FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to managing display of data in communication devices. More particularly the present invention relates to customizing display of data in communication devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With an increase in the need of communication use of communication devices has increasing exponentially. Examples of communication devices includes, but are not limited to, mobile phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA), laptops, short range wireless communication devices, and computers. Communication devices along with providing voice communication are also enabled with various other features. The various features are for example FM radio. Music player. Camera, Short range wireless communication, Loudspeaker, Image editor, text editor and the like.

The communication devices for supporting such features are enabled with different applications and software. For example, music player software is enabled in the communication devices to play songs in MPEG layer 3 (MP3) format. Likewise, a user can use the communication device for various purposes like capturing images, listening music files, watching and listening to audio/video files, sending and receiving text and multimedia messages.

For example, the communication devices for sending and receiving text messages use Short Messaging System (SMS) services. Similarly, the user can send and receive multimedia messages through Multi Media Service (MMS). There exists a various method to compose and send messages from the communication device to other communication devices.

One method is to manually compose a text or multimedia message and thereafter send the composed message. For example, the user can type a text message in a text editor using inputting interface enabled in the communication device. Thereafter, the composed message can be sent to one or more communication devices through SMS. Similarly, the user can compose a multimedia message and can thereafter send the composed multimedia message using MMS.

However in this method the user has to manually compose the complete message. Further, there may be a case that the user wants to enter data that already exists in the stored messages of the communication device. Hence, the method is time consuming and inefficient as the user has to again input the data manually that is already stored in the communication device.

Another method is to forward messages stored in the communication device. The user in this method can select a message stored in the communication device and can thereafter forward the selected message to other communication devices. In this method, an exact copy of the message stored in the communication device is forwarded to other communication devices. Thus this method reduces efforts of manually entering the data when the data is already available in the communication device.

Further, the user can also edit the selected message and thereby forward the edited messages to other communication devices. For example, the user can delete unwanted data present in the selected message. Similarly, the user can also append/add additional data in the message. Thereafter, the edited message can be sent to other communication devices. However, there may be a case that the user wants to view and/or refer a plurality of messages before editing or composing a message.

Thus for referring the plurality of messages, the user has to manually select and open each of the plurality of message separately. Further the user can view/refer data of each of the plurality of message by accessing the plurality of messages consecutively, for example one message at one time. Hence, opening and viewing one message at a time may be annoying for the user. Further the user may even forget information/data associated with a particular message while accessing other messages. Thus remembering data associated with each of the plurality of messages is even more difficult, when number of messages that is to be accessed or referred is large.

Hence there exists a need for a method and system for customizing display of data in communication devices.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In an embodiment, a method for processing data in a communication device is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of messages stored in the communication device. The method then displays data associated with the plurality of selected messages collectively on a display screen of the communication device. Thereafter information associated with each of the plurality of selected messages is viewed on the display screen of the communication device.

In another embodiment, a communication device is provided. A communication device includes a memory to store a plurality of messages in the communication device. The communication device also includes a processor that selects a plurality of messages stored in the communication device. The processor also enables the communication device to display the plurality of selected messages collectively on a display screen of the communication device. Further the processor also enables the communication device to view information associated with each of the plurality of selected messages on the display screen.

The features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the ensuing detailed description of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying figure, similar reference numerals may refer to identical or functionally similar elements. These reference numerals are used in the detailed description to illustrate various embodiments and to explain various aspects and advantages of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment, where various embodiments of the present invention can be practiced;

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary environment, where various embodiments of the present invention can be practiced;

FIG. 3 illustrates a communication device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method for customizing display of data in the communication device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figure is illustrated for simplicity and clarity and may have not been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figure may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It should be observed that method steps and system components have been represented by conventional symbols in the figure, showing only specific details that are relevant for an understanding of the present disclosure. Further, details that may be readily apparent to person ordinarily skilled in the art may not have been disclosed. In the present disclosure, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used to distinguish one entity from another entity, without necessarily implying any actual relationship or order between such entities.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment, where various embodiments of the present invention can be practiced. The environment 100 includes a communication device 102. Examples of the communication device 102 include but are not limited to mobile phone, computer, Personal Digital Assistance (PDA), smart phones, and laptops. For the purpose of this description the communication device 102 is shown as a mobile phone 102 in the environment 100. However it no where limits the scope of the invention and a person skilled in the art can use any other communication device for description.

The communication device 102, for example the mobile phone 102, includes a display unit 104 and a user input device 106. In an embodiment, the display unit 104 is a display screen of the mobile phone 102. The user input device 106 is a keypad of the mobile phone 102. In an embodiment, the user input device 106 is a touch screen input. A user can use the communication device 102, for example the mobile phone 102, for communication and for various other purposes.

For example, the user can receive and send messages through Short Messages Services (SMS) and Multimedia Message Service (MMS) supported by network operators. The user can take Images using image capturing device, for example using an inbuilt camera, of the mobile phone 102, Further the captured image can be viewed and/or edited on the display unit 104.

Similarly, the user can edit a stored message and/or compose a new message using the user input device 106. The user can also perform a plurality of operations on the messages. For example, the user can change font style, text color, font size, background color and the like of the messages using the user input device 106. In the communication device 102, the user for forwarding a stored message the user initially selects and views the stored message in the communication device 102. Thereafter, the user can forward the selected message to one or more communication devices. In an embodiment, the user edits the stored message and thereafter forwards the edited message to one or more communication devices. Similarly, the user can access and forward data associated with a plurality of messages to other communication devices.

For accessing and forwarding data associated with the plurality of messages, the user can collectively access data of the plurality of messages in a single message window. Further the data of the plurality of messages in the single message window can be customized for better reading. The user for viewing information and data of the plurality of messages can initially select the plurality of messages stored in the communication device 102. As shown in section 108 in the communication device 102.

In an embodiment, the message is a short message or a multimedia message. In another embodiment, the message is a chat message or an email message. In yet another embodiment, the message is a voice mail message or a business card message. Thereafter, the data and information associated with each of the message will be collectively displayed in the single message window, as shown in section 110. For example, as shown in section 108, the user can initially select messages received from 'Pran', 'Deb', and 'Srini' from a plurality of stored messages in the communication device 102.

Thereafter, information and data associated with the selected messages will be collectively displayed in the single message window on the display unit 104. This is also shown in section 110. In the section 110, the data 'Wish you a very happy new year' extracted from the message received from 'Pran' will be displayed first in the single message window. Thereby, the data 'New year wishes' extracted from the message received from 'Deb' is displayed and concatenated in the single message window. In an embodiment, all the information associated with a message received from 'Deb' is displayed in the single message window.

For example, information such as date and time of receiving the message is also displayed. As shown in section 110, information 'Deb' '15/09/2008 04.03.19 PM' is also displayed with the message data that is received from 'Deb'. Similarly, data and information associated with the message received from 'Srini' Is also displayed on the display screen of the communication device 102, For example data 'Happy new year' and information '15/09/2008 04.05.29 PM' 'Srini' is displayed in the single message window.

In the figure, the data and information associated with the plurality of selected messages is customized and displayed as row wise format in the single message window, is solely for the purpose of explanation. Hence it no where limits the scope of the invention and a person ordinary skilled in the art can display the data and information associated with each of the plurality of messages using any other format.

FIG. 2 illustrates another exemplary environment, where various embodiments of the present invention can be practiced. For explaining this figure reference will be made to FIG. 1. However, it will be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the present embodiment can be explained with the help of any other suitable embodiment of the present invention.

The user of a communication device 102 for viewing a plurality of messages can view the data associated with the plurality of messages collectively on a display screen (also explained in FIG. 1). For viewing the data associated with the plurality of messages collectively, the user has to initially select the messages received from the plurality of stored messages. As shown in section 108 in the communication device 102. Further, the data and information contained in each of the plurality of selected messages can be viewed and customized in a grid format, as shown in section 202.

Hence the user can view information and data associated with each of the selected message on the display unit 104 in the grid format. In an embodiment, each grid contains information associated with each of the plurality of messages that is selected by the user. For example, as shown in section 202, one grid contains data and information associated with the message received from 'Pran'. Similarly, other gnds contain information and data associated with the messages received from 'Deb' and 'Srini'.

In an embodiment, each grid can be zoomed in and zoomed out for accessing additional information that is initially not visible in the grid. For example, the user can select a grid through input device, for example touch screen input device, then the selected grid will expand and entire data and information associated with the selected message can be viewed. Similarly, the user can select a plurality of messages from the plurality of grids. Then the user can view the information and data associated with the plurality of messages associated with plurality of selected grids on a single message window, as shown in section 110 of FIG. 1.

Similarly, the user can select a plurality of contact number from the contact number list. For example, the user can select 'Piyush', 'Pramod', and 'Debabrata' from the contact number list. Thereafter, each of the selected contact number will be displayed in a grid format on the display unit 104. The user can then select a contact number, for example the user selects 'Debabrata' from the grid.

Thereafter, the grid displaying 'Debabrata' will zoom out and all the message communication associated with 'Debabrata' will be displayed along with message information. For example, the entire message received from and sent to 'Debabrata' can be accessed in the zoom out page. In an embodiment, the message communication is collectively displayed in a single message window on a display screen, as shown in section 110 in FIG, 1.

The data and information associated with the plurality of message customized in a grid format is solely for the purpose of explanation and no where limits the scope of the invention. Hence, a person ordinary skilled in the art can customize the data associated with messages in any other format. Further in FIG. 2, screen is shown to be divided in grids having only four sections. The number of grids is solely for the purpose of clarity and explanations. Hence, it no where limits the scope of invention to four grids and the method can have more or less number of grid sections.

FIG. 3 illustrates a communication device 102, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. To explain the communication device 102, references will be made to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. However, it will be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the present embodiment can be explained with the help of any other suitable embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 102 includes a memory 302 and a processor 304. For the purpose of this description and for the sake of clarity the communication device 102 will also be referred as mobile phone 102. However it no where limits the scope of the invention and a person skilled in the art can use any other communication device for description.

The communication device 102 includes the memory 302 to store a plurality of messages in the communication device 102. For example, all the messages received by the communication device 102 are stored in the memory 302. Similarly the entire message composed by the user in the communication device can be stored in the memory 302. In an embodiment, the messages are categorized and saved in the memory 302 in a plurality of folders. For example, all the messages sent by the communication device 102 are saved in 'sentbox' or 'sent messages' folder.

Similarly, all the messages received by the communication device 102 are stored in 'inbox' folder in the memory 302. Other folders includes, but are not limited to draft folder, saved folder, outbox folder, email folder, and my (personal) folder. Hence a user can select a stored message from any of the folder for forwarding, editing and reading.

The communication device 102 also includes the processor 304. The processor 304 enables the communication device 102 to select a plurality of messages stored in the communication device. For example, the processor 304 enables the user to select a plurality of messages from the stored in the communication device 102. For example, as shown in section 110 in FIG. 1. The processor 304 also displays the plurality of selected messages collectively on a display unit 104 of the communication device 102.

For example, the processor 304 collectively displays the data associated with the plurality of messages selected in a single message window. The processor 304 also enables the communication device 102 to display information associated with each of the plurality of selected messages on the display unit 104, For example, the processor 304 collectively displays the information associated with each of the message selected by the user in the single message window on the display unit 104. In an embodiment, the information is date and time associated with each of the plurality of messages.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flow chart depicting a method 400 for customizing display of data in a communication device, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. To explain the method 400, references will be made to FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. However, it will be apparent to a person ordinarily skilled in the art that the present embodiment can be explained with the help of any other suitable embodiment of the present invention. The method 400 can also include more or fewer number of steps as depicted in FIG. 4. Further, the order of the steps may also vary At step 402, the method 400 is initiated. The method at step 404 selects a plurality of messages stored in the communication device. In an embodiment, the processor 304 enables a user to select a plurality of messages stored in the memory 302 of the communication device 102, For example, the user can select the plurality of messages received from 'Pran', 'Deb', and 'Srini' as shown in section 108 in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In an embodiment, the plurality of messages selected is a plurality of read messages and/or unread messages in the communication device. In another embodiment, the plurality of messages selected is a plurality of sent messages and/or a plurality of received messages. In yet another embodiment, the plurality of messages selected is a plurality of marked and/or unmarked messages.

At step 406, the method displays data associated with the plurality of selected messages collectively on a display screen of the communication device 102. For example, data associated with the selected messages received from

'Pran', 'Deb', and 'Srini' will be collectively displayed in a single message window on the display unit 104.

Further, at step 408 the method displays information associated with each of the plurality of selected messages on the display unit 104. For example, Information associated with the messages received from 'Pran', 'Deb', and 'Srini' will also displayed in the single message window on the display unit 104. In an embodiment, the display of data and Information can be customized in the communication device 102. In an example, the data and Information can be customized in row format as shown in section 110 in FIG. 1.

In another example, the data and information associated with each of the plurality of selected messages can be displayed in grid format as shown in section 202 in FIG. 2. In an embodiment, the information is size of each of plurality of messages. In another embodiment, the Information is date and/or time of the received messages. This is also shown in section 110 In FIG. 1 and in section 202 in FIG. 2. The selection of a plurality of messages and display of data information associated with the plurality of selected messages in a single message window is also explained in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

In an embodiment, the data and information is collectively displayed as ticker information on a display unit 104 of the communication device 102. For example, each of the plurality of messages will be displayed as ticker information on the single message window. For example, the message from 'Pran' will displayed as ticker information in one section of the single message window.

Similarly, the message from 'Deb' and 'Srini' will displayed as ticker information in different section of the single message window.

In an embodiment, messages with specific key words can be automatically searched and selected from the communication device 102. Thereafter the automatically selected messages can be collectively displayed in the single message window. The messages containing key words, for example 'new year', can be automatically searched from the stored messages. Then the messages containing 'new year' text can be displayed on the single message window.

In an embodiment, the user can view a plurality of messages associated with a plurality of contact numbers on the single message window. For example, the user can initially select a plurality of contact numbers from a contact number list of the communication device 102, For example, the user can initially select contact numbers of 'Piyush', 'Debabrata' and 'Jitendra' from the contact number list. Thereafter, the method will display data and information associated with messages received from and sent to the selected contact numbers in the single message window.

In an embodiment, a plurality of messages received from the plurality of selected contact numbers is displayed on the single message window. In another embodiment, a plurality of messages sent to the plurality of selected contact numbers are displayed on the single message window. In yet another embodiment, the messages having specific key words in the messages data are displayed on the single message window. For example, message received from 'Piyush', 'Debabrata' and 'Jitendra' and having key words 'New Year' are collectively displayed on the single message window.

In an embodiment, a plurality of message communication with a single contact numbers can also be collectively displayed in a single message window. For example, a user can select a contact number of 'Framed' from the contact list. Thereafter, all the information and data associated with messages received from and sent to 'Framed' can be displayed collectively in the single message window.

In an embodiment, messages stored in a single folder can be displayed collectively in a single message window. For example, a user can select 'my folder' in the communication device 102. Thereafter one or more messages associated with the 'my folder' will be selected and data associated with one or more messages is displayed in a single message window. In an embodiment, the information associated with the one or more messages is displayed along with the data.

Thereafter, the method terminates at step 410.

Various embodiments of the present Invention as described above provide the following advantages. The present invention provides a method for customizing display of data in communication device. The method collectively display data and information associated with a plurality of messages in a single message window. The method reduces time for accessing data as the data associated with a plurality of messages is displayed in a single message window.

Further, the method is also useful for customizing display of data associated with the plurality of messages in a grid format. Hence the user can select a grid section containing a message to view the data and Information associated with the message. The method can also display data of messages associated with one or more contact numbers in the communication device. This enables the user to view data associated with a plurality of messages received and sent to a selected contact number in a single window message. Hence, all the communication with the selected contact number can be easily tracked by accessing a single message window containing collective data and information.

The method along with data also displays Information associated with the messages. Hence the user gets a summary of messages exchanged with the selected contact person. The method also customizes area of the single message window efficiently by displaying the data associated with the message as ticker Information. For example, a message containing large amount of data will take less amount of area in the single message window, as the data can be displayed in a single row as ticker information.

In the preceding specification, the present disclosure and its advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded as illustrative examples of the present disclosure, rather than in restrictive sense. All such possible modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present disclosure.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to the use of the computer system for implementing the techniques descended herein. In one embodiment, the techniques are performed by the processor by using information included in the memory. Such Information can be read into the main memory from another machine-readable medium, such as storage device. The information included in the memory causes the processor to perform the method described herein.

The term "machine-readable medium" as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing data that causes a machine to operation in a specific fashion. In one embodiment which is implemented using the computer system, various machine-readable mediums are involved, for example, in providing information to the processor for execution. The machine-readable medium can be a storage media. Storage media includes both non-volatile media and volatile media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as server storage unit. Volatile media includes dynamic memory. All such media must be tangible to enable the information carried by the media to be detected by a physical mechanism that reads the information into a machine.

Common forms of machine-readable medium include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with patterns of holes, a RAM, a PROM, and EPROM, a FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge.

In another embodiment, the machine-readable medium can be a transmission media Including coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that include bus. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio-wave and infrared data communications. Examples of machine-readable medium may Include, but are not limited to, a carrier wave as or any other medium from which a computer can read, for example online software, download links, installation links, and online links.

We claim:

1. A method for customizing display of data in a communication device, the method comprising:

selecting a plurality of messages stored in the communication device;

displaying data associated with each of the plurality of selected messages collectively on a display screen of the communication device; and

displaying information associated with each of the plurality of selected messages on the display screen.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising customizing the display of data associated with each of the plurality of selected messages.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein customizing the display of data associated with each of the plurality of selected messages comprises:
concatenating at least one of data and information associated with each of the plurality of messages in a first message; and

displaying the first message on the display screen of the communication device, wherein the first message includes collective information of each of the plurality of messages.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein customizing the display of data associated with each of the plurality of selected messages comprises viewing the data associated with the plurality of selected messages in a grid format on the display screen of the communication device.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein customizing the display of plurality of selected messages comprises viewing the plurality of selected messages as ticker information on the display screen of the communication device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the plurality of messages comprises choosing a data folder storing the plurality of messages, wherein choosing the data folder comprises selecting the plurality of messages associated with the data folder.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the information comprises displaying conversation information associated with each of the plurality of selected messages, wherein the conversation information is at least one of text data associated with each of the plurality of messages exchanged, time associated with the plurality of messages, date associated with the plurality of messages, received message attributes and sent messages attributes.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying data associated with one or more contact numbers in the communication device.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising displaying a plurality of messages associated with the one or more contact numbers on the display screen of the communication device.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein selecting the plurality of messages comprises choosing at least one of short messages, multimedia message, chat message, email message, voice mail message and business card message.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying data associated with the plurality of selected messages comprises presenting the data associated with the plurality of selected messages in a single message window on the display screen of the communication device.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying data associated with the plurality of selected messages comprises representing at least one of a plurality of read messages, a plurality of unread messages, a plurality of forward messages, a plurality of sent messages, a plurality of received messages, a plurality of marked messages, and a plurality of unmarked messages.

13. A system for performing method described in one or more of the above claims.

14. A communication device comprising:

a memory to store a plurality of messages in the communication device and ;

a processor to:

select a plurality of messages stored in the communication device;

display data associated with the plurality of selected messages collectively on a display screen of the communication device; and

view information associated with each of the plurality of selected messages on the display screen.

15. A method for customizing display of data in a communication device as described and explained with reference to the drawings.

16. A communication device substantially described and explained with reference to the drawings.