Apparatus and Methods for Audio and/or Video Communication

Abstract

An improved apparatus for audio and/or video communication includes first input means for calling another apparatus for audio and/or video communication, and second input means for terminating a call. The apparatus is configured to assign a first functionality to the second input means and a second functionality different from the first functionality to the second input means. Activation of the first and second functionality is dependent upon a status of the audio and/or video communication.

Claims

1. An improved apparatus for audio and/or video communication, of the type having first input means for calling another apparatus for audio and/or video communication, and second input means for terminating a call, wherein the improvement comprises said apparatus being configured to assign a first functionality to said second input means and a second functionality different from said first functionality to said second input means, an activation of said first and said second functionality being dependent on a status of audio and/or video communication, and wherein said status of the audio and/or video communication relates to whether or not a call to another apparatus for audio and/or video communication initiated by an input via said first input means has been accepted by means of said other apparatus and communication is established for a duration lower than a predetermined period.

2. The improved apparatus of claim 1, wherein said second functionality terminates a call or an established communication only when a further condition is met.

3. The improved apparatus of claim 2, wherein said further condition is fulfilled when there is again an input via said second input means.

4. The improved apparatus of claim 2, wherein the improved apparatus contains a third input and said further condition is fulfilled when there is a further input via a third input means.

5. The improved apparatus of claim 3 wherein the improved apparatus contains a third input and said further condition is fulfilled when there is a further input via a third input means.

6. The improved apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second functionality does not terminate a call or an established communication.

7. The improved apparatus of claim 1 wherein the improved apparatus is configured such that when a second functionality is activated, the apparatus changes at least one of its mechanical state, its state of acoustic emission and a display state.

8. The improved apparatus of claim 7 wherein the improved apparatus is a tablet computer or a smartphone, including a touch screen, wherein said second input means is defined as a field displayed on said touch screen, wherein upon activation of the second functionality, said field is changed in at least one of its position, its size, its color, its filling pattern and its filling text.

9. The improved apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second input means is configured to receive input in a first manner when the first functionality is active and in a second manner when the second functionality is active.

10. A method of operating an apparatus for audio and/or video communication, comprising the steps of: receiving input for calling with said apparatus for audio and/or video communication another apparatus for audio and/or video communication, calling said another apparatus, and receiving input via a release input means, configured for terminating said call, wherein, when a first condition is met, said input for said release input means leads to immediate terminating of said call, and, when said first condition is not met, said input to said release input means leads to terminating said call only if a second condition is met, or leads not to any termination of said call until a predetermined timer expires, and wherein said first condition includes that the call has been accepted and that a duration since the call has been accepted is lower than a predetermined period.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said second condition includes that an input is received for confirming the desire to terminate the call.

12. A method of operating an apparatus for audio and/or video communication, comprising the steps of: receiving a call from another apparatus for audio and/or video communication, receiving input to accept the call, and receiving input to terminate the call via release input means, wherein, when a first condition is met, said receiving of input to terminate the call via release input means leads to immediate terminating of said call, and when said first condition is not met, said receiving of input to terminate the call via release input means leads to terminating said call only when a second condition is met, or leads not to any immediate termination of said call, wherein said first condition includes that a duration since the call has been accepted that is lower than a first predetermined period.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said second condition includes that an input is received for confirming the desire to terminate the call, and includes that when no input is received during a second predetermined period the call is terminated automatically.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus for audio and/or video communication which might be configured in an inventive manner.

[0036] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the inventive method.

[0037] FIG. 3a is a diagram showing a sequence of the steps between a caller device and a called device in the first situation.

[0038] FIG. 3b is a diagram showing such a sequence in a second situation.

[0039] FIG. 3c is a diagram showing such a sequence in a third situation.

[0040] FIGS. 4a to 4c are top plan views of a smartphone showing the display on the smartphone when an inventive method is performed.

[0041] FIGS. 4d to 4f are top plan views of a smartphone showing the display on the display on a smartphone in a further situation.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] FIG. 1 exemplarily depicts a smartphone 100 as an example for an apparatus for audio and/or video communication. The smartphone 100 includes a button 10 to initiate a touch field 12 for providing inputs via the same. Via such touch field 12, one can initiate in a well-known manner communication with another smartphone, i. e. with another apparatus for audio and/or video communication.

[0043] FIG. 2 illustrates exemplarily steps of an embodiment of the inventive method. Starting with alerting a call in step S10, a call becomes connected in step S12. Then, in step S14, immediately a timer (T1) starts running. This is the timer (T1) defining the period during which the release functionality is modified and the described mechanism is activated. As mentioned above, it might happen that a release button is pressed. In step S16, it is determined whether or not a normal release button is pressed. In the affirmative, the call stays first connected according to step S18, but a second timer (T2) is started determining the period during which the user can confirm the call release or select to continue with the connected call, the call is muted until the user decides for further actions and the initial timer (T1) is not needed now and is deactivated. In step S20, it is determined whether a release is confirmed. This might be done by using the same normal release button or by some other input means defined accordingly. In the affirmative, then, the call is released and timer (T2) is also deactivated, step S22. In case the release is not confirmed, in step S24 it is determined as to whether a selection is made to continue the call following the pressing of the normal release button. In the affirmative, the call stays connected according to step S26, the second timer (T2) is deactivated and the call is un-muted moving to normal connection. In case the selection to continue did not take place, it is determined in step S28 whether the timer started in step S18 has expired in the meantime. In the affirmative, the call is released in step S30. In case the timer is not yet expired, the method returns to step S20.

[0044] In case no normal release button has been pressed as determined in step S16, there is again the determination in step S32 whether or not an alternative release button has been pressed. If so, the call is released in step S34. If not, it is determined in step S36 whether the timer started in step S14 (T1) has expired. If not, the method returns to step S16. If the timer has expired, the call stays connected in step S38.

[0045] The entire method described in FIG. 2 may be put into practice only in parts. For instance, the confirmation of the release or the selection to continue might be omitted, with the method ending with step S18. This implies that functions required for the next steps will also be omitted like (T2) and muted mechanism. Furthermore, the alternative determination in step S32 might be omitted. Other combinations of the above components might further apply.

[0046] Explaining the above with respect to a diagram showing which data are sent, FIG. 3a depicts a caller device and a called device. In the initial stage, step S40 is setup of a signal sent from the caller device to the called device. Then, the called device answers with an alert signal, step S42, and there is a connection in step S44, which triggers the counting of a timer in step S46. If a release request in step S48 internal to the caller device is active as long as the timer has not yet expired, the release request is denied as handled internally in the caller device in step S50.

[0047] FIG. 3b is identical to FIG. 3a, but with the additional step S52 of internally confirming the release request, of sending the release request to the other party according to step S53, and a disconnect step S54.

[0048] FIG. 3c shows a situation similar to FIG. 3a, but there, the release request in step S53 takes place after expiry of the timer, and there is an immediate disconnection in step S54.

[0049] FIGS. 4a to 4c illustrate what happens during activation of the further functionality of the release key. In the smartphone 100, a call to addressee John has been started. Then, instead of the usual release key 14, which key is active instead in the lower portion of the touch field 12 of smart phone 100, goes to a middle-upper portion thereof, thereby providing the release key 14. This situation is according to FIG. 4b is a situation that John has accepted the call, and the smartphone is connected. Once the timer has expired, the release key returns to the position indicated at 14 in FIG. 4c.

[0050] Additionally, starting from the situation of FIG. 4b, shown again in FIG. 4d, in the lower portion of the touch field, there is nothing displayed, but there is still a field 16 active, which when touched provides a specific functionality and prompts to continue with the call. So, if the smartphone is connected with the addressee John, and if the release key is in the position indicated at 14, then the lower portion 16 allows, once the release key has been pressed, to continue with the call, as indicated at 18 in FIG. 4e. The active microphone is muted. In the situation according to FIG. 4f, the initial situation is returned to again. The smartphone is connected, however, with John. Any pressing of the release key 14 leads to termination of the call.