Method of responding to an incoming communication received by a handheld device
View Patent ↗A method for replying to an incoming communication received by a handheld electronic device comprises detecting: an incoming communication, detecting a selection of one of a number of predetermined responses to the incoming communication and, responsive to detecting a selection, providing the one of said number of predetermined responses. An improved handheld electronic device implementing the method is also provided.
1. A method comprising:
determining, at a processor of device, a sender of an incoming communication;
providing, at an output apparatus of the device, a plurality of predetermined responses, at least some of the plurality of predetermined responses being specific to the sender;
detecting, via a sensor of the device, a movement to select one of the plurality of predetermined responses as a selected predetermined response by performing at least one of: detecting a change in an orientation of the device and detecting a change in a position of the device; and,
providing, at the output apparatus, the selected predetermined response as a response to the incoming communication.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing at least a portion of the plurality of predetermined responses in a same format as the incoming communication.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the incoming communication comprises an audible communication, and at least a portion of the predetermined responses provided at the output apparatus comprise respective representations of a plurality of predetermined audible responses.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of a GPS (Global Positioning System) sensor and a position sensor.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising detecting an actuation of an input device of the device to further determine the selected predetermined response.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the input device comprises one or more of a key, a thumbwheel and a touch screen.
7. A device comprising:
a processor, an output apparatus, and a sensor, the processor configured to:
determine a sender of an incoming communication;
provide, at the output apparatus, a plurality of predetermined responses, at least some of the plurality of predetermined responses being specific to the sender;
detect, via the sensor, a movement to select one of the plurality of predetermined responses as a selected predetermined response by at least one of: detecting a change in an orientation of the device and detecting a change in a position of the device; and,
provide, at the output apparatus, the selected predetermined response as a response to the incoming communication.
8. The device of claim 7 , wherein the processor is further configured to provide at least a portion of the plurality of predetermined responses in a same format as the incoming communication.
9. The device of claim 7 , wherein the incoming communication comprises an audible communication, and at least a portion of the predetermined responses provided at the output apparatus comprise respective representations of a plurality of predetermined audible responses.
10. The device of claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises one or more of a GPS sensor and a position sensor.
11. The device of claim 7 , further comprising an input device, and wherein the processor is further configured to detect an actuation of the input device to further determine the selected predetermined response.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the input device comprises one or more of a key, a thumbwheel and a touch screen.