Apple patents User-programmed automated communications
Abstract:
A communications device may be programmed to initiate a communications operation when a particular condition is met. The user may set any suitable condition, including for example a date and time, location, event, received or sent communications operation, or any other suitable criteria. The user may select any suitable contact method for the communications operation, including for example telephone, voicemail, email, text message, chatting, fax, or any other suitable method.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0001]As individuals travel more and assume more responsibilities, they often forget to communicate with relatives and friends, or forget to meet other appointments or obligations. For example, an individual may choose not to follow up on a previously-planned communication once he or she remembers it because the individual may be located in one time zone and the recipient of the communication may be located in another time zone. The communication also may not occur because it may be forgotten.
[0002]Using some existing communications devices, users may be required to direct the communications device to perform a communications operation. For example, the user may provide an input such as a verbal command, an entry keyed in on a keypad, or an option chosen from a menu. In each case, the user's input immediately precedes the initiation of the outgoing communications operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003]Systems and methods are provided for programming a communications device to generate a communications operation upon the occurrence of a determined criterion, even if the device is turned off.
[0004]The present invention permits a user to schedule a communications operation to occur automatically when a determined condition is met without the communication occurring immediately thereafter, or without requiring the user to input information immediately prior to the communication. This communications operation can occur regardless of where the user is located or what the user is doing at the time. The communications device may be any device suitable for transmitting a communication (e.g., voice or data) as part of a communications operation. The communications operation may comprise audio communications (e.g., telephone or video conversations), data communications (e.g., e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging), or any combination thereof. The communication may be sent via any suitable means for transmitting voice or data (e.g., via a wired telephone line or via cable line, or via a wireless network).
[0005]The user can set any suitable condition for scheduling a communications operation. In one embodiment, the communications device may initiate a communications operation at a specific date and time. For example, if the user knows that he will be traveling on a particular day, he may program the communications device to call a family member on that day to confirm his travel plans. In another embodiment, the user can employ an electronic calendar that is synched to the communications device to schedule a communications operation when an event in the calendar occurs. In some embodiments, the communications device may initiate a communications operation based on the location of the communications device. For example, the user may program the communications device to initiate a communications operation when the user (and the communications device) are at a particular location (e.g., the user is at a hotel).
[0006]In some embodiments, the communications device may perform a communications operation in response to receiving or sending a communication to a particular contact. For example, in response to receiving an email from a first contact, the communications device may automatically call a second contact. In some embodiments, the communications device may initiate a communications operation in response to any other user defined criteria.
[0007]When the communications device performs a scheduled communications operation, the communications device may provide an indication (e.g., ring or vibrate) of the communications operation to the user. The communications device may perform any suitable operation in response to determining that a scheduled communications operation was successful (e.g., the other device accepted the communications request). For example, the communications device may prompt the user to communicate (e.g., speak on the phone). As another example, the communications device may provide a default communication (e.g., a recorded comment). The communications device may terminate a scheduled communications operation at any suitable time. For example, if the communications operation is not successful (e.g., the recipient does not respond within a particular amount of time or number of rings), the communications device may terminate the scheduled communications operation. As another example, if the user of the communications device initiating the communications operation is not available (e.g., does not respond when the communications operation is initiated), the communications device may terminate the scheduled communications operation.
A communications device may be programmed to initiate a communications operation when a particular condition is met. The user may set any suitable condition, including for example a date and time, location, event, received or sent communications operation, or any other suitable criteria. The user may select any suitable contact method for the communications operation, including for example telephone, voicemail, email, text message, chatting, fax, or any other suitable method.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
[0001]As individuals travel more and assume more responsibilities, they often forget to communicate with relatives and friends, or forget to meet other appointments or obligations. For example, an individual may choose not to follow up on a previously-planned communication once he or she remembers it because the individual may be located in one time zone and the recipient of the communication may be located in another time zone. The communication also may not occur because it may be forgotten.
[0002]Using some existing communications devices, users may be required to direct the communications device to perform a communications operation. For example, the user may provide an input such as a verbal command, an entry keyed in on a keypad, or an option chosen from a menu. In each case, the user's input immediately precedes the initiation of the outgoing communications operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003]Systems and methods are provided for programming a communications device to generate a communications operation upon the occurrence of a determined criterion, even if the device is turned off.
[0004]The present invention permits a user to schedule a communications operation to occur automatically when a determined condition is met without the communication occurring immediately thereafter, or without requiring the user to input information immediately prior to the communication. This communications operation can occur regardless of where the user is located or what the user is doing at the time. The communications device may be any device suitable for transmitting a communication (e.g., voice or data) as part of a communications operation. The communications operation may comprise audio communications (e.g., telephone or video conversations), data communications (e.g., e-mail, instant messaging, text messaging), or any combination thereof. The communication may be sent via any suitable means for transmitting voice or data (e.g., via a wired telephone line or via cable line, or via a wireless network).
[0005]The user can set any suitable condition for scheduling a communications operation. In one embodiment, the communications device may initiate a communications operation at a specific date and time. For example, if the user knows that he will be traveling on a particular day, he may program the communications device to call a family member on that day to confirm his travel plans. In another embodiment, the user can employ an electronic calendar that is synched to the communications device to schedule a communications operation when an event in the calendar occurs. In some embodiments, the communications device may initiate a communications operation based on the location of the communications device. For example, the user may program the communications device to initiate a communications operation when the user (and the communications device) are at a particular location (e.g., the user is at a hotel).
[0006]In some embodiments, the communications device may perform a communications operation in response to receiving or sending a communication to a particular contact. For example, in response to receiving an email from a first contact, the communications device may automatically call a second contact. In some embodiments, the communications device may initiate a communications operation in response to any other user defined criteria.
[0007]When the communications device performs a scheduled communications operation, the communications device may provide an indication (e.g., ring or vibrate) of the communications operation to the user. The communications device may perform any suitable operation in response to determining that a scheduled communications operation was successful (e.g., the other device accepted the communications request). For example, the communications device may prompt the user to communicate (e.g., speak on the phone). As another example, the communications device may provide a default communication (e.g., a recorded comment). The communications device may terminate a scheduled communications operation at any suitable time. For example, if the communications operation is not successful (e.g., the recipient does not respond within a particular amount of time or number of rings), the communications device may terminate the scheduled communications operation. As another example, if the user of the communications device initiating the communications operation is not available (e.g., does not respond when the communications operation is initiated), the communications device may terminate the scheduled communications operation.
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