Abstract: A telecommunications device permits a user to perform several communication related tasks concurrently. The telecommunications device includes a user input device, a display having a tools portion and a windows portion, and a processing element. The processing element includes an element configured to represent the communication related tasks as objects in the tools portion, an element configured to launch different ones of the communication related tasks based upon selection of corresponding ones of the communication related task objects by the user via the user input device, and an element configured to change the window portion based on the user selection without changing the tools portion.

Abstract: A dynamic context filter for communication and information management filters information using dynamic parameters corresponding to a particular user. Dynamic context filters may represent user location, current time, or past preferences. Filtered information may be prioritized based on proximity, time, or past preferences. The importance of dynamic context filter parameters may be weighted.

Abstract: A telecommunications device permits a user to perform several communication related tasks concurrently. The telecommunications device includes a user input device, a display having a tools portion and a windows portion, and a processing element. The processing element includes an element configured to represent the communication related tasks as objects in the tools portion, an element configured to launch different ones of the communication related tasks based upon selection of corresponding ones of the communication related task objects by the user via the user input device, and an element configured to change the window portion based on the user selection without changing the tools portion.

Abstract: A telecommunications device permits a user to perform several communication related tasks concurrently. The telecommunications device includes a user input device, a display having a tools portion and a windows portion, and a processing element. The processing element includes an element configured to represent the communication related tasks as objects in the tools portion, an element configured to launch different ones of the communication related tasks based upon selection of corresponding ones of the communication related task objects by the user via the user input device, and an element configured to change the window portion based on the user selection without changing the tools portion.

Abstract: The system and method consistent with the present invention provides improved electronic business cards for a communication device. Electronic business cards may be created using CLID information, transferred among users of a telephone network, and used to initiate a call automatically.

Abstract: The system and method consistent with the present invention provides a contextual gesture interface for electronic devices. The contextual gesture interface activates a function corresponding to the characteristics of an object making contact with a display. The system may determine the time period of the contact as well as the size of the contact. The functions may include a wide array of navigation tools or editing tools. The contextual gesture interface of the present invention may be especially useful in portable electronic devices with small displays.

Abstract: An integrated message center operates on telecommunications equipment, having a display and a processor, to consolidate messages of different types for viewing and manipulation by a user. The telecommunications equipment receives notification messages corresponding to pending messages of different types and determines the message type of the pending messages. The integrated message center associates a message type indicator with each of the received notification messages based on the determined message type and displays on the display a portion of the received notification messages and the associated message type indicators as entries in a single selectable list. The user can select one of the pending messages for retrieval based on the entries in the single selectable list. In response to user selection, the integrated message center retrieves the selected pending message for viewing and manipulation by the user.

Abstract: A telecommunications system with multiple modes of interfacing with users. The device accepts, for example, speech or key input and outputs both graphical display data and vocal data. A display at the user site displays various communication options to the user such to call a number, call by name, or look at a directory of names. The user site also includes a voice processor that speaks information reflecting the status of the telecommunication system or reflecting the information on the display.

Abstract: The system and method consistent with the present invention provides a touch-responsive graphical user interface for electronic devices. The graphical user interface determines a pointer size of the object making contact with a display and activates a function corresponding to the pointer size. The graphical user interface may invoke a wide array of functions such as a navigation tool, draw function, an erase function, or a drag function. The graphical user interface of the present invention may be especially useful in portable electronic devices with small displays.

Abstract: The system and method consistent with the present invention provides a graphical icon identifying the caller and the location of the call for a communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating a desired record amongst a plurality of records in a telephone directory involves associating a frequency field with each of the records, the frequency field being operable to store a frequency metric. A characteristic field is also associated with each of the records, the characteristic field being operable to store a characteristic representation of at least one identifying characteristic of a rendering associated with the record. An input representation of a rendering purporting to identify the desired record is produced and the input representation is compared with the contents of the characteristic fields of at least some of the records and confidence metrics are assigned to the records respectively, each of the confidence metrics representing a respective probability that a respective record is the desired record. A determination is then made as to which of the records have the first and second highest confidence metrics.

Abstract: The system and method consistent with the present invention provides a directory with graphical icons representing characteristics of the entries for a communication device. The graphical icons are associated with additional information for the corresponding entry.

Abstract: The system and method consistent with the present invention provides improved graphical navigation tool for electronic devices. The graphical navigation tools may be used to navigate through documents at any direction at varying speeds. The navigation tool is preferably transparent to prevent obscuring the text of the underlying document. Accordingly, the navigational tool does not take up additional screen real estate. The GUI of the present invention may be especially useful in portable electronic devices with small displays.

Abstract: The system and method consistent with the present invention improves searching and display features of graphical user interfaces by providing automatic compression and expansion of the display during the scroll.