Handheld electronic device providing an alert when additional user action is required to initiate an outgoing phone call, and associated method
View Patent ↗A method of facilitating the initiation of an outgoing phone call on a handheld electronic device including receiving a request to initiate the outgoing phone call and determining whether additional user action is required in order to initiate the outgoing phone call. If it is determined that additional user action is required, the method further includes: (i) displaying a prompt on the handheld electronic device that indicates that the additional user action must be taken in order to initiate the outgoing phone call, and (ii) providing an alert, such as an audible signal, that is separate from the prompt. Also, a handheld electronic device including a display, a processor, and a memory in electronic communication with the processor. The memory stores one or more routines executable by the processor for implementing the described method.
1. A computer-readable medium for use on a handheld electronic device storing one or more computer executable routines adapted to:
receive a request to initiate an outgoing phone call on said handheld electronic device;
determine whether additional user action is required in order to initiate said outgoing phone call; and
if it is determined that said additional user action is required: (i) display a prompt on said handheld electronic device, said prompt indicating that said additional user action must be taken in order to initiate said outgoing phone call, and (ii) provide an alert, said alert being separate from said prompt.
2. The computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein said alert comprises an audible signal generated by said handheld electronic device.
3. The computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein said alert comprises a vibration generated by said handheld electronic device.
4. The computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein said handheld electronic device includes an address book application having a plurality of stored contacts, the routines being further adapted to receive a selection of one of said stored contacts prior to receiving said request to initiate said outgoing phone call, wherein the routines are adapted to determine whether additional user action is required by determining whether said one of said stored contacts has two or more phone numbers stored in connection therewith, said additional user action comprising a selection of one of said phone numbers.
5. The computer-readable medium according to claim 4 , wherein the routines are further adapted to initiate said phone call to one of said phone numbers that is selected if said one of said phone numbers is selected.
6. The computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein said handheld electronic device includes a radio element for enabling telephone communications capability, wherein the routines are adapted to determine whether additional user action is required by determining whether said radio element is turned off, said additional user action comprising causing said radio element to be turned on.
7. The computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein the routines are adapted to provide said alert by periodically providing said alert a plurality of times.
8. A computer-readable medium storing one or more computer executable routines adapted to facilitate the initiation of an outgoing phone call on a handheld electronic device having an address book application having a plurality of stored contacts and a radio element for enabling telephone communications capability, said outgoing phone call being intended for one of said stored contacts, by:
receiving a selection of said one of said stored contacts;
receiving a request to initiate said outgoing phone call to said one of said stored contacts;
determining whether said radio element is turned off;
if it is determined that said radio element is turned off: (i) displaying a prompt on said handheld electronic device indicating that said radio element must be turned on in order to initiate said outgoing phone call, and (ii) providing an alert, said alert being separate from said prompt;
determining whether said one of said stored contacts has two or more phone numbers stored in connection therewith; and
if it is determined that said one of said stored contacts has two or more phone numbers stored in connection therewith: (i) displaying a prompt on said handheld electronic device indicating that one of said phone numbers must be selected in order to initiate said outgoing phone call, and (ii) providing an alert, said alert being separate from said prompt.
9. The computer-readable medium according to claim 8 , wherein said alert comprises an audible signal generated by said handheld electronic device.
10. The computer-readable medium according to claim 8 , wherein said alert comprises a vibration generated by said handheld electronic device.
11. The computer-readable medium according to claim 8 , wherein the routines are further adapted to initiate said phone call to one of said phone numbers that is selected if said one of said phone numbers is selected.
12. The computer-readable medium according to claim 1 , wherein the routines are adapted to provide said alert by periodically providing said alert a plurality of times.