Patent ID: 8538158

Claim:
A method of using image analysis to control an electronic communication device, the method comprising: receiving, at an electronic communication device, an incoming electronic communication for a recipient; capturing, using at least one image capture device, one or more images of an area proximate to the electronic communication device; based on receipt of the incoming electronic communication by the electronic communication device, analyzing, using at least one processing device, the one or more captured images to determine whether a face is present within the one or more captured images; in response to a determination that a face is not present within the one or more captured images, handling the incoming electronic communication as not being perceived by the recipient; in response to a determination that a face is present within the one or more captured images: detecting the face within the one or more captured images; determining whether an identity of the face detected within the one or more captured images is known or unknown; in response to a determination that the identity of the face detected within the one or more captured images is unknown, handling the incoming electronic communication as being perceived by an unknown recipient; and in response to a determination that the identity of the face detected within the one or more captured images is known: accessing, from electronic storage, personalized electronic communication handling settings for the identified recipient, and handling the incoming electronic communication based on the personalized electronic communication handling settings for the identified recipient.