U.S. patent application number 12/847329 was filed with the patent office on 2010-11-25 for methods and systems for providing a communication manager for wireless wireline converged telecommunication services related application.
This patent application is currently assigned to AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I, L.P.. Invention is credited to Gregory M. Crisp, Douglas R. O'Neil.
Application Number | 20100299408 12/847329 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36972331 |
Filed Date | 2010-11-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100299408 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
O'Neil; Douglas R. ; et
al. |
November 25, 2010 |
METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING A COMMUNICATION MANAGER FOR
WIRELESS WIRELINE CONVERGED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES RELATED
APPLICATION
Abstract
Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a communication
manager. The disclosed systems and methods may include receiving a
request for a communication service. Furthermore, the disclosed
systems and methods may include determining, from a plurality of
servers based on the request, a first server capable of servicing
the request and transmitting the request to the first server.
Inventors: |
O'Neil; Douglas R.;
(Marietta, GA) ; Crisp; Gregory M.; (Marietta,
GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
AT&T Legal Department - T&W;Attn: Patent Docketing
Room 2A-207, One AT&T Way
Bedminster
NJ
07921
US
|
Assignee: |
AT&T INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY I,
L.P.
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
36972331 |
Appl. No.: |
12/847329 |
Filed: |
July 30, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11178942 |
Jul 11, 2005 |
7793305 |
|
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12847329 |
|
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60661363 |
Mar 14, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/219 ;
715/739 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 67/16 20130101;
H04L 65/1063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/219 ;
715/739 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/01 20060101
G06F003/01; G06F 15/16 20060101 G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method for managing telecommunication services, the method
comprising: employing at least one processor to execute computer
executable instructions stored in memory to perform acts
comprising: providing a user interface to a first end use device
for management of a plurality of converged wireless and wireline
telecommunication services, wherein the user interface is same or
substantially the same as at least one other user interface
provided to at least one other end use device, wherein the first
end use device employs a first subset of interface form factors,
and the at least one other end use device employs at least one
other subset of interface form factors that is different from the
first subset; and selecting, from a plurality of servers, at least
a first server capable of servicing a request for a
telecommunication service to be provided to the first end use
device via the user interface, based at least in part on type of
the telecommunication service requested.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the providing the
user interface or the selecting, from the plurality of servers, the
at least the first server is performed on the first end use
device.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the providing the
user interface or the selecting, from a plurality of servers, the
at least the first server is performed on a communication
management server remote from the first end use device.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, via the
user interface, a permission code, which facilitates allowing one
or more other end use devices and one or more associated other
users to obtain information associated with the first end use
device, comprising information relating to presence of the first
end use device on a communication network or physical location of
the first end use device; and setting the permission code.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: identifying the
telecommunication service as relating to location of end use
devices; selecting, from a plurality of servers, the at least a
first server that is a location application server; and
transmitting the request to the location application server to
facilitate presenting, via the user interface, information relating
to presence of a specified end use device on a communication
network or physical location of the specified end use device.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: receiving a
confirmation that the request has been received by the at least the
first server; and transmitting the confirmation to the first end
use device.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the request for the
telecommunication service further comprises at least one of a
messaging request, a call log request, an advanced call routing
features request, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) request, a
location request, a ring tone request, a video tone request, a
personal information request, or a presence information
request.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting, from the plurality
of servers, the at least the first server further comprises
selecting, from the plurality of servers, at least two of a
messaging application server, a call log application server, an
advanced call routing feature application server, a Voice over
Internet Protocol (VoIP) application server, a location application
server, a ring tone application server, a video tone application
server, or a personal information server.
9. A system that facilitates management of communication services,
the system comprising: a memory storage that is configured to store
and maintain a database; and at least one processing unit coupled
to the memory storage, wherein the at least one processing unit is
configured to: present a user interface to a first end use device
for management of a plurality of converged wireless and wireline
telecommunication services, wherein the user interface is same or
substantially the same as at least one other user interface
provided to at least one other end use device, wherein the first
end use device employs a first subset of interface form factors,
and the at least one other end use device employs at least one
other subset of interface form factors that is different from the
first subset; and identify, from a plurality of servers, at least a
first server capable of servicing a request for a telecommunication
service to be provided to the first end use device via the user
interface, based at least in part on type of the telecommunication
service requested.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the memory
storage or the at least one processing unit are located on the
first end use device.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the memory
storage or the at least one processing unit are located on a
communication management server remote from the first end use
device.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the memory
storage or the at least one processing unit is further configured
to present the user interface to the first end use device to
facilitate integration, via the user interface, of two or more
applications relating to two or more of the plurality of converged
wireless and wireline telecommunication services in an address book
associated with the first end use device.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one processing unit
further being configured to: present a presence icon in the user
interface; receive a location request relating to identification of
location of a specified end use device in response to an
interaction associated with the presence icon in the user
interface; and engage a session with a location application server
to facilitate the identification of the location of the specified
end use device to facilitate providing a physical location of the
specified end use device to the first end use device via the user
interface.
14. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one processing unit
is further configured to receive at least one of a messaging
request, a call log request, an advanced call routing features
request, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) request, a location
request, a ring tone request, a video tone request, a personal
information request, or a presence information request.
15. The system of claim 9, wherein the at least one processing unit
is further configured to identify, from the plurality of servers,
at least two of a messaging application server, a call log
application server, an advanced call routing feature application
server, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) application server, a
location application server, a ring tone application server, a
video tone application server, or a personal information
server.
16. A computer program product, comprising: a computer-readable
medium comprising code for: providing a user interface to a first
end use device for management of a plurality of converged wireless
and wireline telecommunication services, wherein the user interface
is same or substantially the same as at least one other user
interface provided to at least one other end use device, wherein
the first end use device employs a first subset of interface form
factors, and the at least one other end use device employs at least
one other subset of interface form factors that is different from
the first subset; and identifying, from a plurality of servers, at
least a first server capable of servicing a request for a
telecommunication service to be provided to the first end use
device via the user interface, based at least in part on type of
the telecommunication service requested.
17. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein at least one
of providing the user interface or identifying, from a plurality of
servers, at least a first server are performed on an end use
device.
18. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein at least one
of providing the user interface or identifying, from a plurality of
servers, at least a first server are performed on a communication
management server remote from an end use device.
19. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein request
comprising at least one of a messaging request, a call log request,
an advanced call routing features request, a Voice over Internet
Protocol (VoIP) request, a location request, a ring tone request, a
video tone request, a personal information request, or a presence
request.
20. The computer program product of claim 16, wherein identifying,
from the plurality of servers, further comprises identifying, from
a plurality of servers, at least two of a messaging application
server, a call log application server, an advanced call routing
feature application server, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)
application server, a location application server, a ring tone
application service, a video tone application server, or a personal
information server.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS AND CLAIM FOR PRIORITY
[0001] Under provisions of 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119(e), this application
is a continuation of, and claims the benefit of, U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/178,942, filed Jul. 11, 2005, and titled
"METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING A COMMUNICATION MANAGER FOR
WIRELESS WIRELINE CONVERGED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES RELATED
APPLICATION", and further claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 60/661,363, entitled "COMMUNICATION MANAGER
FOR WIRELESS WIRELINE CONVERGED TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES," filed
Mar. 14, 2005, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] I. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention generally relates to methods and
systems for providing a communication manager. More particularly,
the present invention relates to providing a communication manager,
for example, for wireless wireline converged telecommunication
services.
[0004] II. Background Information
[0005] In traditional time-division-multiplexing (TOM)
telecommunications networks, typically devices are simple, such as
a plain old telephone system (POTS) telephone with dual-tone
multi-frequency (DTMF) or a cellular telephone with a keypad and
small screen. Control of telecommunication communication service by
a POTS phone with DTMF may be cumbersome and may require an end
user, for example, to know a special code to enable a feature and
another special code to disable the feature. Cellular telephone
devices may provide a slight improvement in capabilities over POTS
by adding visual menus with "point and click" ability to
enable/disable features. These capabilities, however, are typically
"hard coded" into the cellular telephone devices.
[0006] Recently, voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) services have
been more widely adopted. These services may allow a user to make
and receive voice telephone calls and may include advance call
features. Examples of the advanced call features may include
simultaneous ring, sequential ring, call forwarding, call waiting,
call hold, and call conferencing. A user may use a personal
computer (PC) client or a web page to enable, disable, or control
the advance call features. However, the marketplace is demanding
converged telecommunication services, that typically require a
network architecture. This network architecture may be based on
internet protocol and may use multiple application servers
interacting with each other to provide the converged service for an
end user.
[0007] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for methods and
systems for providing a communication management tool to manage
more advanced and more sophisticated communication services and
communication applications associated with converged
telecommunication services. Also there is a need for a simple user
interface that simplifies the end user's ability to manage the
converged telecommunications services. There is a need for this
user interface at least because the converged telecommunications
services can be confusing for the end-user unless there is a user
interface that simplifies the end user's ability to manage the
converged telecommunications services.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Consistent with embodiments of the present invention,
systems and methods are disclosed for providing a communication
manager.
[0009] In accordance with one embodiment, a method for providing a
communication manager comprising receiving a request for a
communication service, determining, from a plurality of servers
based on the request, a first server capable of servicing the
request, and transmitting the request to the first server.
[0010] According to another embodiment, a system for providing a
communication manager comprising a memory storage for maintaining a
database and a processing unit coupled to the memory storage,
wherein the processing unit is operative to receive a request for a
communication service, determine, from a plurality of servers based
on the request, a first server capable of servicing the request,
and transmit the request to the first server.
[0011] In accordance with yet another embodiment, a
computer-readable medium which stores a set of instructions which
when executed performs a method for providing a communication
manager, the method executed by the set of instructions comprising
receiving a request for a communication service, determining, from
a plurality of servers based on the request, a first server capable
of servicing the request, and transmitting the request to the first
server.
[0012] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory only, and should not be considered restrictive of
the scope of the invention, as described and claimed. Further,
features and/or variations may be provided in addition to those set
forth herein. For example, embodiments of the invention may be
directed to various combinations and sub-combinations of the
features described in the detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various
embodiments and aspects of the present invention. In the
drawings:
[0014] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B is a block diagram of an exemplary
communication management system consistent with an embodiment of
the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication management
server consistent with an embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0016] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary method for providing
a communication manager consistent with an embodiment of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The following detailed description refers to the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers are used in the drawings and the following description to
refer to the same or similar parts. While several exemplary
embodiments and features of the invention are described herein,
modifications, adaptations and other implementations are possible,
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For
example, substitutions, additions or modifications may be made to
the components illustrated in the drawings, and the exemplary
methods described herein may be modified by substituting,
reordering or adding steps to the disclosed methods. Accordingly,
the following detailed description does not limit the invention.
Instead, the proper scope of the invention is defined by the
appended claims.
[0018] Systems and methods consistent with embodiments of the
present invention provide a communication manager for wireless
wireline converged telecommunication services. For example,
embodiments of the present invention includes a communication
services management tool that provides a user interface to manage
and control converged telecommunications services. This user
interface allows a user to manage and control a portfolio of
wireless and wireline converged voice and data telecommunications
services. The controlled telecommunications services may comprise
converged services, for example, services available from wireless
devices or wired devices and from multiple device types. Converged
communication services allow the user to have the same experience
regardless of how the user accesses the telecommunications
services.
[0019] The user interface for the communication manager may be
available to the user from a variety of devices (wireless or wired)
that may have different form factors. The user's experience,
however, may be similar regardless of the device used to access the
user interface. Furthermore, the user interface may be implemented,
for example, using a network or using a client on a personal
computer, PDA, wireless phone, or any other computing device that
may have communications capabilities.
[0020] An embodiment consistent with the invention comprises a
system for providing a communication manager. The system comprises
a memory storage for maintaining a database and a processing unit
coupled to the memory storage. The processing unit is operative to
receive a request for a communication service. Furthermore, the
processing unit may be operative to determine, from a plurality of
servers based on the request, a first server capable of servicing
the request and transmit the request to the first server.
[0021] Consistent with an embodiment of the present invention, the
aforementioned memory, processing unit, and other components may be
implemented in a communication management system, such as an
exemplary communication management system 100 of FIG. 1A and FIG.
1B. Any suitable combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware
may be used to implement the memory, processing unit, or other
components. By way of example, the memory, processing unit, or
other components may be implemented with any of a communication
management (CM) server 105 or an end use device 114, in combination
with system 100. The aforementioned system 10, server 105, and
device 114 are exemplary and other systems, servers, and devices
may comprise the aforementioned memory, processing unit, or other
components, consistent with embodiments of the present
invention.
[0022] By way of a non-limiting example, FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B
illustrate system 100 in which the features and principles of the
present invention may be implemented. As illustrated in the block
diagram of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, system 100 includes CM server 105,
end point 110, an internet protocol multi-media subsystem (IMS)
115, a plurality of servers 125, a network 145, a publicly switched
telephone network (PSTN) media gateway control function/media
gateway (MGCF/MGW) 150, a cellular network MGCF/MGW 155, a PSTN
160, a cellular telephone network 165, and a user 170. End point
110 comprises a broadband gateway (SSG) 112 and end use device 114.
IMS 115 may comprise a home subscriber server (HSS) 117, a proxy
call session control function (P-CSCF) 119, a serving call session
control function (S-CSCF) 121, and an interrogating call session
control function (I-CSCF) 123. Plurality of servers 125 comprise: a
messaging application server 127; a call log application server
129; an advanced call routing feature application server 131; a
VoIP application server 133; a location application server 135; a
ring tone/video tone application server 137; and a personal
information server 139. The aforementioned are exemplary and
plurality of servers 125 may include other servers. User 170 may be
an individual, for example, desiring to establish communication
management. User 170 may also be an organization, enterprise, or
any other entity having such desires.
[0023] Regarding end point 110, SSG 112 may comprise a wireless
local area network interface (e.g., WLAN, IEEE 802.11), a bluetooth
interface, another RF communication interface, and/or an optical
interface. SSG 112 may provide a wireline or a wireless connection
between end use device 114 and network 145. SSG 112 may connect to
network 145, for example, through a digital subscriber line (DSL)
or via a coaxial cable. The aforementioned are exemplary, and SSG
112 may connect to network 145 via other ways.
[0024] End use device 114 may comprise, any device capable of
communicating with CM server 105 (via a browser, for example.)
Furthermore, end use device 114 may comprise, any device capable of
executing a software module to perform communications management
consistent with embodiments of the invention. For example, end use
device 114 may comprise a personal computer, a cellular telephone,
a cordless telephone, a session initiated protocol (SIP) telephone,
and a cordless (SIP) telephone. Moreover, end use device 114 may
comprise a dual mode handset capable of connecting to network 145
via either BBG 112 or cellular network 165. The aforementioned are
exemplary and end use device may comprise other elements and
devices.
[0025] PSTN MGCF/MGW 150 and cellular network MGCF/MGW 155
respectively provide interfaces between network 145 and PSTN 160
and cellular telephone network 165. PSTN MGCF/MGW 150 and cellular
network MGCF/MGW 155 may be configured to receive a call from a
circuit switched network (PSTN 160 or cellular telephone network
165 respectively) and translate the respective protocol to a
protocol supported by network 145.
[0026] Regarding IMS 115, HSS 117 may keep the profile of user
170's service, may keep "filter criteria", and may identify
"filters" that may be engaged in a call to assist in call
processing and provide services during the call. The "filter
criteria" may define the different application servers (e.g.,
anyone or more of plurality of servers 125) that may be engaged in
the call session to provide applications and services. The services
such as call routing, mobility management, location, video calling,
ring tone applications, ringback tone applications, video tones,
and call logs, for example, may operate on application servers and
can be identified within the "initial filter criteria".
[0027] I-CSCF 123 may comprise a call entry point to IMS 115 from
another network (such as a PSTN 160 or cellular telephone network
165.) S-CSCF 121 may control the call session for end use device
114. When end use device 114 registers to IMS 115, S-CSCF 121 may
interrogate HSS 117 and may extract user 170's services, the
"initial filter criteria", and the addresses of the "filters"
associated with user 170's services. For example, S-CSCF 121 may:
i) set-up the call session with end use device 114; ii) engage the
various (application) servers 125 during the call set-up; iii)
establish the call session with the answering device (or apply
secondary call treatment, if required); and iv) end the call
session upon a call termination message receipt. PCSCF 119 may
comprise an entry point for an IMS device into network 145.
Generally, P-CSCF 119 may comprise the first/last IMS network
element that may communicate with an end point IMS device, for
example, end use device 114.
[0028] FIG. 2 shows CM server 105 of FIG. 1A and FIG. 1 B in more
detail. As shown in FIG. 2, CM server 105 includes a processing
unit 225 and a memory 230. Memory 230 includes a CM software module
235 and a CM database 240. While executing on processing unit 225,
CM software module 235 performs processes for communication
management, including, for example, one or more of the stages of
method 300 described below with respect to FIG. 3. Furthermore, any
combination of software module 235 and database 240 may be executed
on or reside in anyone or more of plurality of servers 125 or end
use device 114.
[0029] CM server 105, anyone of the plurality of servers 125, or
end use device 114 ("the servers") included in system 100 may be
implemented using a personal computer, network computer, mainframe,
or other similar microcomputer-based workstation. The servers may
though comprise any type of computer operating environment, such as
hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor based or
programmable sender electronic devices, minicomputers, mainframe
computers, and the like. The servers may also be practiced in
distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by
remote processing devices. Furthermore, any of the servers may
comprise a mobile terminal, such as a smart phone, a cellular
telephone, a cellular telephone utilizing wireless application
protocol (WAP), personal digital assistant (PDA), intelligent
pager, portable computer, a hand held computer, a conventional
telephone, or a facsimile machine. The aforementioned systems and
devices are exemplary and the server may comprise other systems or
devices.
[0030] Network 145 may comprise, for example, a local area network
(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). Such networking environments
are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks,
intranets, and the Internet. When a LAN is used as network 145, a
network interface located at any of the servers may be used to
interconnect any of the servers. When network 145 is implemented in
a WAN networking environment, such as the Internet, the servers may
typically include an internal or external modem (not shown) or
other means for establishing communications over the WAN. Further,
in utilizing network 145, data sent over network 145 may be
encrypted to insure data security by using known
encryption/decryption techniques.
[0031] In addition to utilizing a wire line communications system
as network 145, a wireless communications system, or a combination
of wire line and wireless may be utilized as network 145 in order
to, for example, exchange web pages via the internet, exchange
e-mails via the internet, or for utilizing other communications
channels. Wireless can be defined as radio transmission via the
airwaves. However, it may be appreciated that various other
communication techniques can be used to provide wireless
transmission, including infrared line of sight, cellular,
microwave, satellite, packet radio, and spread spectrum radio. The
servers in the wireless environment can be any mobile terminal,
such as the mobile terminals described above. Wireless data may
include, but is not limited to, paging, text messaging, e-mail,
internet access and other specialized data applications
specifically excluding or including voice transmission. For
example, the servers may communicate across a wireless interface
such as, for example, a cellular interface (e.g., general packet
radio system (GPRS), enhanced data rates for global evolution
(EDGE), global system for mobile communications (GSM)), a wireless
local area network interface (e.g., WLAN, IEEE 802.11), a bluetooth
interface, another RF communication interface, and/or an optical
interface.
[0032] System 100 may also transmit data by methods and processes
other than, or in combination with, network 145. These methods and
processes may include, but are not limited to, transferring data
via, diskette, flash memory sticks, CD ROM, facsimile, conventional
mail, an interactive voice response system (IVR), or via voice over
a publicly switched telephone network.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a flow chart setting forth the general stages
involved in an exemplary method 300 consistent with the invention
for providing a communication manager using system 100 of FIG. 1A
and FIG. 1B. Exemplary ways to implement the stages of exemplary
method 300 will be described in greater detail below. The stages of
exemplary method 300 may be executed on communication server 105,
end user device 114 or any combination thereof by executing, for
example, CM software module 235. The aforementioned are exemplary,
and the stages of exemplary method 300 may be executed on other
elements, devices, processors, or servers.
[0034] Exemplary method 300 begins at starting block 305 and
proceeds to stage 310 where CM server 105 receives a request for a
communication service. For example, user 170 may access CM server
105 through end use device 114 and make a request for a
communication service. Furthermore, user 170 may access CM server
105 through a PC or any other device capable accessing network 145
using, for example a browser. The request for the communication
service may relate to, for example, messaging, call log, advanced
call routing features, VoIP, location, ring tone/video tone, or
personal information. The aforementioned communication services are
exemplary and others may be requested by user 170.
[0035] User 170 may have been previously provided a user name and a
password. The user name and password may be entered on a user
interface's main screen on end use device 114 or user 170 may set
the main screen to always remember the name and password. The user
interface may be user friendly and can be used by a single user
(e.g., user 170) for that user's converged services, or by multiple
users who may share converged services (such as a family or
multi-user household, or small business or work team.) In the
family case, the user interface may allow converged services
management associated with a residential home telephone service,
for example.
[0036] Moreover, the user interface may be able to access call
conferencing. For example, user 170 may establish a conference call
with other parties by dialing the parties and adding to the call.
Furthermore, the user interface may have a visual and audible
voicemail message waiting indicator on, for example, a dashboard
and/or the main screen. The visual message waiting indicator may be
the number of unheard voicemail messages.
[0037] From stage 310, where CM server 105 receives the request for
the communication service, exemplary method 300 advances to stage
320 where CM server 105 determines, from a plurality of servers
(e.g., plurality of server 125) based on the request, a first
server capable of servicing the request. For example, CM server 105
may parse the request for the communication service and select at
least one of the plurality of servers 125 to best service the
request. The selected at least one of the plurality of servers 125
may comprise the first server capable of servicing the request.
[0038] For example, if the request for the communication service
relates to access to messaging, then CM server 105 determines the
first server to be messaging application server 127. In this case,
the user interface allows user 170 to access all received message
within their messages stores, including voice mail, email, and
video mail. The message storage device could be completely
integrated in messaging application server 127 for all messaging
services, such as a unified message storage for voice mail, email,
and video mail or the message storage devices could be separate
email, voice mail, or video mail storage devices on separate
servers.
[0039] If the request for the communication service relates to
access to call logs, then CM server 105 determines the first server
to be call log application server 129. Consistent with an
embodiment of the invention, user 170 can access call logs by
entering, for example, user 170's telephone number into the user
interface. Under a call log screen, the user interface may display
phones numbers (e.g., residential home numbers, personal numbers,
and business numbers) that are associated with user 170's name for
that current session. If user 170 enters a telephone number that is
not associated with user 170's user name for that current session,
CM server 105 may cause the user interface to display a message
that asks user 170 to enter a user name and password and state that
the phone number entered is associated with a different user name.
The call log screen may show the caller's caller line ID, and may
show the caller's name, if available. The caller's name may be
extracted, for example, by accessing a telephone company's calling
name database or the user's address book.
[0040] If the request for the communication service relates to
access to call routing, then CM server 105 determines the first
server to be advanced call routing feature application server 131.
From the user interface, user 170 may be able to enable/disable
call routing features associated with, for example, the family
telephone number. Such call routing features may comprise family
number ringing of end use device 114, family number sequential call
routing, and family number simultaneous ringing. In addition, from
the user interface, user 170 may be able to enable/disable the call
routing features associated with a personal number. Such features
may include, for example, personal number simultaneous ring of home
telephone equipment.
[0041] If the request for the communication service relates to
VoIP, then CM server 105 determines the first server to VoIP
application server 133. For example, the VoIP application server
contains call routing functions such as simultaneous ring,
sequential ring, call forwarding. The end user may choose to
identify which phones should be called simultaneously through the
CM, and the CM will provide that information to the VoIP
applications server. Similarly, the end user may want to call
forward a particular phone to another phone. The CM will accept
this information from the end user and send it to the VoIP
application server. The VOIP application server is responsible for
routing and applying call treatments prior to outbound calls being
sent on or off the network, via the Public Switched Telephone
Network (PSTN), an Internet Protocol-based network, or some other
network, either wireless or wireline. The VOIP application server
is also responsible for applying routing of calls and application
of call treatments to inbound calls placed to users of the VOIP
network and services.
[0042] If the request for the communication service relates to
location, then CM server 105 determines the first server to be
location application server 135. For example, the user interface
may allow user 170 to know the presence of persons for which there
is an entry within the user's address book. User 170 may see
presence in several ways. First, within an address book entry an
icon may display that the address book entry has a personal device
that is active on the communication system. Second, when user 170
accesses the call log, a caller line ID of a call may also display
the name of the caller. Moreover, if the caller has a personal
communication device active on the communication network, the user
interface may display an icon to indicate so. And third, the user
interface may have an option called "presence". When user 170
accesses this option, the list of persons within the user's address
book that are active on the communication network may be
displayed.
[0043] Furthermore, the user interface allows user 170 to determine
the physical location of other people. This may be displayed, for
example, in two ways. First, when the presence of another person
within the address book is displayed, the user may click on a
"presence icon". The user interface may engage a session with the
location application to display the physical location information
of the other party, which may be in the form of latitude and
longitude, an icon on a map, or a direction arrow with distance.
Second, the user interface may have a "location services" option.
When user 170 chooses this option, the user interface may engage a
session with location application server 135. In turn, location
application server 135 may display a list of people and objects
(i.e., tags) that could be located by user 170. User 170 could then
choose from this list the person or object that user 170 wishes to
locate.
[0044] If the request for the communication service relates to ring
tones or video tones, then CM server 105 determines the first
server to be ring tone/video tone application server 137. From the
user interface, user 170 may be able to enable/disable distinctive
ringing feature for a personal number, for example. User 170 may be
able to set a desired ring type for user 170's personal number.
Furthermore, the user interface may allow user 170 to set a ring
tone (or video tone) for an incoming caller via the address book.
In this case, user 170 may access an address book entry and then
associate a ring tone (or video tone) from user 170's personal ring
tone (or video tone) library with the address book entry. The ring
tone (or video tone) settings may be synchronized across all of the
user's devices. In this way, an incoming call to any of end user
170 devices may ring with the ring tone (or video tone) specified
for that particular caller.
[0045] If the request for the communication service relates to user
170's address book, then CM server 105 determines the first server
to be personal information server 139. The user interface allows
user 170 to access user 170's address book. The address book may be
synchronized across all of the devices used by the subscriber using
an automated synchronization protocol such as Sync ML, for example.
In this way, when user 170 makes a change to the address book, the
devices for that subscriber may automatically sync using Sync ML,
for example, and whatever communication channel is available (WiFi,
cellular data such as GPRS or COMA 1XRTT, or Ethernet, for
example.)
[0046] Moreover, the user interface may integrate many applications
within user 170's address book. The user interface may allow user
170 to purchase ring tones and apply the ring tones to multiple
devices that are capable of supporting ring tones. The user
interface may allow user 170 to set a permission code to allow
other users to know information about the user, such as user 170's
presence on the communication network, user 170's physical
location, and user 170's personal communication device's location.
In this way the user interface may provide an integration function
and therefore provide converged communication services.
[0047] Consistent with an embodiment of the invention, the address
book includes: name; physical address; telephone numbers; email
addresses; presence indication; message waiting indication (voice
mail, email, video mail, short message); assignment of distinctive
ringing ring tones (or video tones) by address book entry or by
telephone number within address book entry; assignment of a
distinctive "ringback" tone or "ring back" message (or video tones
and video playback messages) to be heard by the caller when the
caller is calling the user; assignment of ring tone (or video tone)
to be delivered with an outgoing call by address book entry;
assignment of permission code to allow an entry within the address
book to see the user's presence information; assignment of a
permission code to allow an entry within the address book to see
the physical location of the user or devices controlled by the
user; and assignment of a permission code to allow an entry within
the address book to send a ring tone (or video tone) when making an
outbound call to the user. The aforementioned are exemplary and the
address book may include other elements or entries.
[0048] Once CM server 105 determines the first server capable of
servicing the request in stage 320, exemplary method 300 continues
to stage 330 where CM server 105 transmits the request to the first
server. For example, CM server 105 determines that one of the
plurality of servers 125 can service the request. At this point, CM
server 105 sends the request to the determined one of the plurality
of servers 125. The determined one of the plurality of servers 125
then carries out the request in conjunction with multi-media
subsystem 115 and other elements of system 100. After CM server 105
transmits the request to the first server in stage 330, exemplary
method 300 then ends at stage 340.
[0049] Furthermore, the invention may be practiced in an electrical
circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or
integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit
utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip containing
electronic elements or microprocessors. The invention may also be
practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical
operations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but
not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum
technologies. In addition, the invention may be practiced within a
general purpose computer or in any other circuits or systems.
[0050] The present invention may be embodied as systems, methods,
and/or computer program products. Accordingly, the present
invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including
firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). Furthermore, the
present invention may take the form of a computer program product
on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having
computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the
medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution
system. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or
computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store,
communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in
connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or
device.
[0051] The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for
example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,
electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus,
device, or propagation medium. More specific examples (a
nonexhaustive list) of the computer-readable medium would include
the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a
portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a
read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory
(EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact
disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or
computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable
medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be
electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the
paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise
processed in a suitable manner, if necessary, and then stored in a
computer memory.
[0052] The present invention is described above with reference to
block diagrams and/or operational illustrations of methods,
systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of
the invention. It is to be understood that the functions/acts noted
in the blocks may occur out of the order noted in the operational
illustrations. For example, two blocks shown in succession may in
fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks may
sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the
functionality/acts involved.
[0053] While certain features and embodiments of the invention have
been described, other embodiments of the invention will be apparent
to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification
and practice of the embodiments of the invention disclosed herein.
Furthermore, although embodiments of the present invention have
been described as being associated with data stored in memory and
other storage mediums, one skilled in the art will appreciate that
these aspects can also be stored on or read from other types of
computer-readable media, such as secondary storage devices, like
hard disks, floppy disks, or a CD-ROM, a carrier wave from the
Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Further, the steps of the
disclosed methods may be modified in any manner, including by
reordering steps and/or inserting or deleting steps, without
departing from the principles of the invention.
[0054] It is intended, therefore, that the specification and
examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and
spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and
their full scope of equivalents.
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