System and method for establishing a call

• US 20050286498A1
• Filed: 05/27/2005
• Published: 12/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: First Media Group Incorporated (First Media Group)
• Original Assignee: Voice Courier Mobile Inc.
• Inventors: Blair, John, Brown, Jim, Knight, Anthony, Smith, Chris, Rand, Tom, Wright, Evan
• Granted Patent: US 8,891,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/652 Call initiation triggered by text message
• 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 7/1205 where the types of switching equipement comprises PSTN/ISDN equipment and switching equipment of networks other than PSTN/ISDN, e.g. Internet Protocol networks

Abstract

A system and method for providing a voice communication service between a first user and a second user after the first user and the second user are communicating via a non-voice communication service is described. The non-voice communication service may be processed through a server in communication with the first and second users. The non-voice communication service is monitored for a voice service request, and upon receipt of the voice service request, establishment of a voice communication service is initiated between the first and second users through the server. The first and second users may be anonymous to each other over the non-voice communication service and the voice communication service.

Claims

1. A method for providing a voice communication service between a first user and a second user after said first user and said second user are communicating via a non-voice communication service, the non-voice communication service being processed through a server in communication with said first and second users, said method comprising the steps of:

monitoring for a voice service request; and

upon receipt of said voice service request, selectively initiating establishment of said voice communication service between said first and second users through said server.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of selectively initiating establishment of said voice communication service further comprises:

identifying said first and second users by said server using data transmitted by said first and second users over said non-voice communication service; and

identifying contact information for said first and second users for said voice service request utilizing said data.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein said step of initiating establishment of said voice communication service comprises:

initiating a first connection by said server to said first user using the contact information associated with said first user;

initiating a second connection by said server to said second user using the contact information associated with said second user; and

bridging said first and second connections to complete said initiating establishment of said voice communication service.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein said step of selectively initiating establishment of said voice communication service comprises:

contacting at least one of said first and second users over said non-voice communication service for a confirmation of acceptance of said voice service request;

monitoring for said confirmation; and

upon receipt of said confirmation, initiating establishment of said voice communication service.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said confirmation from said at least one of said first and second users include alternate contact information, said alternate contact information being used by said server in initiating establishment of said voice communication service instead of said contact information.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein said non-voice communication service provides transmission of a SMS message.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein said voice service request is embedded in said SMS message.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said first and second connections are initiated by said server in a voice-enabled network.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein said voice enabled network is selected from the group consisting of ISDN, PSTN, PBX, ATM, packet-based circuits and cellular network.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of selectively initiating establishment of said voice communication service further comprises:

checking for access rights of at least one of said first and second users.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of selectively initiating establishment of said voice communication service further comprises:

checking for compatibility between said first and second users.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein said step of selectively initiating establishment of said voice communication service comprises:

contacting said first user over said non-voice communication service to provide first contact information to enable said first user to initiate a first voice connection to said server;

contacting said second user over said non-voice communication service to provide second contact information to enable said second user to initiate a second voice connection to said server;

monitoring for said first and second voice connections at said server; and

upon receiving said first and second voice connections, bridging said first and second voice connections to establish said voice communication service.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said non-voice communication service provides transmission of a SMS message, and said voice service request is embedded in said SMS message.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein said first and second voice connections are initiated by said first and second users in a voice-enabled network.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein said voice enabled network is selected from the group consisting of ISDN, PSTN, PBX, ATM, packet-based circuits and cellular network.