U.S. patent application number 11/753456 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for real-time call control system.
Invention is credited to Wendell Brown, Oliver Renner Capio, William Clarence Hatcher, Mark Klein.
Application Number | 20070230668 11/753456 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38056801 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070230668 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brown; Wendell ; et
al. |
October 4, 2007 |
REAL-TIME CALL CONTROL SYSTEM
Abstract
A system and method are provided for real-time call control.
When a call is received at a telephone server for a service
subscriber, the server identifies the subscriber and retrieves
information that will allow the server to contact the subscriber
via instant messaging. An instant message is sent to the
subscriber, and includes any number of options for controlling or
handling the call. The options may be presented as hyperlinks, or
the selected option may be returned in another instant message. The
subscriber selects an option and communicates it to the server,
which effects the selected option. The server may establish an
audio connection between the server and the subscriber's computer
or communication device (to allow the parties to talk), may
transfer the call to another number, play a message for the caller
(which may be pre-recorded or recorded in real-time), record a
voicemail (which the subscriber may screen), etc.
Inventors: |
Brown; Wendell; (Las Vegas,
NV) ; Hatcher; William Clarence; (Menlo Park, CA)
; Capio; Oliver Renner; (Mountain View, CA) ;
Klein; Mark; (Los Altos, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GLENN PATENT GROUP
3475 EDISON WAY, SUITE L
MENLO PARK
CA
94025
US
|
Family ID: |
38056801 |
Appl. No.: |
11/753456 |
Filed: |
May 24, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09815819 |
Mar 23, 2001 |
7224774 |
|
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11753456 |
May 24, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
379/88.14 ;
379/88.17; 704/E13.008; 704/E15.045 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 51/04 20130101;
H04M 7/0045 20130101; G10L 15/26 20130101; H04M 7/0033 20130101;
H04L 51/066 20130101; G10L 13/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/088.14 ;
379/088.17 |
International
Class: |
H04M 11/00 20060101
H04M011/00; H04M 3/42 20060101 H04M003/42 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling a telephone call to an instant messaging
user, comprising: receiving at a call server a call directed to the
user; identifying an instant messaging service used by the user;
sending an instant message to the user through the instant
messaging service to offer the user one or more options for
responding to the call; if no response is received from the user
within a predetermined period of time, controlling the call as
specified in a default option; otherwise: receiving an option
selection from the user; and controlling the call as specified in
said selected option; wherein when the user selects an option to
answer the call over the instant messaging service, said
controlling step comprises the step of: if the instant messaging
service is not communicatively coupled to a speaker at the user's
side, establishing verbal-textual communication between the caller
and the user by enabling speech-to-text software conversion.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein said controlling step further
comprises the steps of: if the instant messaging service is
communicatively coupled to both a microphone and a speaker at the
user's side, establishing an audio connection between the user and
the caller; and if the instant messaging service is not
communicatively coupled to both a microphone and a speaker at the
user's side, establishing verbal-textual communication between the
caller and the user by enabling speech-to-text and/or
text-to-speech software conversion.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a user
name of the user for the instant messaging service.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said one or more options include
one or more of the set of: transfer the call, answer the call, take
a message from the caller and play a message for the caller.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein said option selection is received
in an instant message from the user.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein said selected option is presented
in said instant message as a hyperlink and said receiving said
option selection comprises receiving a communication connection
initiated by the user's selection of said selected option.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein said selected option is to play a
message for the caller, the method further comprising recording a
message from the user.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein said selected option is to play a
message for the caller and said controlling comprises: converting a
textual message provided by the user into audio; and playing said
converted message for the caller.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein said selected option is to answer
the call and said controlling comprises: establishing an audio
connection between the user and said call server; and bridging the
call onto said audio connection.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein said audio connection is
established through the instant messaging service without further
action by the caller.
11. The method of claim 9, wherein the user is equipped for only
one-way audio and said controlling step further comprises:
executing one of a text-to-speech module and a speech-to-text
module to allow communication between the user and the caller in
the direction opposite to said one-way.
12. A method of handling a telephone call for a subscriber,
comprising: receiving at a call server a call for a subscriber;
identifying a first computer-implemented instant messaging system
used by the subscriber; sending a first instant message to the
subscriber through the instant messaging system, wherein said first
instant message includes a first set of options for handling the
call and one or more of said first set of call handling options
comprise links to said call server; if the subscriber selects one
of said first set of call handling options: receiving a
communication connection from the subscriber, wherein said
connection is initiated by the subscriber's selection of a call
handling option that comprises a link; and handling the call as
specified in said selected call handling option wherein when the
subscriber selects an option to answer the call over the instant
messaging service, the handling step comprises the step of: if the
instant messaging service is not communicatively coupled to both a
microphone and a speaker at the subscriber's side, establishing
verbal-textual communication between the caller and the subscriber
by using speech-to-text software conversion.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein said handling step further
comprises the step of: if the instant messaging service is
communicatively coupled to both a microphone and a speaker at the
subscriber's side, establishing an audio connection between the
subscriber and the caller.
14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: if the subscriber
does not respond to said first instant message within a
predetermined period of time, handling the call as specified in a
default call handling option.
15. The method of claim 12, further comprising: identifying the
user by an original called number field of the call.
16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: identifying the
caller by a caller identification field of the call; wherein said
first instant message includes an identifier of the caller.
17. The method of claim 12, wherein said links are hyperlinks to
said call server.
18. The method of claim 12, wherein said receiving a call comprises
receiving a call forwarded to said call server from a subscriber
number originally dialed by the caller.
19. The method of claim 12, further comprising retrieving user
names of the subscriber for one or more instant messaging
systems.
20. The method of claim 12, further comprising sending a second
instant message to the subscriber through an instant messaging
system different from said first instant messaging system, wherein
said second instant message comprises a second set of call handling
options.
21. The method of claim 20, further comprising: if the subscriber
selects one of said second set of call handling options: receiving
a return instant message from the subscriber, wherein said return
instant message includes an identifier of a call handling option
selected by the subscriber; and handling the call as specified in
said selected call handling option.
22. The method of claim 12, wherein said selected call handling
option comprises transferring the call and said handling the call
comprises: transferring the call from said call server to a
telephone number identified by the subscriber.
23. The method of claim 12, wherein said selected call handling
option comprises playing a message for the caller and said handling
the call comprises: playing a message identified by the subscriber
for the caller.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising converting said
identified message from text to audio prior to said playing.
25. The method of claim 23, further comprising recording said
message prior to said playing.
26. The method of claim 12, wherein said selected call handling
option comprises answering the call and said handling the call
comprises: establishing an audio connection between said call
server and the subscriber, without further action on the part of
the caller; and bridging the call onto said audio connection.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein said device is not configured
for two-way audio and said establishing an audio connection
comprises: operating one of a text-to-speech module and a
speech-to-text module.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein said establishing an audio
connection comprises establishing an audio connection between said
call server and a communication device on which the subscriber
received said first instant message.
29. The method of claim 12, wherein said selected call handling
option comprises taking a voicemail message from the caller and
said handling the call comprises: connecting the call to a voice
recording module; and recording a message from the caller.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the subscriber chooses to
screen said voicemail message, the method further comprising
establishing an audio connection between said call server and the
subscriber; and bridging said audio connection onto said voice
recording connection.
31. A computer readable storage medium storing instructions that,
when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method
of controlling a telephone call to an instant messaging user, the
method comprising the steps of: receiving at a call server a call
directed to a user; identifying an instant messaging service used
by the user; sending an instant message to the user through the
instant messaging service to offer the user one or more option for
responding to the call, wherein said options are based on a profile
of the user; if no response is received from the user within a
predetermined period of time, controlling the call as specified in
a default option; and otherwise: receiving an option selection from
the user; and controlling the call as specified in said selected
option; wherein when the user selects an option to answer the call
over the instant messaging service, the controlling step further
comprises the step of: if the instant messaging service is not
communicatively coupled to both a microphone and a speaker under
the user's control, establishing verbal-textual communication
between the caller and the user by using speed-to-text software
conversion.
32. The method of claim 31, further comprising the step of: if the
instant messaging service is communicatively coupled to both a
microphones and a speaker under the user's control, establishing an
audio connection between the user and the caller.
33. A call control system for handling calls in real-time,
comprising: a call receiver module configured to receive a call
directed to a subscriber; a database of subscriber profiles,
wherein a profile for a first subscriber includes one or more user
names of the first subscriber for one or more instant messaging
systems; an instant messaging module configured to send an initial
instant messaging message to the first subscriber in response to
receipt of a call for the first subscriber from a caller, wherein
said initial instant messaging message includes a set of options
for handling the call, said set of options including an option to
answer the call over the instant messaging service, wherein if the
instant messaging service is not communicatively coupled to a
speaker at the under the user's control, verbal-textual
communication is established between the caller and the user by
enabling speech-to-text software conversion; a voicemail module
configured to record an incoming message from the caller if the
first subscriber selects a voicemail option for handling the call;
and a message playback module configured to play an outgoing
message for the caller if the first subscriber selects a message
playback option for handling the call.
34. The call control system of claim 33, wherein one or more of
said call handling options in said initial instant messaging
message comprise hyperlinks to the call control system.
35. The call control system of claim 34, further comprising a
network server configured to receive a communication connection
from the first subscriber initiated by the first subscriber's
selection of one of said hyperlink call handling options.
36. The call control system of claim 33, wherein said instant
messaging module is further configured to receive a return instant
messaging message from the first subscriber, wherein said return
instant messaging message includes a selection of one of said call
handling options.
37. The call control system of claim 33, further comprising an
audio module configure to establish an audio connection with the
first subscriber if the first subscriber selects a call handling
option for answering the call.
38. The call control system of claim 37, wherein said audio module
is further configured to establish an audio connection with the
first subscriber if the first subscriber selects a voicemail with
screening option for handling the call.
39. The call control system of claim 33, wherein said message
playback module comprises a text-to-speech converter.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 09/815,819, filed Mar. 23, 2001, the entirety
of which is incorporated herein by this reference thereto.
BACKGROUND
[0002] This invention relates to the fields of computer and
communications. More particularly, a system and methods are
provided for handling a telephone call in real-time.
[0003] When a telephone user or subscriber is not present when a
call is received, there are generally few options for handling the
call. The caller may be prompted to leave a voicemail message, the
user's telephone line may be set to forward the call to another
number, or the caller may simply hang up. Although the caller will
likely be able to contact the user eventually, at the same or a
different number, this will require additional calls or other
action on the caller's part. It would be advantageous to enable
timely contact with the user (i.e., the called party) in order to
inform him or her of the call and allow the user to decide how to
handle the call--whether to answer it, forward or transfer it to
another number, take a voicemail message, respond with a single
message, etc.
[0004] In one solution to the need for real-time call control, a
presence server is configured to track the location of, or means of
contacting, a user. The user employs a computer that communicates
with the presence server and provides its location (e.g., network
address). However, in this solution the user's computer must be
configured with custom or specialized software for interfacing with
the user and presence server and enabling call control. Thus, the
specialized software must be installed on each of the user's
computers and must be upgraded in order to provide different or
additional functionality. And, the software only enables the user's
computer to perform call control operations through the presence
server.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment of the invention a system and methods are
provided for enabling real-time call control without the use of
specialized software. Existing communication methods are used to
enable the real-time control, such as any of several varieties of
instant messaging.
[0006] In this embodiment, a call is received at a call server for
a subscriber. The subscriber and/or caller are identified (e.g., by
the original called number and caller ID fields) and a subscriber
profile is consulted to determine what call handling options to
offer the subscriber and how to offer them. Thus, the system may
retrieve the subscriber's user names for one or more instant
messaging systems and send one or more instant messages to notify
the subscriber of the call and offer any number of call handling
options. Illustrative call handling options include answering the
call, taking a voicemail message (with or without screening the
message), transferring or forwarding the call, playing a message
for the caller, etc. If the subscriber does not respond in a
predetermined period of time the call server may apply a default
option.
[0007] If an instant messaging system that is used is
hypertext-capable, the options may be presented as hyperlinks. In
this case the subscriber selects a hyperlink option, is connected
to the call server and may provide any additional information that
is needed (e.g., a forward to number, a message to play for the
caller). Alternatively, the subscriber may respond with an instant
message identifying his or her selected call handling option.
[0008] Upon receipt of the selected option, the call server takes
the necessary action to handle the call: establish an audio
connection with the user (e.g., through the instant messaging
system, via voice over IP), connecting the caller to a voicemail
module, transfer the call to another number, retrieve a message and
play it for the caller, etc. Text/speech conversion may be
performed as necessary, to convert a textual message specified by
the subscriber into audio form for the caller, if the subscriber's
computer/communication device is not equipped with both a
microphone and speaker, etc.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a real-time call control
system in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 depicts an illustrative instant message for notifying
a subscriber of the receipt of a call, in accordance with an
embodiment of the invention.
[0011] FIGS. 3A-B comprise a flowchart illustrating one method of
providing real-time call control in accordance with an embodiment
of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] The following description is presented to enable any person
skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided
in the context of particular applications of the invention and
their requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed
embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art
and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other
embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not
intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be
accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and
features disclosed herein.
[0013] The program environment in which a present embodiment of the
invention is executed illustratively incorporates a general-purpose
computer or a special purpose device such as a hand-held computer.
Details of such devices (e.g., processor, memory, data storage,
display) are well known and are omitted for the sake of
clarity.
[0014] It should also be understood that the techniques of the
present invention might be implemented using a variety of
technologies. For example, the methods described herein may be
implemented in software executing on a computer system, or
implemented in hardware utilizing either a combination of
microprocessors or other specially designed application specific
integrated circuits, programmable logic devices, or various
combinations thereof. In particular, the methods described herein
may be implemented by a series of computer-executable instructions
residing on a storage medium such as a carrier wave, disk drive, or
computer-readable medium. Exemplary forms of carrier waves may take
the form of electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals
conveying digital data streams along a local network or a publicly
accessible network such as the Internet.
[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, a system and methods are
provided for enabling real-time control of a telephone call. In
this embodiment, a call made to a subscriber's telephone (e.g.,
home, work or mobile telephone) is forwarded to a call control
server when there is no answer. In another embodiment, the
subscriber's telephone service may be configured to forward all or
a subset of all calls to the call control server (e.g., all calls
from a specified number or area code).
[0016] The call control server is configured with one or more types
of instant messaging systems or services, such as those provided by
AOL (America OnLine), Microsoft, Yahoo, or some other provider.
When the call is received at the call control server and the server
identifies the called subscriber (e.g., by OCN--Original Called
Number), the call control server sends an instant messaging message
to the subscriber's device (e.g., computer, two-way pager, smart
telephone), which provides the subscriber with a number of options
for handling the call. The options may depend upon the type of
device the user is operating and/or the type of instant messaging
with which the user and the call control server communicate, and
may include any of the following as well as others: answer the
call, forward or transfer the call to another number, take a
message, respond to the caller with a message (which may be
pre-configured or configured when the user is notified of the
call), etc. Default methods may be specified for handling calls
when a subscriber is not available or does not respond.
[0017] When the subscriber selects a method of handling the call, a
response is sent to the call control server and the selected method
is executed. In different embodiments of the invention, the
response may be sent to the call control server via a return
instant messaging message and/or directly to the server via a
network (e.g., Internet) or other communication connection. In
particular, if the subscriber uses an instant messaging system that
supports hyperlinks, one or more of the options provided to the
subscriber via instant messaging may comprise hyperlinks that
initiate http (HyperText Transfer Protocol) connections to the call
control server, and the subscriber may choose to respond via one of
the hyperlinks and/or via a return instant message.
[0018] If the subscriber chooses to answer the call and the
subscriber's device is equipped for audio (e.g., with a microphone
and/or speaker), the call may be converted at the call control
server into a VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) connection.
Text-to-speech and/or speech-to-text software may be employed if
the subscriber's device does not have both a microphone and
speaker. In this embodiment, if the subscriber chooses to respond
to the call with a message, the message may be selected from a
number of pre-recorded messages or may be recorded at the time of
the call in the subscriber's voice and then played for the caller.
Alternatively, a textual message selected or composed by the
subscriber may be converted to audio and played for the caller.
[0019] In another embodiment of the invention, in which the call
control server and the subscriber's device communicate only via
instant messaging (e.g., an instant messaging system that does not
support hypertext), answering the call may not be an option. Or,
text/speech conversion software may be used to allow the caller and
subscriber to communicate.
[0020] In a present embodiment of the invention, the call control
server may be configured to keep track of how to contact the
subscriber by storing his or her usernames, screen names or other
identifiers for the instant messaging service(s) he or she uses.
Thus, the call control server may then send instant messages (e.g.,
one message for each type of instant messaging for which the
subscriber's device is configured) to the subscriber when a call is
received. If the subscriber does not respond, the system may assume
that he or she is not online and therefore implement a default call
control option.
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative embodiment of a real-time
call control system according to one embodiment of the invention.
In the illustrated embodiment, caller 110 calls a subscriber from
any type of telephonically equipped device. The call is initially
received at called number 120, which may be the subscriber's house,
office, mobile telephone, etc.
[0022] Because the subscriber is not present at the time of the
call, his or her telephone line is busy, or because of the
configuration of the telephone service for the called number (e.g.,
automatic forwarding), the call is forwarded to call control server
130. Illustratively, call control server 130 may be just one of
multiple call control servers configured to enable real-time call
control. Calls may be distributed among multiple call control
servers for load balancing purposes, to apply different levels of
service for different subscribers, etc. For example, depending on
the level of service requested by a particular subscriber, he or
she may be offered different subsets of the available call control
options, additional storage space for storing voicemail messages,
the ability to record audio messages to be played for callers,
etc.
[0023] At call control server 130, the system identifies the
subscriber that is being called, which may be accomplished by
looking up the OCN (Original Called Number), which is received with
the forwarded call, in a database of subscribers. The database may
also identify the options that may be provided to the subscriber, a
default option to be applied if he cannot be contacted, the type or
version of instant messaging to be used to contact him, the
subscriber's username, screen name or other instant messaging user
identifier, etc. Further, call control server 130 may also identify
the caller (e.g., via caller ID). The call control server may, for
example, look up the caller's telephone number in a telephone
directory, a reverse-lookup directory service (e.g., such as that
offered at http://www.infospace.com), or some other data collection
(e.g., the called subscriber's address book). Depending on whether
the caller's name or other identifier (besides the caller ID
number) can be found, the caller may be identified to the
subscriber (in the initial instant message) with any suitable
identifying information.
[0024] Call control server 130 then initiates an instant message to
the subscriber via network 140 or other communication connection.
Network 140 may comprise the Internet or some other public or
private network coupled to the call control server and the
subscriber's device 150 (e.g., computer 150a, hand-held
computer/communication device 150b). Illustratively, the initial
instant message informs the subscriber that a call has been
received for him, indicates who the call is from (e.g., by number
and/or name), and offers any number of options for handling the
call. Call control server 130 may initiate more than one message
(sequentially or in parallel) if, for example, the subscriber uses
more than one type of instant messaging, more than one instant
messaging user identifier, more than one device (i.e., having more
than one network address), etc. If the subscriber cannot be
contacted within a pre-determined period of time (e.g., the instant
messages are rejected, the subscriber does not respond), the call
control server may abort the call control process and apply a
default call control option (e.g., take a voicemail message).
[0025] Depending on the type or version of instant messaging used,
the initial message may present different call control options
(i.e., those that are compatible with the instant messaging system
being used), and the options may take the form of hyperlinks that
can be selected by clicking on the desired option. If the instant
messaging system that is employed for the initial message does not
support hypertext, then the initial message may prompt the
subscriber to respond to the initial message with a number or
letter corresponding to the desired option. In this case the
response may be sent back to call control server 130 via a return
instant message. In either case, however, the response that is
initiated by the subscriber is configured to identify the
responding subscriber (e.g., by instant messaging username, network
address, an identifier of the initial message sent to the
subscriber, an identifier of the channel on which the call is
received) and the selected call control option.
[0026] When using a hypertext-capable instant messaging system,
selecting the desired call control option will initiate a
connection between subscriber device 150 and call control server
130. This may involve opening or directing a web browser or other
suitable interface to the call control server. A selected hyperlink
may include key/value pairs to send information (e.g., subscriber
identity, selected option, identifier of call) to the server. The
call control server may include a web server for receiving http
connections from subscribers or may be coupled to a web server that
receives the subscribers' connections. Call control server 130 may
also include an IVR (Interactive Voice Response device), a
text/speech converter, and/or any other equipment useful in
handling a call as described herein.
[0027] In one embodiment of the invention, if the process of
contacting the subscriber, receiving a call control option and
implementing the option takes more than a threshold amount of time
(e.g., thirty seconds), or if the process is expected to take a
threshold amount of time, a recording or other message may be
played for the caller to let him or her know that the subscriber is
being located, is being informed of the call, etc.
[0028] As described above, the manner in which the subscriber's
selected call control option is identified and acted on may depend
upon whether the instant messaging system used to contact the
subscriber is hypertext-capable. If the instant messaging system is
hypertext-capable, then an HTTP connection to the call control
server (or web server) may be opened for the subscriber, thereby
allowing further information/control to be provided through a web
or network interface (e.g., select or record in real-time a message
to play for the caller, communicate with the caller via a
text-to-speech interface, specify in real-time a number to forward
the call to). When the subscriber responds from a device (e.g., a
mobile telephone) or through an instant messaging system that does
not offer hyperlinks, available call control options may be limited
to those that require only minimal subscriber input (e.g., take a
voicemail message, play a pre-configured message, transfer the call
to a specified number).
[0029] FIG. 2 illustrates one possible instant message interface
that may be used to notify a subscriber of a telephone call and
elicit a call control option.
[0030] If the subscriber selects an option to forward or transfer
the call (e.g., the "TRANSFER" option in FIG. 2), call control
server 130 switches the call to the specified number (which may be
pre-selected or specified by the subscriber when selecting the
option). The initial instant message may include multiple transfer
options (e.g., one for each forward-to telephone number known to
the system).
[0031] If the subscriber selects an option to record a message from
the caller (e.g., the "VOICEMAIL" option in FIG. 2), call control
server 130 connects the caller to a voicemail system, which may be
part of the call control server or may be coupled to it. In one
alternative embodiment of the invention, the recorded message may
be forwarded to the subscriber (e.g., as an audio file or as a
converted speech-to-text message).
[0032] If the subscriber chooses an option to play a message or
response for the caller (e.g., the "voice response" options in FIG.
2), the selected message may have been pre-recorded or may be
recorded or entered textually by the subscriber when notified of
the call. Call control server 130 may thus include an IVR
(Interactive Voice Response device). If the instant messaging
system is not hypertext-capable, the subscriber may be limited to
identifying a pre-configured message, which may or may not be
recorded in the subscriber's voice. The initial instant message may
thus identify a number of pre-configured messages, from which the
subscriber selects an appropriate choice. If the instant messaging
system is hypertext-capable, then the user may be able to record a
message in real-time. Further, the subscriber may be provided with
a relatively short message from the caller (e.g., a subject of the
call) before the subscriber selects or records a response. In
different embodiments of the invention, a real-time response from
the subscriber may be stored in audio or text. If text, it may then
be converted to audio and played for the caller.
[0033] As described above, in one embodiment of the invention the
subscriber may choose to accept the call from the caller (e.g., the
"TALK NOW" option in FIG. 2). Illustratively, if the instant
messaging system offers VoIP service, the call control system may
bridge the caller into a VoIP instant messaging connection at the
call control server. Otherwise, the call control server is
configured to establish a VoIP connection to the subscriber's
device and bridge the caller into this connection. Yet further, if
subscriber device 150 is not equipped with a microphone or speaker,
the call control server and/or the subscriber's device may be
configured to employ text/speech conversion to allow the caller and
subscriber to communicate.
[0034] In an embodiment of the invention in which subscriber device
150 is equipped with a speaker but no microphone, the subscriber
may have an option to send a custom (e.g., real-time) message to
the caller. The subscriber thus enters the text of his message,
which is relayed to the call control server. The call control
server then converts the message to audio and plays it for the
caller. In one implementation of this embodiment, a VOIP connection
is established between the call control server and the subscriber
device (e.g., so that the caller's voice can be heard at the
device) and, when the converted text-to-speech message is played
for the caller (e.g., by playing it over the VOIP connection), the
subscriber may also hear it.
[0035] In another embodiment of the invention, a subscriber may be
offered the option of screening a call (e.g., while the caller
leaves a voicemail message). If this option is selected, the caller
is connected to a voicemail module or system (e.g., an IVR) and a
VOIP connection is established between the call control server (or
IVR) and the subscriber's device. As the caller records his or her
message, the message is also played on the device for the
subscriber to hear. If the device is not equipped with a speaker,
speech-to-text conversion may be applied to provide the message to
the subscriber. The subscriber may or may not be provided with the
opportunity to break into the call while the caller's message is
being recorded
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a method of providing real-time call
control according to one embodiment of the invention. In this
embodiment, the instant messaging system used to notify a
subscriber of an incoming call is hypertext-enabled, which may
allow the subscriber to be provided with more call control options
than may be offered via a non-hypertext-enabled instant messaging
system.
[0037] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a call to a subscriber is
received at a call control server in state 300. The call may have
been forwarded to the call control server from a residential,
office, mobile or other telephone of the subscriber. Or, the caller
may have dialed another number that is associated with the
subscriber but which is answered by the call control server. For
example, a subscriber may subscribe to a call control service that
allows callers to dial a central number that the call control
server answers for the subscriber.
[0038] In state 302, the call control server identifies the
subscriber. Illustratively, this may be done by examining the OCN
(Original Called Number) received with the call.
[0039] In state 304 the server retrieves necessary data concerning
the subscriber and/or caller. This information may identify the
type(s) and/or version(s) of instant messaging used by the
subscriber, screen names or user names for the subscriber, network
or other addresses associated with the subscriber's computer or
communication device, the caller's name, etc. The subscriber's
device may be configured such that, when the device is online, it
connects to notifies the call control server of its address.
[0040] In state 306 the call control server sends an initial
instant message (e.g., a message sent through a selected instant
messaging system) to the subscriber's device. The initial instant
message includes any number of options for controlling or handling
the call. In this embodiment, the instant messaging service used to
deliver the message is hypertext-capable, and so the options are
presented as hyperlinks. More than one initial instant message may
be sent (e.g., to different subscriber devices, different
user/screen names, through different instant messaging
systems).
[0041] In state 308 the system determines whether a response (e.g.,
an option selection) is received within a threshold period of time.
If not, the system applies a default control option in state 310
and then exits. Otherwise, if an option selection is received, the
call control server (and/or a web server) that receives the
selection, or another system module, will take the necessary action
to handle the call as directed.
[0042] In state 312, if the selected option is to talk with the
caller, the call control server establishes an audio (e.g., voice
over IP) connection with the subscriber's device and interconnects
the caller in state 314. If the subscriber's device is not capable
of two-way audio, text/speech conversion software may be executed
as necessary. After state 314, the illustrated method ends. If the
selected option was to do something other than answer the call, the
method proceeds to state 316.
[0043] In state 316, the system determines whether the subscriber
has requested the server to transfer the call. If not, the
illustrated procedure advances to state 320. If the transfer option
was selected, the system transfers the call to a pre-specified
number or a number identified in the subscriber's response, and
then exits.
[0044] In state 320, the system determines whether the selected
option is to pass a message to the caller. If not, the illustrated
method continues to state 326. Otherwise, in state 322 a message
may be recorded by the subscriber, converted from text to speech,
retrieved from storage, etc. The message is then played for the
caller in state 324, after which the illustrated procedure
ends.
[0045] In state 326, the system determines whether the selected
option is to take a voicemail message. If not, the procedure may
exit if an unknown option was selected or may take other action as
necessary to satisfy another selection not addressed here.
[0046] In state 328, the system determines whether the subscriber
wishes to screen the voicemail message as it is recorded. If not,
the illustrated procedure advances to state 332. Otherwise, in
state 330 the call control system establishes an audio (e.g., voice
over IP) connection with the subscriber's device and interconnects
the caller and the necessary voicemail module. In state 332, the
voicemail module records the caller's message and, if call
screening was selected, the message is simultaneously passed to the
subscriber's device and played for the subscriber. If the
subscriber is screening the voicemail message and chooses to pick
up the call, in optional state 334 audio input from the subscriber
is enabled and the voicemail module may stop recording. After state
334 the illustrated procedure ends.
[0047] The foregoing descriptions of embodiments of the invention
have been presented for purposes of illustration and description
only. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the
invention to the forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations
will be apparent to practitioners skilled in the art. Accordingly,
the above disclosure is not intended to limit the invention; the
scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *
References