Systems and methods for handling incoming calls on a media device

Abstract

A handheld computing device includes a plurality of controls for controlling operation of the handheld computing device, a processor, and an application executable in the processor. The application comprises logic that receives an indication of a notification sent from a communication device and logic that provides a user interface on a display of the handheld computing device responsive to receiving the indication, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of items each corresponding to a respective action for handling the notification, wherein each of the plurality of items is assigned to a respective control of the handheld computing device for invoking the respective action. The application further comprises logic that receives a selection of one of the items.

At least the following is claimed: 
     
         1 . A handheld computing device, comprising:
 a plurality of controls for controlling operation of the handheld computing device;   a processor; and   an application executable in the processor, the application comprising:
 logic that receives an indication of a notification sent from a communication device; 
 logic that provides a user interface on a display of the handheld computing device responsive to receiving the indication, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of items each corresponding to a respective action for handling the notification, wherein each of the plurality of items is assigned to a respective control of the handheld computing device for invoking the respective action; and 
 logic that receives a selection of one of the items. 
   
     
     
         2 . The handheld computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of controls comprise playback controls for controlling playback of media content on the handheld computing device. 
     
     
         3 . The handheld computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising logic for sending a response to the communication device based on the selection. 
     
     
         4 . The handheld computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising logic for suspending playback of media content responsive to receiving the selection of the one item. 
     
     
         5 . The handheld computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the notification is sent from the communication device responsive to the communication device receiving an incoming call. 
     
     
         6 . The handheld computing device of  claim 5 , wherein the selection of the one item invokes one of accepting an incoming call received by the communication device or rejecting the incoming call received by the communication device. 
     
     
         7 . The handheld computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the assignment of each of the plurality of items to a respective control of the handheld computing device for invoking the respective action is shown on the user interface on the display. 
     
     
         8 . The handheld computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the logic receives the selection of one of the items by sensing manipulation of a corresponding assigned control of the handheld computing device. 
     
     
         9 . A method implemented in a handheld computing device for handling a notification from a communication device, comprising:
 receiving, by the handheld computing device, an indication of a notification sent from a communication device;   responsive to receiving the indication, providing, by the handheld computing device, a user interface on a display of the handheld computing device, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of items each corresponding to a respective action for handling the notification, wherein each of the plurality of items is assigned to a respective control of the handheld computing device for invoking the respective action; and   receiving, by the handheld computing device, a selection of one of the items.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising generating, by the handheld computing device, one or more of a visual alert and an audio alert responsive to receiving the indication. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of controls comprise playback controls for controlling playback of media content on the handheld computing device. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising suspending playback of media content responsive to receiving the selection of the one item. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising resuming, by the handheld computing device, playback of the media content responsive to the incoming call being terminated. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the notification is sent from the communication device responsive to the communication device receiving an incoming call. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the selection of the one item invokes one of accepting an incoming call received by the communication device or rejecting the incoming call received by the communication device. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the assignment of each of the plurality of items to a respective control of the handheld computing device for invoking the respective action is shown on the user interface on the display. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein receiving the selection of one of the items comprises sensing manipulation of a corresponding assigned control of the handheld computing device. 
     
     
         18 . A handheld computing device, comprising:
 a plurality of controls for controlling operation of the handheld computing device;   a processor; and   an application executable in the processor, the application comprising:
 logic that receives an indication of a notification sent from a communication device; 
 logic that provides a user interface on a display of the handheld computing device responsive to receiving the indication, wherein the user interface comprises a plurality of items each corresponding to a respective action for controlling operation of the communication device, wherein each of the plurality of items is assigned to a respective control of the handheld computing device for invoking the respective action on the communication device; and 
 logic that receives a selection of one of the items. 
   
     
     
         19 . The handheld computing device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of controls comprise playback controls for controlling playback of media content on the handheld computing device. 
     
     
         20 . The handheld computing device of  claim 1 , further comprising logic for sending a response to the communication device for controlling the communication device based on the selection.