shortcut software application stored in a memory of the smartphone and running on a processor comprised by the smartphone. The presentation unit130is a touchscreen of the smartphone100. The smartphone100is connected via the second communication interface145to second communication device200which is a computer with a user interface230. The user interface230is a display comprised by the computer200. The second communication interface145is a Bluetooth interface for contacting the computer200. The computer200is analyzed by means of the shortcut software application with respect to shortcuts pointing to functions of the computer which are presented on the display. Keywords are assigned to shortcuts on the display of the computer based on the analysis. The keywords are predefined keywords used to determine and propose shortcuts as described above.

The predefined keywords enable the automatic creation of shortcuts which are related to similar or identical functions of different communication devices. Keywords used for creating shortcuts on a smartphone of a first company being related to a specified function may be different to keywords for creating shortcuts on a smartphone of a second company being related to the specified function or a similar function. The first communication interface140which is in this case an interface to an UMTS communication network may be used to update keywords or combination of keywords and optionally weights assigned to the keywords by means of a service provider. The shortcut software application may submit for this purpose information regarding the acceptance of the proposed keywords to the service provider.

FIG. 6shows a principal sketch of a first network component400according to a first embodiment. The principal discussed with respect to the communication device described above can also be realized by means of the first network component400which is in this case a network node in a mobile communication network. The network node comprises a first network analyzer410, a network identification unit420and a first network communication interface440. The first network analyzer410and the identification unit420are comprised by software stored in a memory which is comprised by the network node and running on a processor comprised by the network node. The network node is connected via the first network communication interface440to a first communication device90which is a mobile phone with a user interface93. The user interface93is a display of the mobile phone. The network node is contacted by the mobile phone and the software is started. The software analyzes upon authorization of the user of the mobile phone the data structure, determines the data path and proposes a shortcut which may be an icon on the display of the mobile phone.

FIG. 7shows a principal sketch of a first network component400according to a second embodiment. The first network component400is a server connected to the internet. The server comprises a first network analyzer410, a second network analyzer415, a network identification unit420, a first network communication interface440, a second network communication interface445and a network assigning unit450. The first network analyzer410, the second network analyzer415, the network identification unit420and the network assigning unit450are comprised by software stored in a memory of the server400and running on a processor of the server400. The server is connected via the first network communication interface440to a first communication device90which is a smartphone with a user interface93and via the second network communication interface445to a second communication device200which is a mobile phone with a user interface230. The user interfaces93,230are displays of the smartphone90and the mobile phone200. The server is contacted by means of the smartphone90and the software is started. The software analyzes, upon authorization of the user of the mobile phone200, available shortcuts and related functions and assigns corresponding keywords which are used as predefined keywords. The software further analyzes, upon authorization of the user of the smartphone90, the data structure based on the predefined keyword, determines the data path, and proposes a shortcut, which may be an icon on the display.

FIG. 8shows a principal sketch of a system comprising a second network component according to a first embodiment. The second network component500is a server on the internet. The server comprises a second network analyzer515, a first network communication interface540, a second network communication interface545and a network assigning unit550. The second network analyzer515and the network assigning unit550are comprised by software stored in a memory of the server500and running on a processor of the server500. The server500is connected via the first network communication interface540to a communication device100as discussed with reference toFIGS. 3 and 4and the corresponding description. The server500is further connected via the second network communication interface545to a second communication device200which is a mobile phone with a user interface230. The user interface230is a display of the mobile phone200. The server500is contacted by means of the mobile phone200and the software is started. The software analyzes, upon authorization of the user of the mobile phone, available shortcuts and related functions and assigns corresponding keywords. The software further transfers the keywords to the communication device100which uses the keywords as predefined keywords and proposes a corresponding shortcut to the user of communication device100as described above.

The second network may alternatively be connected to a first network component as described inFIG. 6and the corresponding description.

It's a basic idea of the present invention to provide a method and corresponding hardware components as communication device and network components enabling the creation of shortcut on user interfaces of communication device without any knowledge of the data structure of the respective communication device. Predefined keywords are used which are related to functions which can be accessed by means of the respective shortcut. The predefined keywords are preferably adapted to the communication device. This may enable an efficient analysis of the data structure of the communication device in order to find the related function and offer a shortcut by means of a user interface of the communication device to the function.

While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and the foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS