Abstract:
Apparatus having corresponding methods, and tangible computer-readable media embodying instructions executable by a computer to perform the methods, comprise: a touch panel; a character recognition module to recognize a character drawn on the touch panel; a contact module to select a contact, from a contact list containing a plurality of the contacts, based on the character recognized by the character recognition module, automatically when the character recognition module recognizes the character drawn on the touch panel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/089,835, filed Aug. 18, 2008, and Ser. No. 61/089,836, filed Aug. 18, 2008, the disclosures thereof incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to communication devices such as telephones. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to dialing and contact lookup features for such devices. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Modern telephones, both wired and wireless, now include many features for the convenience of users. One such feature, called speed dial, enables a user to associate a frequently-called telephone number with a single digit. When that digit is pressed on the telephone keypad for a given interval, the telephone automatically dials the associated telephone number. However, telephones have now been introduced that have no keypad, but instead have only a touchpad. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features an apparatus comprising: a touch panel; a character recognition module to recognize a character drawn on the touch panel; a contact module to select a contact, from a contact list containing a plurality of the contacts, based on the character recognized by the character recognition module, automatically when the character recognition module recognizes the character drawn on the touch panel. 
         [0005]    Embodiments of the apparatus can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise a communication module to initiate a communication link, with the contact selected by the contact module, automatically when the contact module selects the contact. Some embodiments comprise a display, wherein the display remains off while the character recognition module recognizes the character drawn on the touch panel, the contact module selects the contact, and the communication module initiates the communication link. Some embodiments comprise a display to display the contact list, and to indicate the contact selected by the contact module, automatically when the contact module selects the contact from the contact list; and a communication module to initiate a communication link, with one of the contacts, automatically when the touch panel receives a selection of the one of the contacts. Some embodiments comprise a motion sensor to cause the apparatus to enter a character recognition mode based on motion of the apparatus; wherein the character recognition module recognizes the character drawn on the touch panel only when the apparatus is in the character recognition mode. Some embodiments comprise a timeout module to cause the apparatus to leave the character recognition mode when the character recognition module does not recognize the character drawn on the touch panel within a predetermined interval. Some embodiments comprise a sleep module to cause the apparatus to enter a sleep mode when the timeout module causes the apparatus to leave the character recognition mode. 
         [0006]    In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features a method comprising: recognizing a character drawn on a touch panel of a device; and selecting a contact, from a contact list containing a plurality of the contacts, based on the character, automatically when the character is recognized. 
         [0007]    Embodiments of the method can include one or more of the following features. Some embodiments comprise initiating a communication link, with the selected contact, automatically when the contact is selected. Some embodiments comprise keeping a display of the device off while the character is drawn and recognized, while the contact is selected, and while the communication link is initiated. Some embodiments comprise displaying the contact list on a display of the device, and indicating the selected contact, automatically when the contact is selected from the contact list; and initiating a communication link, with one of the contacts, automatically when the touch panel receives a selection of the one of the contacts. Some embodiments comprise causing the device to enter a character recognition mode based on motion of the device; and recognizing the character drawn on the touch panel only when the device is in the character recognition mode. Some embodiments comprise causing the device to leave the character recognition mode when the character drawn on the touch panel is not recognized within a predetermined interval. Some embodiments comprise causing the device to enter a sleep mode when the device leaves the character recognition mode. 
         [0008]    In general, in one aspect, an embodiment features tangible computer-readable media embodying instructions executable by a computer to perform a method comprising: recognizing a character drawn on a touch panel of a device; and selecting a contact, from a contact list containing a plurality of the contacts, based on the character, automatically when the character is recognized. 
         [0009]    Embodiments of the tangible computer-readable media can include one or more of the following features. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: initiating a communication link, with the selected contact, automatically when the contact is selected. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: keeping a display of the device off while the character is drawn and recognized, while the contact is selected, and while the communication link is initiated. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: causing a display of the device to display the contact list and indicate the selected contact, automatically when the contact is selected from the contact list; and initiating a communication link, with one of the contacts, automatically when the touch panel receives a selection of the one of the contacts. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: causing the device to enter a character recognition mode based on motion of the device; and recognizing the character drawn on the touch panel only when the device is in the character recognition mode. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: causing the device to leave the character recognition mode when the character drawn on the touch panel is not recognized within a predetermined interval. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: causing the device to enter a sleep mode when the device leaves the character recognition mode. 
         [0010]    The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows elements of a telephone system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a process for the telephone of  FIG. 1  for a one-touch dial power-saving profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a process for the telephone of  FIG. 1  for a one-touch dial display profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  shows a process for the telephone of  FIG. 1  for a one-touch dial power-on profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  shows a process for the telephone of  FIG. 1  for a fast contact lookup profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
       [0016]    The leading digit(s) of each reference numeral used in this specification indicates the number of the drawing in which the reference numeral first appears. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Embodiments of the present disclosure provide one-touch dial and fast contact lookup features for telephones having a touchpad.  FIG. 1  shows elements of a telephone system  100  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Although in the described embodiments, the elements of telephone system  100  are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements, as will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein. For example, the elements of telephone system  100  can be implemented in hardware, software, or combinations thereof. 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , telephone system  100  includes a telephone  102  and a network  104 . Telephone  102  includes a touch panel  106 , a display  108 , a character recognition module  110  to recognize characters drawn on touch panel  106 , a contact module  112  to select contacts from a contact list  116  stored in a memory  114  based on characters recognized by character recognition module  110 , a communication module  118  to initiate communication links  120  over network  104 , a motion sensor  122 , a timeout module  124 , and a sleep module  126 . Telephone  102  can also include a light-emitting diode (LED)  128 . 
         [0019]    Network  104  can be implemented as any sort of telephone network, including wired public switched telephone network (PSTN) networks, wireless networks, data networks such as the Internet, and the like. But while embodiments of the present disclosure are described with respect to telephones and telephone networks, they are equally applicable to other sorts of communication devices, networks, direct links and the like. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  shows a process  200  for telephone  102  of  FIG. 1  for a one-touch dial power-saving profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Although in the described embodiments, the elements of the disclosed processes are presented in one arrangement, other embodiments may feature other arrangements, as will be apparent to one skilled in the relevant arts based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein. For example, in various embodiments, some or all of the steps of the disclosed processes can be executed in a different order, concurrently, and the like. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , process  200  begins with telephone  102  in sleep mode (step  202 ), which is controlled by sleep module  126 . The sleep mode can be implemented in any manner, and generally involves deactivation of one or more elements of telephone  102  such as display  108 , touch panel  106 , and the like, as is well-known. 
         [0022]    A user can wake telephone  102  by shaking For example, when telephone  102  is shaken twice, motion sensor  122  detects the motion of telephone  102 , and in response causes telephone  102  to leave sleep mode, and to enter character recognition mode (step  204 ). It is possible that motion sensor  122  will fail to wake telephone  102 . In some embodiments, a button can be provided to wake telephone  102 . 
         [0023]    In character recognition mode according to the one-touch dial power-saving profile, touch panel  106  is on, display  108  is off, and LED  128  flickers to indicate character recognition mode is active (step  206 ). In character recognition mode, character recognition module  110  can recognize a character drawn on touch panel  106 , for example with a finger, stylus, or the like. In the described embodiments, characters drawn on touch panel  106  are recognized only when telephone  102  is in character recognition mode. 
         [0024]    If character recognition module  110  does not recognize the character drawn on touch panel  106  within a predetermined interval, timeout module  124  causes telephone  102  to leave character recognition mode (step  208 ), and to enter sleep mode (step  210 ). But if character recognition module  110  recognizes the character drawn on touch panel  106  within the predetermined interval, then telephone  102  enters call mode (step  212 ). In call mode according to the one-touch dial power-saving profile, touch panel  106  is on, display  108  is off, and LED  128  is on to indicate call mode is active. In addition, contact module  112  automatically selects a contact from contact list  116  based on the character recognized by character recognition module  110 , and a communication module  118  automatically initiates a communication link  120  with the contact selected by contact module  112 . In the described embodiments, communication link  120  can include a voice call, a Short Message Service (SMS) message, a text message, an email, or the like. When the call ends, telephone  102  leaves call mode (step  214 ), and sleep module  126  causes telephone  102  to enter sleep mode (step  210 ). 
         [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a process  300  for telephone  102  of  FIG. 1  for a one-touch dial display profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 3 , process  300  begins with telephone  102  in sleep mode (step  302 ), which is controlled by sleep module  126 . The sleep mode can be implemented in any manner, and generally involves deactivation of one or more elements of telephone  102  such as display  108 , touch panel  106 , and the like, as is well-known. 
         [0026]    A user can wake telephone  102  by shaking. For example, when telephone  102  is shaken twice, motion sensor  122  detects the motion of telephone  102 , and in response causes telephone  102  to leave sleep mode, and to enter character recognition mode (step  304 ). In character recognition mode according to the one-touch dial display profile, touch panel  106  is on, and display  108  is on to indicate character recognition mode is active by showing a character recognition display (step  306 ). In character recognition mode, character recognition module  110  can recognize a character drawn on touch panel  106 , for example with a finger, stylus, or the like. 
         [0027]    If character recognition module  110  does not recognize the character drawn on touch panel  106  within a predetermined interval, timeout module  124  causes telephone  102  to leave character recognition mode (step  308 ), and to enter sleep mode (step  310 ). But if character recognition module  110  recognizes the character drawn on touch panel  106  within the predetermined interval, then telephone  102  enters call mode (step  312 ). In call mode according to the one-touch dial display profile, touch panel  106  is on, and display  108  is on to indicate call mode is active. In some embodiments, display  108  shows the character as it is drawn, and confirms the character on recognition by showing a stored version of the character. In addition, contact module  112  automatically selects a contact from contact list  116  based on the character recognized by character recognition module  110 , and communication module  118  automatically initiates a communication link  120  with the contact selected by contact module  112 . When the call ends, telephone  102  leaves call mode (step  314 ), and sleep module  126  causes telephone  102  to enter sleep mode (step  310 ). 
         [0028]      FIG. 4  shows a process  400  for telephone  102  of  FIG. 1  for a one-touch dial power-on profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 4 , process  400  begins with telephone  102  in power-on mode (step  402 ). In power-on mode, a user can cause telephone  102  to enter character recognition mode by shaking. For example, when telephone  102  is shaken twice, motion sensor  122  detects the motion of telephone  102 , and in response causes telephone  102  to enter character recognition mode (step  404 ). In character recognition mode according to the one-touch dial power-on profile, touch panel  106  is on, and display  108  is on to indicate character recognition mode is active by showing a character recognition display (step  406 ). In character recognition mode, character recognition module  110  can recognize a character drawn on touch panel  106 , for example with a finger, stylus, or the like. 
         [0029]    If character recognition module  110  does not recognize the character drawn on touch panel  106  within a predetermined interval, timeout module  124  causes telephone  102  to leave character recognition mode (step  408 ), and to return to power-on mode (step  410 ). But if character recognition module  110  recognizes the character drawn on touch panel  106  within the predetermined interval, then telephone  102  enters call mode (step  412 ). In call mode according to the one-touch dial power-on profile, touch panel  106  is on, and display  108  is on to indicate call mode is active. In some embodiments, display  108  shows the character as it is drawn, and confirms the character on recognition by showing a stored version of the character. In addition, contact module  112  automatically selects a contact from contact list  116  based on the character recognized by character recognition module  110 , and communication module  118  automatically initiates a communication link  120  with the contact selected by contact module  112 . When the call ends, telephone  102  leaves call mode (step  414 ), and returns to power-on mode (step  410 ). 
         [0030]      FIG. 5  shows a process  500  for telephone  102  of  FIG. 1  for a fast contact lookup profile according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 5 , process  500  begins with telephone  102  in sleep mode (step  502 ), which is controlled by sleep module  126 . The sleep mode can be implemented in any manner, and generally involves deactivation of one or more elements of telephone  102  such as display  108 , touch panel  106 , and the like, as is well-known. 
         [0031]    A user can wake telephone  102  by shaking. For example, when telephone  102  is shaken twice, motion sensor  122  detects the motion of telephone  102 , and in response causes telephone  102  to leave sleep mode, and to enter character recognition mode (step  504 ). In character recognition mode according to the fast contact lookup profile, touch panel  106  is on, and display  108  is on to indicate character recognition mode is active by showing a character recognition display (step  506 ). In character recognition mode, character recognition module  110  can recognize a character drawn on touch panel  106 , for example with a finger, stylus, or the like. 
         [0032]    If character recognition module  110  does not recognize the character drawn on touch panel  106  within a predetermined interval, timeout module  124  causes telephone  102  to leave character recognition mode (step  508 ), and to enter sleep mode (step  510 ). But if character recognition module  110  recognizes the character drawn on touch panel  106  within the predetermined interval, then telephone  102  enters call mode (step  512 ). If the character recognized is a digit, telephone  102  leaves the fast contact lookup profile, and enters one of the one-touch dial profiles described above. But if the character recognized is a letter, telephone  102  continues in the fast contact lookup profile. 
         [0033]    In call mode according to the fast contact lookup profile, touch panel  106  is on and display  108  is on to indicate call mode is active. In addition, display  108  automatically displays all or part of contact list  116  based on the character recognized. For example, if the character recognized is a “D,” then display  108  displays the entries in contact list  116  that start with the letter “D.” A user can then select a contact from the displayed contacts, or cancel the operation using touch panel  106 . 
         [0034]    If the user selects a contact, communication module  118  automatically initiates a communication link  120  with the selected contact. When the call ends, telephone  102  leaves call mode (step  514 ), and sleep module  126  causes telephone  102  to enter sleep mode (step  510 ). 
         [0035]    A number of profiles have been described for telephone  102 . It should be understood that features and functions of these profiles can be interchanged and modified to created additional profiles without undue experimentation after reading this disclosure. 
         [0036]    Embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Embodiments of the disclosure can be implemented in a computer program product tangibly embodied in a machine-readable storage device for execution by a programmable processor; and method steps of the disclosure can be performed by a programmable processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the disclosure by operating on input data and generating output. The disclosure can be implemented advantageously in one or more computer programs that are executable on a programmable system including at least one programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructions from, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system, at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computer program can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-oriented programming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; and in any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random access memory. Generally, a computer will include one or more mass storage devices for storing data files; such devices include magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and optical disks. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM disks. Any of the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, ASICs (application-specific integrated circuits). 
         [0037]    A number of implementations of the disclosure have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.