Determining probable topics of conversation between users of two communication devices

Abstract

A method includes identifying a proposed call between a caller using a first communication device and a recipient using a second communication device, determining probable topics of conversation of the proposed call, and displaying the probable topics of conversation on either the first communication device, the second communication device or both the first and second communication devices before the proposed call is connected.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 identifying a proposed call between a caller using a first communication device and a recipient using a second communication device;   determining probable topics of conversation of the proposed call; and   displaying the probable topics of conversation on either the first communication device, the second communication device or both the first and second communication devices before the proposed call is connected.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein displaying the probable topics of conversation includes indicating which of the probable topics of conversation are favored for discussion, which of the probable topics of conversation should be avoided, or which of the probable topics are tentatively acceptable for discussion. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , where determining a probable topic of conversation of the proposed call includes analyzing a previous conversation between the caller using the first communication device and the recipient using the second communication device to identify keywords associated with a probable topic of conversation. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , where determining a probable topic of conversation of the proposed call includes analyzing the most recent conversations involving the caller using the first communication device to identify keywords associated with a probable topic of conversation. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , increasing the probability of a probable topic of conversation in response to detecting if the probable topic of conversation has seen an increase in prevalence on news websites or trending higher on online social media. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , where determining a probable topic of conversation of the proposed call includes analyzing most recent conversations between the caller using the first communication device and at least one other person to identify keywords associated with a probable topic of conversation, wherein the caller, the recipient and the at least one other person are all members of the same social group. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , where determining a probable topic of conversation of the proposed call includes analyzing recent messages exchanged between the caller using the first communication device and the recipient using the second communication device to identify keywords associated with a probable topic of conversation, wherein the messages are selected from email messages, text message, voicemail messages, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , where determining a probable topic of conversation of the proposed call includes analyzing content recently viewed by the caller using the first communication device to identify keywords associated with a probable topic of conversation. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein a probability associated with a probable topic of conversation increases with an amount of time the caller uses the first communication device to view the content or the number of web sites recently viewed that contain about the same probable topic of conversation. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , where determining a probable topic of conversation of the proposed call includes analyzing recent posts to social media by the caller using the first communication device to identify keywords associated with a probable topic of conversation. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , where determining a probable topic of conversation of the proposed call includes analyzing social media to identify a recent change in relationship status of the caller. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 displaying an indication of probability associated with each of the probable topics of conversation.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the probability associated with each of the probable topics of conversation is based upon a factor selected from a number of calls involving the caller within a recent time frame on the probable topic, a number of social media posts or blog entries of the caller on the probable topic, an amount of time the caller has spent viewing online content on the probable topic, a number of recent updates from a news website on the probable topic, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining the identity of a person, other than the recipient, in proximity to the second communication device;   determining which of the probable topics of conversation are to be avoided based on the identity of the person in proximity to the second communication device; and   display the probable topics of conversation to the caller on the first communication device along with an indication of which of the probable topics of conversation are to be avoided.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the second communication device or a network server determine which of the probable topics of conversation are to be avoided. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein determining the identity of a person, other than the recipient, in proximity to the second communication device includes:
 using a camera on the second communication device to capture an image and analyzing the image using a facial recognition software module to identify the person from among a stored contact list;   using a microphone on the second communication device to capture sounds and analyzing the sounds using a voice recognition software module to identify the person from among a stored contact list; or   using a wireless receiver on the second communication device to detect another communication device in proximity of the second communication device and determine the identity of a person whose communication device is detected by the wireless receiver.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein determining which of the probable topics of conversation are to be avoided based on the identity of the person in proximity to the second communication device includes determining whether the person has a negative sentiment about each of the probable topics of conversation and identifying the probable topics of conversation for which the person has been determined to have a negative sentiment. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein negative sentiment is identified by analyzing previous conversations with the person or social media content posted by the person. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein determining which of the probable topics of conversation are to be avoided based on the identity of the person in proximity to the second communication device includes determining whether the identified people are younger than a predetermined age restriction for the probable topics. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein determining which of the probable topics of conversation are to be avoided based on the identity of the person in proximity to the second communication device includes determining whether the recipient is using a speakerphone.