Method and mobile communication device for generating dual-tone multi-frequency (dtmf) commands on a mobile communication device having a touchscreen

Abstract

A method and mobile communication device for generating dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) commands on a mobile communication device having a touchscreen are provided. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for generating dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) commands on a mobile communication device having a touchscreen, comprising: detecting an automated attendant during a telephone call; activating speech recognition in respect of incoming voice data during the telephone call in response to detecting an automated attendant; translating spoken prompts in the incoming voice data into respective DTMF commands; displaying a menu having selectable menu options corresponding to the DTMF commands in a graphical user interface on the touchscreen; receiving input selecting one of the menu options; receiving input via the touchscreen activating a selected one of the menu options; and generating a DTMF command in accordance with the activated menu option.

1 . A method for generating dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) commands on a communication device having a touchscreen, comprising:
 detecting an automated attendant during a telephone call;   downloading a menu structure of DTMF commands corresponding to the automated attendant from a data store;   displaying a menu having selectable menu options corresponding to the DTMF commands in a graphical user interface on the touchscreen;   receiving input selecting one of the menu options via the touchscreen and activating a selected one of the menu options; and   generating a DTMF command in accordance with the activated menu option.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising requesting the menu structure from the data store. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising requesting the menu structure from the data store, the request identifying the automated attendant by a telephone number. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising requesting the menu structure from the data store, the request identifying the automated attendant by a name associated with the automated attendant at an opposite end of the call. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising obtain g the telephone number using caller identification. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the menu structure comprises the DTMF commands of two or more menus. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing the menu structure in a volatile memory on the communications device for the duration of the call. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing the menu structure in a persistent memory on the communications device. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting an automated attendant is performed using voice recognition, and wherein speech recognition in respect of the incoming voice data is automatically activated in response to detecting an automated attendant. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein detecting an automated attendant comprises receiving user input indicating an automated attendant, and wherein speech recognition of the incoming voice data is activated in response to predetermined input received via an input device of the mobile communication device. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the menu options are automatically selected for a predetermined duration when the corresponding spoken prompts are reproduced by the automated attendant. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the input activating a selected one of the menu options is depression of the touchscreen. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the touchscreen is a depressible touchscreen and has a touch-sensitive input surface, the method further comprising:
 selecting a first input mode or second input mode for receiving input activating a selected one of the menu options in accordance with respective input, wherein in the first input mode the input activating a selected one of the menu options is touch input via the touch-sensitive input surface, and wherein in the second input mode the input activating a selected one of the menu options is depression of the touchscreen.   
     
     
         14 . An electronic device, comprising:
 a controller configured for: detecting an automated attendant during a telephone call; downloading a menu structure of DTMF commands corresponding to the automated attendant from a data store; displaying a menu having selectable menu options corresponding to the DTMF commands in a graphical user interface on the touchscreen; receiving input selecting one of the menu options; receiving input via the touchscreen activating a selected one of the menu options; and generating a DTMF command in accordance with the activated menu option.   
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 14 , wherein the touchscreen is a depressible touchscreen, and wherein the input selecting one of the selectable menu options is depression of the touchscreen. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 14 , further comprising: a depressible switch disposed between a rear surface of a touchscreen display opposite a touch-sensitive input surface and a case housing; and
 wherein the controller is further configured to select a first input mode or second input mode for receiving input selecting one of the selectable menu options in accordance with respective input, wherein in the first input mode the input selecting one of the selectable menu options is touch input via the touch-sensitive input surface, and wherein in the second input mode the input selecting one of the selectable menu options is depression of the touchscreen.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the input selecting the first input mode or second input mode is provided by a sensor configured to detect when the mobile communication device is held adjacent to an ear of a device user. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sensor is a proximity sensor, wherein the controller is configured to detect an object within a predetermined proximity of the touch-sensitive input surface in accordance with a proximity measurement detected by the proximity sensor. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sensor is a light sensor, wherein the controller is configured to detect an object located adjacent to the touch-sensitive input surface in accordance with an amount of light detected by the light sensor. 
     
     
         20 . A non-transitory computer readable memory having computer readable instruction stored thereon for generating dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) commands on a communication device having a touchscreen, the instructions comprising instructions for causing the device to:
 detect an automated attendant during a telephone call;   download a menu structure of DTMF commands corresponding to the automated attendant from a data store;   display a menu having selectable menu option corresponding to the DTMF commands in a graphical user interface on the touchscreen;   receive input selecting one of the menu options   via the touchscreen and activate a selected one of the menu options; and   generate a DTMF command in accordance with the activated menu option.