Display of real time information for selected possibilities

Abstract

One or more possibilities that are normally displayed in response to input from a user are augmented with real time information. Displaying real time information for one or more of the possibilities enables the user to take such information into account in deciding whether or not to continue with an action that the user was in the process of performing. For example, if a partial data entry provided by the user is indicative of an extension number to be dialed to place a phone call, and if a telephone call manager that receives the user's input displays call activity indicating that the user's intended callee is already on the phone, the user may decide to wait until the callee becomes available (as indicated by a change in callee's call activity).

1 . A method implemented in a computer, the method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of characters via a dialog box;   displaying simultaneously at least the dialog box and a list of rows adjacent to the dialog box;   wherein the list of rows comprises a first row and a second row;   wherein the first row comprises a first name selected by use of the plurality of characters, from a directory based on a private branch exchange (PBX);   wherein the first row comprises an extension number of an extension of a person having the first name, the extension being supported by the PBX;   wherein the first row comprises an indication of call activity of the extension number obtained from the PBX;   wherein the second row comprises a second name not in the directory based on the PBX;   wherein the second row comprises an external telephone number of an external callee, the external telephone number including an area code;   receiving user input selecting the extension identified in the first row; and   dialing the extension via the PBX, after receipt of the user input.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the list of rows are displayed in a drop down list box located below the dialog box. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the list of rows are displayed in a window located fixedly below the dialog box. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the indication of call activity in the first row indicates call state of the extension. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the indication of call activity in the first row indicates a number of calls to the person. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first row further comprises Instant Messaging (IM) presence of the person. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the indication in the first row indicates the extension in an idle state, prior to receipt of the call activity from the PBX; and 
 the indication in the first row changes to a state other than idle when the call activity is received from the PBX, although there is no change in state at the extension. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the second row displays no indication of call activity of the external telephone number, based on real-time information being not available for phone numbers of external callees. 
 
     
     
         9 . A non-transitory memory storing one or more software programs that when executed by one or more microprocessors cause performance of a method, the method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of characters via a dialog box;   displaying simultaneously at least the dialog box and a list of rows adjacent to the dialog box;   wherein the list of rows comprises a first row and a second row;   wherein the first row comprises a first name selected by use of the plurality of characters, from a directory based on a private branch exchange (PBX);   wherein the first row comprises an extension number of an extension of a person having the first name, the extension being supported by the PBX;   wherein the first row comprises an indication of call activity of the extension number obtained from the PBX;   wherein the second row comprises a second name not in the directory based on the PBX;   wherein the second row comprises an external telephone number of an external callee, the external telephone number including an area code;   receiving user input selecting the extension identified in the first row; and   dialing the extension via the PBX, after receipt of the user input.   
     
     
         10 . The non-transitory memory of  claim 9  wherein:
 the list of rows are displayed in a drop down list box located below the dialog box. 
 
     
     
         11 . The non-transitory memory of  claim 9  wherein:
 the list of rows are displayed in a window located fixedly below the dialog box. 
 
     
     
         12 . The non-transitory memory of  claim 9  wherein:
 the indication of call activity in the first row indicates call state of the extension. 
 
     
     
         13 . The non-transitory memory of  claim 9  wherein:
 the indication of call activity in the first row indicates a number of calls to the person. 
 
     
     
         14 . The non-transitory memory of  claim 9  wherein:
 the first row further comprises Instant Messaging (IM) presence of the person. 
 
     
     
         15 . The non-transitory memory of  claim 9  wherein:
 the indication in the first row indicates the extension in an idle state, prior to receipt of the call activity from the PBX; and 
 the indication in the first row changes to a state other than idle when the call activity is received from the PBX, although there is no change in state at the extension. 
 
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory memory of  claim 9  wherein:
 the second row displays no indication of call activity of the external telephone number, based on real-time information being not available for phone numbers of external callees. 
 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus for interfacing with a user, the apparatus comprising:
 means for receiving a plurality of characters via a dialog box;   means for displaying simultaneously at least the dialog box and a list of rows adjacent to the dialog box;   wherein the list of rows comprises a first row and a second row;   wherein the first row comprises a first name selected by use of the plurality of characters, from a directory based on a private branch exchange (PBX);   wherein the first row comprises an extension number of an extension of a person having the first name, the extension being supported by the PBX;   wherein the first row comprises an indication of call activity of the extension number obtained from the PBX;   wherein the second row comprises a second name not in the directory based on the PBX;   wherein the second row comprises an external telephone number of an external callee, the external telephone number including an area code;   means for receiving user input selecting the extension identified in the first row; and   means for dialing the extension via the PBX, after receipt of the user input.   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein:
 the indication of call activity in the first row indicates a number of calls to the person. 
 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein:
 the indication in the first row indicates the extension in an idle state, prior to receipt of the call activity from the PBX; and 
 the indication in the first row changes to a state other than idle when the call activity is received from the PBX, although there is no change in state at the extension. 
 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 17  wherein:
 the second row displays no indication of call activity of the external telephone number, based on real-time information being not available for phone numbers of external callees.