Abstract:
A communication device able to manage incoming calls by reference to a user&#39;s facial expression includes a storage unit, an image capturing unit, an image recognition unit, and an incoming call processing unit. The storage unit stores preset facial images associated with predetermined processing operations. The image capturing unit capturing images of the user&#39;s face when an incoming call is received and the image recognition unit matches captured images against preset facial images. When at least one of the captured images matches one of the at least one preset facial images, the incoming call processing unit executes a predetermined processing operation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to Taiwanese Patent Application No. 102141826 filed on Nov. 18, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
       FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to communications management, and more particularly, to a method of processing incoming calls received by a communication device by facial images. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Telephone subscribers may receive an incoming telephone call by communication devices, such as smart phones. Generally, the incoming telephone call can be processed (e.g., accepted or rejected) by manual operations. For example, slide operation on touch screen of the smart phones and user gestures sensed by the smart phones can be used to process the incoming telephone call. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]    Implementations of the present technology will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures. 
           [0005]      FIG. 1  is block diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method of processing an incoming call received by the communication device of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0007]    It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts may be exaggerated to better illustrate details and features. The description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. 
         [0008]    The term “coupled” is defined as connected, whether directly or indirectly through intervening components, and is not necessarily limited to physical connections. The connection can be such that the objects are permanently connected or releasably connected. 
         [0009]    The present disclosure is described in relation to a method of processing incoming calls received by a communication device by reference to facial images. 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  illustrates a communication device  100  of the embodiment. In at least one embodiment, the communication device  100  can be a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a video telephone, or other like device. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication device  100  can include a display  101 , a storage unit  10 , a communication unit  20 , a detection unit  30 , a brightness adjustment unit  40 , an image capturing unit  50 , an image recognition unit  60 , and an incoming call processing unit  70 . In at least one embodiment, the storage unit  10 , the communication unit  20 , the detection unit  30 , the brightness adjustment unit  40 , the image capturing unit  50 , the image recognition unit  60 , and the incoming call processing unit  70  can be coupled with each other, either by direct connection or indirect connection, for data exchange. 
         [0011]    The storage unit  10  stores at least one preset facial image where each facial image is associated with a predetermined operation during a process of receiving an incoming call. In at least one embodiment, a first preset facial image and a second preset facial image are stored in the storage unit  10 . Each of the first and second preset facial images represents information concerning a user of the communication device. In addition, each of the first and second preset facial images can include facial characteristics indicating expressions of the user (e.g., a frown, a smile, an expression of anger, or the user laughing). In at least one embodiment, each facial expression can be associated to an incoming call processing manner (e.g., accept or reject) to process an incoming call received by the communication device  100 . 
         [0012]    The communication unit  20  can establish a communication between the communication device  100  and external communication devices. In at least one embodiment, the communication unit  20  embedded in the communication device  100  can be a global system for mobile communication (GSM) module, a code division multiple access (CDMA) module, a wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), a third generation (3G) module, or a fourth generation (4G) module. In this embodiment, the communication unit  20  is configured to detect an incoming call received from an external communication device. When an incoming call is received, the communication unit  20  displays information of the incoming call, such as the telephone number of the device making the incoming call, via the display  101 . 
         [0013]    When an incoming call is received by the communication device  100 , the detection unit  30  is configured to detect an environmental brightness surrounding the communication device  100 , and to detect the closeness of the user to the communication device  100 . In at least one embodiment, the detection unit  30  includes a first sensor  31  to detect the environmental brightness and a second sensor  32  to detect proximity of any object in relation to the communication device  100 . For example, the first sensor  31  can be luminance sensor while the second sensor  32  can be a proximity sensor. In at least one embodiment, when a distance between the user and the communication device  100  is less than a predetermined distance (such as within 10-50 cm), the user is determined to be physically close to the communication device  100 . 
         [0014]    When the value of the environmental brightness is less than a predetermined value, the first sensor  31  generates a first detection signal to activate the brightness adjustment unit  40  to increase illumination surrounding the communication device  100 . In at least one embodiment, the brightness adjustment unit  40  can be a flash lamp installed at a side of the display  101 , to enable the image capturing unit  50  to capture clearer images. 
         [0015]    When the user is detected to be close to the communication device  100 , the detection unit  30  generates a second detection signal to control the image capturing unit  50  to capture images of the scene in front of the image capturing unit  50 . In at least one embodiment, the image capturing unit  50  can be a front camera or a backside camera of the communication device  100 . The image capturing unit  50  is configured to capture images at regular intervals in response to the second detection signal. For example, the image capturing unit  50  can capture an image every 0.2 seconds until the incoming call processing has been completed, such as the incoming call being accepted, or being rejected, or being terminated after being accepted. 
         [0016]    The image recognition unit  60  is configured to determine whether any captured image matches one of the at least one preset facial image. In at least one embodiment, when a captured image includes at least a predetermined proportion (e.g., 80%) of facial characteristics of one preset facial image, the captured image is determined to match with one preset facial image. 
         [0017]    When at least one of the captured images matches one of the at least one preset facial image, the incoming call processing unit  70  executes a predetermined operation associated with the one of the at least one preset facial image, to process the incoming call. For example, if a captured image matches the first preset facial image, the incoming call processing unit  70  can allow the incoming call to be accepted. If the captured image matches the second preset facial image, the incoming call processing unit can reject the incoming call. 
         [0018]    In another embodiment, a third preset facial image can be stored in the storage unit  10 . If a captured image which matches the third facial image is captured after the incoming call has been accepted, the incoming call processing unit  70  can directly terminate the incoming call. 
         [0019]    In other embodiments, if the incoming call has not been processed for a predetermined period of time, such as one minute, the incoming call processing unit  70  can directly terminate the incoming call or transfer the incoming call to another predetermined phone number. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates a flowchart of an example method  200  of the disclosure. The method  200  is provided by way of example, as there are a variety of ways to carry out the method  200 . The method  200  described below can be carried out using the functional units of the communication device  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , for example, and various elements of this figure are referenced in explaining the example method  200 . Each block shown in  FIG. 2  represents one or more processes, methods, or subroutines which are carried out in the example method  200 . Furthermore, the order of blocks is illustrative only and the order of the blocks can change. Additional blocks can be added or fewer blocks may be utilized without departing from the scope of this disclosure. The example method  200  can begin at block  201 . 
         [0021]    At block  201 , a communication unit detects an incoming call to a communication device. When an incoming call is received, block  202  is implemented. Otherwise, the process remains in block  201 . 
         [0022]    At block  202 , a detection unit detects an environmental brightness surrounding the communication device. 
         [0023]    At block  203 , the detection unit determines whether or not the value of the environmental brightness is less than a predetermined value. If the value of the environmental brightness is less than the predetermined value, block  204  is implemented. If the value of the environmental brightness is not less than the predetermined value, block  205  is implemented. 
         [0024]    At block  204 , a brightness adjustment unit is activated to increase the environmental brightness surrounding the communication device. 
         [0025]    At block  205 , the detection unit detects the closeness of a user in relation to the communication device within a predetermined time interval. If the user is detected to be close to the communication device, block  206  is implemented, otherwise the procedure goes to block  211 . 
         [0026]    At block  206 , an image capturing unit is activated to capture images at regular intervals. 
         [0027]    At block  207 , an image recognition unit detects if one of the captured images matches a first preset facial image stored in a storage unit. If one of the captured images matches the first preset facial image, block  208  is implemented. Otherwise, block  209  is implemented. 
         [0028]    At block  208 , the incoming call is accepted by an incoming call processing unit and the procedure ends. 
         [0029]    At block  209 , the image recognition unit determines whether any captured image matches a second preset facial image stored in the storage unit. If at least one of the captured images matches the second preset facial image, block  211  is implemented. Otherwise, block  210  is implemented. 
         [0030]    At block  210 , the incoming call processing unit detects a non-processing of the incoming call for a predetermined period of time. If the incoming call has not been processed for the predetermined period of time, block  211  is implemented. Otherwise, the procedure returns to block  206 . 
         [0031]    At block  211 , the incoming call is rejected by the incoming call processing unit. 
         [0032]    The embodiments shown and described above are only examples. Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present technology have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the present disclosure, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in the detail, including in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of the parts within the principles of the present disclosure, up to and including the full extent established by the broad general meaning of the terms used in the claims.