Apple patents Systems and methods for intelligent and customizable communications between devices

Abstract:
Systems and methods for providing a communications system are provided. The communications system can provide intelligent communications between devices, in which the system can identify appropriate communication modes for incoming communications requests based on a user's preferences and availability. The communications system can determine whether a user is participating in an activity. In response to determining that a user is participating in an activity, the communications system can automatically identify one or more preferred communication modes that are available to the user. In some embodiments of the present invention, the communications system can configure a communications device to send a message back to a contact's device if the communication mode of an incoming communications request is not preferred. The communications system can also allow a user to customize information that is displayed to a subset of the user's contacts.

Description
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001]This invention relates to systems and methods for intelligent and customizable communications between devices.

[0002]There are communications devices that allow users to communicate with each other in one or more modes. For example, these devices can allow users to communicate via voice communications (e.g., telephonic communications and voicemails), e-mails, and SMS text messaging. Some communications devices can be loaded with instant messaging applications, such as iChat.TM. available by Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. These applications can allow users to send real-time communications requests (e.g., text, audio, and/or video) to each other.

[0003]Some instant messaging applications can automatically determine the state of a user and inform the user's instant messaging contacts of that state. For example, when the user logs on to the instant messaging application, the application may automatically set the state of the user to the "available" state. Then, the instant messaging application may automatically notify the user's instant messaging contacts of this "available" state if and when the user's contacts log onto the instant messaging network. However, in some cases, the user may prefer to communicate with only a subset of his instant messaging contacts and may not want to be bothered by the remaining contacts.

[0004]In addition, when a contact sends the user a communications request, some communications devices may notify the user of the incoming communications request, regardless of whether it may be appropriate or desirable to disturb the user. For example, when the user is at a meeting and forgets to set the communications device to vibrate, an incoming communications request may disrupt the meeting. As another example, the user may be in a gym and may prefer not to be interrupted by anyone except his family. If the user's boss calls, the communications device would immediately notify the user of the call. As a result, the user has to look to see who is calling, which interrupts his workout. In addition, if the user chooses to ignore the call, his boss is left wondering why the user is unable to answer the call.

[0005]Accordingly, what is needed are systems and methods for intelligent communications between devices, in which the system can select appropriate communication modes for incoming communications requests based on a user's preferences and availability. What is also needed are systems and methods for enabling a user to provide customized information for his contacts.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006]In accordance with the present invention, a communications device and method of operation are provided in which the device can select appropriate communication modes for incoming communications requests based on a user's preferences and availability. In addition, the communications device can determine the communication modes of a user based on the current activity and allow the user to provide customized information to his contacts.

[0007]In some embodiments of the invention, one or more categories of data can be collected to determine if a user is participating in an activity. For example, the communications device can be operative to receive sensor data, which can include location data, environment data, and exercise data. As another example, the communications device can be operative to receive device data, which can include usage data, calendar data, and news data. In some embodiments, the communications device can determine the preferred communication modes (e.g., telephonic communications, voicemail, text messaging, instant messaging, and e-mail) based on the collected data.

[0008]In some embodiments, the communications device can resolve conflicting communication modes. For example, based on exercise data, the communications device may determine that the preferred communication mode is voicemail. However, based on calendar data, the communications device may determine that the preferred communication modes are instant messaging and e-mail. In some embodiments, the conflicts can be resolved by user selection. In some embodiments, the communications device can resolve conflicts based on a priority order established for the categories of data or the communication modes.

[0009]In some embodiments, the user can provide customized information (e.g., state, icon, message, and communication modes) for display to a subset of the user's contacts. The subset of the user's contact can include individual contacts and contact groups. For example, the user can choose to display an "Available" state to a family group and display an "Away" state to a work group. In some embodiments, the communications device can automatically create a rest-of-contacts group that can include contacts that have not been configured to receive customized information.

[0010]In some embodiments, the communications device can be operative to receive an incoming communications request from a contact, and can determine the communication mode of the incoming communications request. If it is determined that the communication mode is one of the preferred modes for the contact, the communications device may notify the user of the incoming communications request. If it is determined that the communication mode is not one of the preferred modes for the contact, the communications device may not notify the user of the incoming communications request. In addition, the communications device can send the preferred communication modes to the contact's device. In some embodiments, if the communications device detects that the user is currently participating in an activity, the communications device can send a message to the contact's device that includes information about the activity.