U.S. patent application number 14/994785 was filed with the patent office on 2017-07-13 for altering voicemail greetings based on communication state.
The applicant listed for this patent is T-Mobile, USA, Inc.. Invention is credited to Gunjan Nimbavikar, Chris Roution.
Application Number | 20170201626 14/994785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59257132 |
Filed Date | 2017-07-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170201626 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nimbavikar; Gunjan ; et
al. |
July 13, 2017 |
ALTERING VOICEMAIL GREETINGS BASED ON COMMUNICATION STATE
Abstract
Techniques are disclosed for recording a voicemail greeting for
a user device that is based on the communication state of the
device. As depicted, the communication state may be defined as the
user device connected with the core network via the cellular
network, the user device connected with the voicemail system via
Wi-Fi, the user device not being connected with any wireless
network, the user device geolocation and the user device being
blocked for a period of time. The embodiment allows the user device
to update the communication state and record a voicemail greeting
via the cellular network or a Wi-Fi signal.
Inventors: |
Nimbavikar; Gunjan;
(Bellevue, WA) ; Roution; Chris; (Seattle,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
T-Mobile, USA, Inc. |
Bellevue |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59257132 |
Appl. No.: |
14/994785 |
Filed: |
January 13, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 4/025 20130101;
H04M 2203/301 20130101; H04M 3/42348 20130101; H04M 3/53308
20130101; H04M 3/53383 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04M 3/533 20060101
H04M003/533; H04W 4/02 20060101 H04W004/02; H04W 72/04 20060101
H04W072/04 |
Claims
1. A system, comprising: a processor; and a memory communicatively
coupled to the processor, the memory bearing computer-executable
instructions that, upon execution by the processor, cause the
system at least to: receive an incoming call from a first telephone
that is directed to a second cellular telephone; select, as a
selected outgoing voicemail greeting, a first outgoing voicemail
greeting from a plurality of outgoing voice greetings in response
to determining that the second cellular telephone is in a first
communication state of being reachable by a core network via at
least a cellular connection; select, as the selected outgoing
voicemail greeting, a second outgoing voicemail greeting from a
plurality of outgoing voicemail greetings in response to
determining that the second cellular telephone is in a second
communication state of being reachable by the core network via a
Wi-Fi connection without being reachable via the cellular
connection; select, as the selected outgoing voicemail greeting, a
third outgoing voicemail greeting from a plurality of outgoing
voicemail greetings in response to determining the second cellular
telephone is in a third communication state of being not reachable
by the core network; and send the selected outgoing voicemail
greeting to the first telephone.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory further bears
computer-executable instructions that, upon execution by the
processor, cause the system at least to: connect the second
cellular telephone to the system to register an outgoing voicemail
greeting for a communication state; and update an association
between the outgoing voicemail greeting for the communication state
and communication state.
3. The system of claim 2, wherein the memory further bears
computer-executable instructions that, upon execution by the
processor, cause the system at least to: connect the second
cellular telephone to the system to register an alternative
outgoing voicemail greeting for a communication state; and update
an association between the alternative outgoing voicemail greeting
for the communication state and the communication state.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory further bears
computer-executable instructions that, upon execution by the
processor, cause the system at least to: determine a communication
state of the second cellular telephone before receiving the
incoming call.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory further bears
computer-executable instructions that, upon execution by the
processor, cause the system at least to: determine a communication
state of the second cellular telephone based on a signal strength
of a cellular tower control channel.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory further bears
computer-executable instructions that, upon execution by the
processor, cause the system at least to: determine a communication
state of the second cellular telephone based on a Wi-Fi router
Internet Protocol (IP) address.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein the memory further bears
computer-executable instructions that, upon execution by the
processor, cause the system at least to: determine a communication
state of the second cellular telephone based on the second cellular
telephone currently being set not to connect to any wireless
systems.
8. A computer-implemented method, comprising: determining a
geolocation of the first cellular telephone that is receiving a
call request from a second telephone determining a communication
state of the first cellular telephone based on the geolocation of
the first cellular telephone, the communication state being a first
communication state in which the first cellular telephone is at a
place of residence or a second communication state in which the
first cellular telephone is at a place of work; selecting a
predetermined voicemail greeting from a plurality of predetermined
voicemail greetings based on communication state of the first
cellular telephone, the predetermined voicemail greeting indicating
the first cellular telephone as being at the place of residence or
at the place of work; and sending the predetermined voicemail
greeting to the second telephone.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the
determining the geolocation includes determining the geolocation of
the first cellular telephone via a primary cellular tower that is
communicating with the first cellular telephone.
10. The computer-implemented method of claim 9, wherein the
geolocation of the first cellular device is determined based on a
signal strength of a control channel of the cellular tower.
11. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the
determining the geolocation includes determining of the first
cellular telephone based on an Internet Protocol (IP) address that
the first cellular telephone is using to communicate with a core
network.
12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, wherein
determining the IP address includes determining the IP address
based on the IP address being assigned to a Wi-Fi router that is
communicating with the first cellular telephone.
13. The computer-implemented method of claim 8, wherein the
plurality of voicemail greetings are provided by the user.
14. A computer-implemented method, comprising: receiving, by a
server, an incoming synchronous communication from a first
telephonic communication device that is directed to a second
telephonic communication device; determining, by the server, a
communications state for the second telephonic communication
device, communication state being one of reachable by a core
network via at least a first communication protocol, reachable by
the core network via a second communication protocol without being
reachable via the first communication protocol, and not reachable
by the core network; selecting, by the server, an indication that a
user of the second telephonic communication device is reachable by
the core network via the second communication protocol without
being reachable via the first communication protocol from a
plurality of indications based on the determined communication
state of the second telephonic communication device; and sending,
by the server, the indication to the first telephonic communication
device.
15. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the
determining the communications state for the second telephonic
communication device comprises: determining the communications
state based on an user input received from the second telephonic
communication device.
16. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the
determining the communications state for the second telephonic
communication device comprises: determining the communications
state based on a geolocation of the second telephonic communication
device.
17. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, wherein the
determining the communications state based on the geolocation of
the second telephonic communication device comprises: determining
the geolocation based on a Wi-Fi network Internet Protocol (IP)
address associated with the second telephonic communication
device.
18. The computer-implemented method of claim 16, wherein the
determining the communications state based on the geolocation of
the second telephonic communication device comprises: determining
the geolocation based on a control channel signal strength of a
cellular tower communicating with the second telephonic
communication device.
19. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the
determining the communications state for the second telephonic
communication device comprises: determining the communications
state for the second telephonic communication device based on
whether the incoming synchronous communication falls within a
predetermined period of time.
20. The computer-implemented method of claim 14, wherein the first
communication protocol is associated with cellular communication
and the second communication protocol is associated with Wi-Fi
communication.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] With the advent of the smart phone, the ability of a handset
to offer more services and information to the user drastically
increased. While previously a cell phone handset could be used for
placing calls between parties and retrieving voicemails, now one
could add software to the phone to retrieve information, pictures
and video over the airwaves. In response, cell phone carriers were
forced to secure additional bandwidth from federal regulators or
explore other options to meet the increased demands on frequency
bandwidth.
[0002] More recently, to allow cell phone users to use the handset
while not encumbering their frequency spectrum, phone carriers have
offered handset devices that have the ability to connect to the
cell phone system through Wi-Fi networks. This feature greatly
enhances the capacity of cell phone networks to sustain more users
and the ability to transfer increasing amounts of data to the
handset for a greater user experience.
[0003] As with the cell phone, the modern voicemail system had its
beginnings in the late 1970s and it was only a matter of time
before it was incorporated into the mobile phone services. There
are many problems with voicemail systems, some of which are well
known.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0004] The Detailed Description is set forth with reference to the
accompanying Figures.
[0005] FIG. 1 illustrates example network architecture for
implementing a voicemail greeting.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing various components of an
illustrative voicemail system.
[0007] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a user device in
connectivity with cellular telephone towers.
[0008] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a user device in
connectivity concurrently with a cellular tower and a wireless
router.
[0009] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a user device in
connectivity with a wireless router.
[0010] FIG. 6 depicts operating procedures for routing a call
request from one user device to another and forwarding a voicemail
greeting for a communication state to the calling user device.
[0011] FIG. 7 depicts operating procedures for selecting a
voicemail greeting for a communication state for the user
device.
[0012] FIG. 8 depicts operating procedures for sending a voicemail
greeting when the communication state is the geolocation of the
user device.
[0013] FIG. 9 depicts operating procedures for sending a voicemail
greeting when the communication state is when the user device is
blocked from receiving call requests for a period of time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Context of Altering Voicemail Greeting Based on State
Overview
[0014] Unlike the cell phone, enhancements and development of the
voicemail system have been limited. One can leave and retrieve
voicemails, but there is need for the voicemail system to have
additional features that improve its practicality and enhance the
user experience over the various wireless networks. This need
extends to adjusting a voicemail greeting based on a communication
state of a cell phone. A voicemail greeting is generally a message
that a caller hears when he or she makes a call that goes
unanswered, and is prompted to leave a voicemail message.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates example system architecture for
implementing a customizable voicemail greeting system. The core
network 100 may include cellular towers 104(a), 104(b), 104(c),
with a base station, connected to the core network 112, via a
corresponding backhaul 118. The cellular towers 104(a), 104(b),
104(c) are responsible for transmitting and receiving data from
user devices 102(a), 102(b), 102(c) (sometimes referred to as
computing devices, or telephonic communication devices) that are
located within the area of coverage 116 for cellular tower 104. The
backhaul 118 connections may be implemented via copper cables,
fiber optic cables, microwave transceivers, and laser transceivers.
User devices 102 may be cellular telephones, smart phones, tablets,
computers, or any other device capable of connecting with the core
network to transmit and receive voice and data communication.
[0016] User devices may also be linked to the core network 100, via
a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) signal distributed by a wireless router
106. In general, Wi-Fi may refer to wireless communications
according to a Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
(IEEE) 802.11 protocol, such as 802.11(g), 802.11(n), and
802.11(ac). Copper cables or fiber optic cables may achieve
connection to the Internet 108, and from the Internet 108 the data
and voice communication is transmitted to the core network 112 via
an Internet gateway 110.
[0017] In general, cellular towers 104 may be considered to use a
communications protocol that utilizes licensed spectrum, and
wireless router 106 may be considered to be using a communications
protocol that utilizes unlicensed spectrum. Licensed spectrum
covers long distance, high power radiation emitters, which may
include cellular base stations on standards such as Code Division
Multiple Access 2000 ("CDMA2000"), Wideband Code Division Multiple
Access ("W-CDMA"), High Speed Packet Access Plus ("HSPA+"), and
Long Term Evolution ("LTE") base stations. For purposes of this
patent application, licensed spectrum refers to any EMF that
relates to frequencies whose use is amenable to long distance
and/or high power radiation emission, as to be regulated by license
by a government.
[0018] In contrast, relatively short distance/low power radiation
emitters, have less risk of interfering with other user devices.
While still regulated, these EMF frequencies are typically not
subject to license. For example, in the United States, the Federal
Communications Commission ("FCC") presently regulates unlicensed
spectrum via Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 15
("47 CFR 15").
[0019] Unlicensed emitters, include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, cordless
phones, and frequency modulation ("FM") bands for used for
low-distance coverage encompassing a single business locale, a
residence, or shorter. Also contemplated are transmitters which may
have longer range capability but whose focus limits diffusion and
therefore limits the potential to interfere with other
communications. An example may include laser based communications
where the laser intensity is sufficiently low not to cause health
hazards. For purposes of this patent application, unlicensed
spectrum refers to any EMF that relates to frequencies whose use is
amenable to low-distance and/or low power radiation emission, as
not to be regulated by license by a government.
[0020] As the central part of the core network 100, the core
network 112 tracks user devices and routes voice and data
communication between these devices.
[0021] For example, as depicted, a first user device 102(a) that is
communicatively linked to cellular tower 104(a) places a voice
communication request to a second user device 102(b). The request
is routed to the core network 112, via backhaul 118. The core
network 112 determines the location and the communication state of
the second user device 102(b), and determines whether (1) the
second user device 102(b) is reachable via a wireless communication
link with cellular tower 104(a); (2) a wireless communication link
with a Wi-Fi router 106; or (3) not reachable due to the user
device's 102(b) inability to communicate with any wireless
networks. Based on the communication state of the second user
device, the call request may be routed by the core network 112 to
the second user device 102(b) or to the voicemail system 114. If
the call request is routed to the voicemail system 114, the system
returns a voicemail greeting via the core network 112 to the first
user device 102(a).
[0022] It may be appreciated that embodiments of the invention,
such as those described with respect to the operating procedures of
FIGS. 6-9 may be implemented in this example system architecture.
For example, the operating procedures of FIGS. 6, 8, and 9 may be
implemented in the core network 112, and the operating process of
FIG. 7 may be implemented in the user device 102(a). Each of the
processes is illustrated as a collection of operations, which
represents a sequence of operations that can be implemented in
hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In the context of
software, the operations may represent computer-executable
instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, perform
the recited operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions
may include routines, programs, objects, components, data
structures, and the like that perform particular functions or
implement particular abstract data types. The order in which the
embodiments are implemented is not intended to be construed as a
limitation, as there may be other orders of the depicted
operations. It may further be appreciated that this example system
architecture is an example, and embodiments of the invention may be
implemented in other system architectures, such as one that
contains more than the three cellular towers 104 that are depicted
here, or one that contains multiple core networks 112, multiple
voicemail systems 114, or multiple wireless routers 106.
Exemplary Hardware, Software and Communications Environment
[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the various components of
an illustrative computer system configured to execute processes
that embodied in a voicemail system 114. The voicemail system 114
may include one or more central processing units (CPU) 202,
telephone interfaces 204, system disks 206, disk controller and
message disks 208, and a network interface 210.
[0024] In some embodiments, the CPU 202 may contain the operating
system and software for the voicemail system that enables the core
network 112 and the user to interact with the system by recording
voicemail greetings and retrieving voicemail messages. The CPU 202
may be a single core processor, a multi core processor, or another
type of processor. The processors may perform operation in parallel
to process a continuous stream of data. The CPU 202 may also
include network processors that manage speed communication
interfaces, including interfaces that interact with peripheral
components, such as memory disks, interfaces, and additional
voicemail systems.
[0025] The telephone interfaces 204 may enable the CPU 202 to
transmit and receive data from the core network 112 via a wired
computer network connection, which may include a plurality of
connections to allow multiple user account interactions with the
system. The telephone interface 204 may detect communication
request from the core network 112 and forward this request to the
CPU 202 of the voicemail system 114.
[0026] The system disks 206 may contain the user directory with
user preferences, such as voicemail greetings, extensions to
voicemail message disks, and access passwords. In embodiments, the
user may record multiple voicemail greetings to the system disks
and may define the state for which the voicemail system 114
forwards the voicemail greeting to the user device 102(a) that
submitted the call request. The system disks 206 may be implemented
using computer readable media, such as computer storage media.
Computer readable media includes at least two types of computer
readable media, namely computer storage media and communications
media. Computer storage media includes transitory and
non-transitory, volatile and non-volatile, removable and
non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for
storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data
structures, program operations, or other data. Computer storage
media is sometimes referred to as computer-readable storage media.
Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to random
access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, or other
memory technology, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) discs,
digital versatile discs (DVD; sometimes also referred to as digital
video discs), high definition video storage disks or other optical
storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium that can be
used to store information for access by a telephonic communication
device. In contrast, communications media may embody computer
readable instructions, data structures, program operations, or
other data in a modulated data signal, such as carrier wave, or
other transmission mechanism.
[0027] The disk controller and message disks 208 may contain the
user accounts and the associated voicemails stored on their
respective accounts. The type of storage device used for the disk
controller and message disks 208 may be computer storage similar to
the media defined and used for the system disks 206.
[0028] The network interface 210 may enable the voicemail system
114 to transmit and receive data via a wired connection to
additional voicemail systems for additional system capacity to
store voicemail user accounts and voicemails.
Example Communication States
[0029] FIG. 3 is a detailed partial representation of FIG. 1
showing the user device 102(a) communicatively connecting with the
core network 112, through the group of cellular towers 104(a),
104(b), and 104(c). It can be noted that user device 102(a) has the
ability to connect with cellular tower 104(a) while its position is
within the area of cellular signal coverage 116 for cellular tower
104(a). The connectivity of the user device 102(a) to the cellular
tower 104(a) is determined by the strength of the control signal
124. For example user device 102(b) is depicted in the area of
coverage 116 of cellular tower 104(b) and 104(c), and during its
movement within the space between the two cellular towers, the core
network 112 transfers the user device 102(b) connectivity from the
first cellular tower 104(b) to the second cellular tower 104(c) due
to its greater control signal 124 strength quality with the user
device 102(b). As depicted, user device 102(c) is outside of the
area of cellular signal coverage 116, and does not have the ability
to establish connectivity with the cellular network.
[0030] It can be a appreciated that the three cellular towers
depicted in FIG. 3 may be represented by microcells, distributed
antenna systems (DAS) or any other device that has the capability
of connecting the user device 102 to the core network 112 to
establish connectivity with the core network.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a detailed representation of a section of FIG. 1
depicting user device 102 concurrently communicatively connected to
both the cellular tower 104, and the wireless router 106.
Connectivity to cellular tower 104 is accomplished via the control
signal 124 and association with the wireless router 106 is achieved
via the Wi-Fi signal 122. It may be established that in the
condition shown, communication of the user device 102 with the core
network 112 may be prioritized by the core network 112 or by the
user to take effect on either the cellular or the Wi-Fi
network.
[0032] For example, if the user device 102 is located in an area
where the cellular signal 116 does not meet a minimum threshold,
but the Wi-Fi signal 122 exceeds its minimum threshold, the user
device 102 may be set to prioritize communication on the Wi-Fi
network over the cellular network. Similarly, the user device 102
may be set to disregard the Wi-Fi signal 122 and establish
communication with the cellular network exclusively via the control
signal 124 emitted by the cellular towers 104.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a partial view of FIG. 1 depicting a user device
102 communicatively connected to a wireless router 106 via the
Wi-Fi signal 122. The packet data is transmitted to the core
network 112, through the dedicated backhaul 118 to the Internet
108. The backhaul 118 may include a local area network (LAN), a
larger network such as a wide area network (WAN), or any other
wired or wireless backhaul connection. In a LAN or WAN system, a
regular network gateway for data access, typically an Internet
gateway is directly connected to both the wired LAN and Internet
through which LAN users can connect and browse the Internet. The
local network may be extended to a Wi-Fi wireless domain by
wireless gateways or access points. The most commonly used wired
LAN/WAN in a typical corporation, including most companies or home
networks are Ethernet. However, any other digital network can be
used such as asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) or fiber network as
long as they can transmit data packets using standard protocol such
as transmission control protocol/internet protocol (TCP/IP) and
they communicate with the Wi-Fi network through access points.
Furthermore, the wired interface can also be replaced by another
wireless interface such as Global Standard for Mobile (GSM),
Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Code Division Multiple Access
(CDMA), Long Term Evolution (LTE) or other cellular network
interfaces that provides an alternative reliable connection.
Example Operating Procedures for Altering Voicemail Greeting Based
on State
[0034] FIG. 6 depicts operating procedures for implementing a
communication session between two user devices 102, from the
perspective of the core network 112, and starts at operation 600.
In operation 602, a user device 102(a) may submit a request to the
core network 100 for a communication session with a second user
device 102(b). In operation 604, the system may attempt to
establish communication with the second user device 102(b) through
the cellular network. In operation 606, core network 112 may
determine if the second user device 102(b) is reachable. Where the
second user device is reachable, at operation 610, the request may
be routed to the last known location of the second user device
102(b), which may be the last cellular tower 104 that the second
user device 102(b) was connected via the control signal 124. If the
location for the second user device 102(b) is determined, the
communication session between the two user devices may be opened
and call from the first user device 102(a) is forwarded 608 to the
second user device 102(b). Alternatively, the core network 112 may
try to establish the location of the second user device 104(b) via
the Wi-Fi network.
[0035] At operation 610, the core network 112 may route the call
request from the first user device 102(a) to the last known IP
address that the second user device 102(b) was in communication
with via the Wi-Fi signal 122. Thus, at operation 612, if the core
network 112 determines that the second user device 104(b) is
communicatively connected to the Wi-Fi network ("yes" at decision
operation 612), the process may proceed to operation 608.
Alternatively, the process may proceed to operation 614 ("no" at
decision operation 612).
[0036] At operation 614, upon the system's inability to locate the
second user device 102(b), the core network 112 may direct the call
request to the voicemail system 114. In turn, the voicemail system
114 may relay the voicemail greeting of user device 102(b) for the
predetermined communication status, to the first user device
102(A). The user of the device, or the core network 100 may define
the communications state for the second user device 102(b). The set
of criteria available for the user as a communication state for the
second user device 102(b) may be the geolocation of the device or a
period of time when all requests for communication with the user
device 102(b) are blocked, as established by the user, and the
connectivity state.
[0037] For example, it may be that the core network 100 may not
reach the second user device 102(b) because user blocked all
incoming requests for communication with user device 102(b) for a
few hours. Thus, during that period, the voicemail system 114 may
return a predetermined voicemail greeting recorded by the user
associated with that state of communication.
[0038] Alternatively, the user device 102(b) may be located within
the user's place of residence, but out of the user's reach. Upon a
request for a communication session received from another user
device 102(a), routed to the voicemail system 114 by the core
network 100, the voicemail system 114 may return a different
predetermined voicemail greeting specific to the state that the
user device 102(b) is located in the user residence.
[0039] It may be appreciated that the operating procedures of FIG.
6 are illustrative and there may be embodiments that implement more
or fewer operations than depicted here, or may implement the
operation in a different order as depicted here. For example, in
addition to cellular and Wi-Fi networks, the core network may check
the user device's 102(b) connectivity to other wireless
communication networks or there may multiple communications statues
associated to voicemail greetings stored on the voicemail system
114 for the user device 102(b).
[0040] FIG. 7 illustrates example, operating procedures for
recording a new voicemail greeting to the voicemail system 114 for
a predetermined communication status. In embodiments, the flow
diagram may involve the user device 102(b) being communicatively
connected to the voicemail system 114 via Wi-Fi, or the cellular
network. The operating procedures of FIG. 7 may be implemented from
the point of view of the user device 102 and the process may start
with operation 700. At operation 702, the user device 102 may
receive a request to change an existing voicemail greeting or
record a new voicemail greeting that is directed to the voicemail
system 114. The process may involve the user device 102 being
communicatively connected with the voicemail system 114 through the
wireless signal from a cellular tower 104 or in embodiments, the
user device 102 may be communicatively connected to the voicemail
system 114 via the Wi-Fi signal 122 with a wireless router 106.
[0041] The implementation of operation 704 may involve the user
providing user input to the user device indicative the state of
communication for which the voicemail greeting is to be changed or
recorded. The state of communication for the user device 102(b) may
be transmitted to the voicemail system via voice or the keyboard of
the user device 102(b). In other embodiments, the user may record a
greeting in a visual voicemail application, and drag-and-drop the
recorded message in a graphical user interface to indicate that it
is the voicemail greeting to be selected.
[0042] In operation 706, the voicemail system 114 may determine the
status of the voicemail greeting request that originated from the
user device 102(b). The validity of the request may be determined
by the voicemail system 114, based on a determination of the
validity for the communication state. It may be appreciated that
the communication conditions shown may be an example enumeration of
the possible conditions available to the voicemail system 114 to
choose from, and there may be other communications conditions for
which the voicemail greetings may be stored. If the request is
determined to be valid ("yes" in operation 706) the process
proceeds to operation 710, otherwise ("no" in operation 706) the
voicemail system 114 selects a default voicemail greeting in
operation 708 that is assigned to the voicemail account associated
with user device 102(b).
[0043] In operation 710, the voicemail system 114 may select, from
a plurality of prerecorded voicemail greetings, the voicemail
greeting associated with the valid communication state received
from the user device 102(b). Alternatively, the user of the user
device 102(b) may prerecord a new voicemail greeting and associate
it to the validated communication state. In either case, the
selected voicemail greeting that may be stored on the voicemail
system disks is associated to the message account related to the
user device 102(b).
[0044] The voicemail greetings may be stored as a file or a set of
files on a magnetic disk, optical disc, or some other secondary
storage device. The information in these files may be broken down
into records, each of which may consist of one voicemail greeting.
Voicemail greetings may also be organized into tables that include
information about relationships between its communication states.
The collection of voicemail greetings and communication states may
involve cross-referencing so that one communication state relates
to one voicemail greeting on the system.
[0045] In the embodiment of operation 712, the selected voicemail
greeting may be addressed to the user device 102(b) extension
located on the voicemail system 114 message disks. The voicemail
greeting direction from the system disks to the user device 102(b)
extension, stored on the message disks, may occur as a transfer of
the greeting to the extension associated to the user device 102(b),
or it may be a transfer of a voicemail greeting address to such
extension. As such, the voicemail greeting associated with the
extension is recalled when a call request is directed to the
voicemail system 114 extension by the core network 112. The
extension may store one or a plurality of voicemail greetings
associated to a range of valid communication states linked to the
user device 102(b).
[0046] FIG. 8 depicts example operating procedures for determining
a communication status that is associated with a voicemail greeting
based on a geolocation of a user device. It may be understood that
the geolocation of the user device 102(b) is an attribute dependent
on the user device's connection with a cellular tower 104, the
location of the Wi-Fi signal 106 that the user device 102(b) is
connected to, or the Global Positioning System (GPS) defined by the
device. The identification of the real world geographic location of
the user device, which may be a state that defines the
communication state of the user device 102(b) is a condition
defined by the device. The user device 102(b) communicates with the
core network to convey its status to the voicemail system 114, for
the system to select the valid voicemail greeting.
[0047] The process starts in operation 800, when the second user
device 102(b) receives a request to communicate from the first user
device 102(a), via a connection determined by the core network 112.
The call request may be sent while the user device 102(b) may be
communicatively linked with the core network via a cellular tower
or a Wi-Fi signal. The call request is processed by the user device
102(b) by comparing it to its predetermined communication state, as
shown in operation 804.
[0048] In operation 806, the user device 102(b) acts on the
received call request by accepting it ("yes" in operation 806), or
rejecting it ("no" in operation 806). If the call request is
accepted the process is routed to operation 808, where the
communication session is acceded and the communication link between
the two user devices is initiated.
[0049] If, instead, the call request is rejected, the user device
102(b) determines its communication status from a plurality of
statuses preprogrammed into the device. In operation 810, the user
device 102(b) may analyze its preprogrammed communication statuses
to determine if its geolocation is a valid communication status
condition ("yes" in operation 810) that involves the process
proceeding to operation 814. Furthermore, geolocation may not the
governing condition for the decline of the call request ("no" in
operation 810), in which case the voicemail greeting selected for
the communication status, in operation 812, is independent of the
geolocation factor.
[0050] In the state where the communication status of the user
device 102(b) is dependent on the geolocation of the device ("no"
in operation 810), the process proceeds to operation 814, where the
device 102(b) acquires its location and transmits it to the
voicemail system 114. The geolocation may be determined by the GPS
coordinates of the device, the communication link with a cellular
tower 104 that has a defined location, or the address of the
wireless router that is linked to the user device 102(b). The
geolocation may be relayed back to the voicemail system 114 for
additional determinations and greeting selection.
[0051] In operation 816, the voicemail system selects the voicemail
greeting, from a plurality of voicemail greetings assigned to user
device 102(b) extension on the voicemail system 114 that satisfies
the location coordinates of the user device 102(b). The extension
may contain several voicemail greetings that are associated to
different geolocation points. For example, a voicemail greeting may
be associated with a condition when the user device is located at
"home," while a separate voicemail greeting may be selected when
the geolocation of the user device is "at work."
[0052] Finally, in operation 820 the voicemail greeting is sent to
the first user device 102(a).
[0053] As opposed to the communication state being defined by the
user device 102(b), in certain embodiments the core network 112 may
determine the communications status for the device. It may be
appreciated that in these embodiments, the communication status for
the user device 102(b) may be determined by other systems in the
core network 100 and communication with the user device 102(b) is
not a condition that defines the status. For example, if the user
device 102(b) is outside the area of coverage 116, and not
communicatively linked to any wireless communication systems, the
core network 112 may direct the call request to the voicemail
system 114. Furthermore, if the user device 102(b) is blocked from
receiving call requests for a period of time, these embodiments may
not involve communication with the device to determine
communication status, and the call may be routed to the voicemail
system 114 extension associated with the device.
[0054] The process for determining the communication status of the
user device 102(b) may be a conditional upon a request by the user
device to operation all call requests for a period of time, as
shown in FIG. 9. The process is depicted from the point of view of
the user device 102(b), but the core network 112 or any other
system in the core network may also implement it. The process
commences in operation 900.
[0055] In operation 902, the second user device 102(b) may receive
a communication request from the first user device 102(a), via the
core network 112. The user devices may be communicatively linked to
cellular towers 104 in the cellular network or linked to wireless
routers via Wi-Fi.
[0056] In operation 904, the user device 102(b) is in receipt of
the call request and in process of determining its communication
status. The call request may be accepted or denied based on the
communication status and the decision is performed in operation
906. If the call request is accepted ("yes" in operation 906) the
process proceeds to operation 908 where the communication with the
first user device 102(a) is activated and the process is routed to
operation 920 for closure of the procedure. With a negative
assertion ("no" in operation 906), the user device 102(b)
determines and defines its communication status for which the call
request is rejected.
[0057] In operation 910, as the call request is denied, the
communication status for which the user device 102(b) is
unavailable is determined. The condition may be defined by one of a
plurality of communication statuses, but if the condition refers to
the user device 102(b) being blocked for a period of time ("yes" in
logical operation 910), the process is directed to operation 914.
Alternatively, if the condition is defined as anything other than
the user device 102(b) blocked for a period of time ("no" in
logical operation 910, the voicemail greeting selected in operation
912 is independent of the time operation condition.
[0058] It may be appreciated that the illustrative embodiment may
not involve the core network 112 to route the call request to the
user device 102(b), but the communication status for the user
device 102(b) may be stored in the core network 112 or any other
system of the core network.
[0059] In operation 914, the user device may record the time and
route this value to the voicemail system 114 for the corresponding
voicemail greeting to be selected. For example, the user of the
user device 102(b) may select a voicemail greeting for the 9:00 AM
and 5:00 PM time period, and select an alternate voicemail greeting
for the 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM time period.
[0060] Upon receipt of the time record from the user device 102(b),
in operation 916, the voicemail system may select the voicemail
greeting associated with the communication status validated by the
user device 102(b). The voicemail greeting may be stored in the
voicemail extension on the voicemail system 114 message disks, or
may be stored on the system disks and associated to the voicemail
extension.
[0061] Lastly, the voicemail system 114 transmits the valid
voicemail greeting to the first user device 102(a).
CONCLUSION
[0062] Although the subject matter has been described in language
specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is
to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended
claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts
described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described
above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the
claims.
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