Communications environment

• US 20040019629A1
• Filed: 07/23/2002
• Published: 01/29/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/23/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Combots Product GmbH
• Original Assignee: WEB.DE AG (Cinetic Gesellschaft zur Entwicklung & Vertrieb von Medien)
• Inventors: Cotte, Pierre-Alain
• Application Number:
  US10/201,446
• Publication Number:
  US 20040019629A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/00 Network arrangements, protocols or services for addressing or naming
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0861 using biometrical features, e.g. fingerprint, retina-scan cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using biological data H04L9/3231
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1083 In-session procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/401 wherein the services involve a main real-time session and one or more additional parallel real-time or time sensitive sessions, e.g. white board sharing or spawning of a subconference
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4038 with floor control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/567 Integrating service provisioning from a plurality of service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/36 : Memories
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 : using speech recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 : Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2066 : Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 : Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6054 : Biometric subscriber identification
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/203 : composed of PSTN and data network, e.g. the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 : Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 : using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 : Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 : Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 : Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 : by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 : Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42365 : Presence services providing information on the willingness to communicate or the ability to communicate in terms of media capability or network connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 : Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 : Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 : Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 : comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 : Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 : Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/562 : where the conference facilities are distributed
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/003 : Click to dial services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0045 : where the text-based messaging service is an instant messaging service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0054 : where the data service is an electronic mail service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 : Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/123 : where the packet-switched network is an Internet Protocol Multimedia System-type network
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1285 : Details of finding and selecting a gateway for a particular call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0037 : involving call modelling techniques, e.g. modifications to the basic call state model [BCSM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 : involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems

Abstract

A communications environment includes a first end user unit configured for performing network-based communications and a web site corresponding to a specific entity. The web site provides, upon an accessing of the web site, private communications between the first end user unit and the specific entity.

Claims

1. A communications environment, comprising:

a first end user unit configured for performing network-based communications; and

a web site corresponding to a specific entity, the web site being configured for providing, upon an accessing of the web site, private communications between the first end user unit and the specific entity.

2. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the accessing is an accessing by the first end user unit.

3. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the accessing is an accessing by the specific entity.

4. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 further comprising a second end user unit associated with the specific entity and configured for performing network-based communications, the accessing being performed using the second end user unit.

5. The communications environment as recited in claim 4 further comprising a third end user unit associated with the specific entity and configured for performing network-based communications, the private communications being performed using the third end user unit.

6. The communications environment as recited in claim 5 wherein the second and end user unit and the third end user unit each includes at least one of a telephone, a keyboard, a computer terminal, and a mobile communications device.

7. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the first end user unit includes at least one of a telephone, a keyboard, a computer terminal, and a mobile communications device.

8. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the web site includes at least one web page corresponding to the specific entity.

9. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the web site is a site accessible via a web browser.

10. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the web site is a site on the World Wide Web.

11. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the web site is accessible via a unique address corresponding to the specific entity.

12. The communications environment as recited in claim 10 wherein the unique address includes at least one of a telephone number, an IP address, an Internet domain name, and a URL.

13. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the specific entity controls the web site.

14. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the specific entity is capable of accessing and controlling the web site via a browser-based application.

15. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the private communications are bi-directional between the first end user unit and the specific entity.

16. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the private communications include at least one of a telephone conversation, an e-mail exchange, a fax-communication, and a file-exchange.

17. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 wherein the private communications are performed over a plurality of different communication links.

18. The communications environment as recited in claim 17 wherein plurality of different communication links include at least one of a PSTN link, an Internet link, an optical fiber link, an ATM-WLL link, and a wireless mobile network link.

19. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 further comprising a gateway configured for interfacing between a first and a second communications link so as to establish a communications path from the first end user unit to the web site in response to a request by the first end user unit for the accessing, the first and the second communications links being of different types.

20. The communications environment as recited in claim 19 wherein the first communications link is a link of a PSTN network and the second communications link is a link of at least one of a computer network and the Internet.

21. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 further comprising a gateway configured for interfacing between a first and a second communications link so as to establish a communications path from the web site to the specific entity in response to a request by the first end user unit for the accessing, the first and the second communications links being of different types.

22. The communications environment as recited in claim 21 wherein the first communications link is a link of a PSTN network and the second communications link is a link of at least one of a computer network and the Internet.

23. The communications environment as recited in claim 1 further comprising a client configured for providing a user interface to the web site.

24. The communications environment as recited in claim 23 wherein the client is configured for communicating with the web site via a network.

25. The communications environment as recited in claim 23 wherein the client is associated with the specific entity and wherein the accessing is performed using the client.

26. A web site for providing communications, comprising:

at least one web page corresponding to a specific entity; and

a processing device configured for providing, upon an accessing of the web page, for private communications between an end user unit and the specific entity.

27. The web site as recited in claim 26 wherein the accessing is an accessing by the first end user unit.

28. The web site as recited in claim 26 wherein the private communications are bi-directional between the first end user unit and the specific entity.

29. A communications device comprising:

a user interface device configured for at least one of a user input and a user output; and

a network interface device configured performing network-based private communications with a specific entity associated with a web site in response to an accessing of the web site.

30. The communications device as recited in claim 29 wherein the network interface device is configured for performing the accessing.

31. The communications device as recited in claim 29 wherein the private communications are bi-directional between the first end user unit and the specific entity.

32. The communications device as recited in claim 29 wherein the user interface device includes at least one of a telephone, a keyboard, a computer terminal, and a mobile communications device.

33. The communications device as recited in claim 29 wherein the network interface device includes at least one of a V.42, V.90, V.92 modem, a PCMCIA modem, a DSL modem, an ISDN adapter, a cable modem, a wireless modem, an ethernet card, and an integrated modem of a mobile phone.

34. A method for providing communications, comprising:

providing a web site corresponding to a specific entity and being configured for providing private communications; and

providing, in response to an accessing of the web site, private communications between a first end user unit and the specific entity.

35. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the accessing is an accessing by the first end user unit.

36. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the accessing is an accessing by the specific entity.

37. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the accessing of the web site is performed using a second end user unit associated with the specific entity and configured for performing network-based communications.

38. The method as recited in claim 37 wherein the providing the private communications is performed using a third end user unit associated with the specific entity and configured for performing network-based communications.

39. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the first end user unit includes at least one of a telephone, a keyboard, a computer terminal, and a mobile communications device.

40. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the web site includes at least one web page corresponding to the specific entity.

41. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the web site is a site accessible via a web browser.

42. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the web site is a site on the World Wide Web.

43. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the web site is accessible via a unique address corresponding to the specific entity.

44. The method as recited in claim 43 wherein the unique address includes at least one of a telephone number, an IP address, an Internet domain name, and a URL.

45. The method as recited in claim 34 further comprising controlling the web site by the specific entity.

46. The method as recited in claim 34 further comprising accessing and controlling the web site by the specific entity via a browser-based application.

47. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the private communications are bi-directional between the first end user unit and the specific entity.

48. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the private communications include at least one of a telephone conversation, an e-mail exchange, a fax-communication, and a file-exchange.

49. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the private communications are provided over a plurality of different communication links.

50. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the private communications are provided over a plurality of different communication links, the plurality of different communication links including at least one of a PSTN link, an Internet link, an optical fiber link, an ATM-WLL link, and a wireless mobile network link.

51. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the private communications are provided via a second end user unit associated with the specific entity and configured for performing network-based communications.

52. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the private communications are provided via a second end user unit associated with the specific entity and configured for performing network-based communications, the second end user unit including at least one of a telephone, a keyboard, a computer terminal, and a mobile communications device.

53. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the providing the private communications is performed using a gateway configured for interfacing between a first and a second communications link so as to establish a communication path from the first end user unit to the web site in response to a request by the first end user unit for the accessing, the first and the second communications links being of different types.

54. The method as recited in claim 53 wherein the first communications link is a link of a PSTN network and the second communications link is a link of at least one of a computer network and the Internet.

55. The method as recited in claim 34 wherein the providing the private communications is performed using a gateway configured for interfacing between a first and a second communications link so as to establish a communications path from the web site to the specific entity in response to a request by the first end user unit for the accessing, the first and the second communications links being of different types.

56. The method as recited in claim 55 wherein the first communications link is a link of a PSTN network and the second communications link is a link of at least one of a computer network and the Internet.

57. The method as recited in claim 34 further comprising providing a user interface to the web site using a client.

58. The method as recited in claim 57 wherein the client is configured for communicating with the web site via a network.

59. The method as recited in claim 34 further comprising providing a second end user unit associated with the specific entity, and wherein the providing the private communications is performed so as to provide the private communications via the second end user unit.

60. A computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable process steps operative to perform a method for providing communications, the method comprising:

providing a web site corresponding to a specific entity and being configured for providing private communications; and

providing, in response to an accessing of the web site, private communications between a first end user unit and the specific entity.

61. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 60 wherein the accessing is an accessing by the first end user unit.

62. The computer readable medium as recited in claim 60 wherein the accessing is an accessing by the specific entity.