System and method for providing enhanced caller ID in a session initiation protocol (SIP) environment

• US 20060120377A1
• Filed: 12/03/2004
• Published: 06/08/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Caballero-McCann, Denise G., Levy, Stephen
• Granted Patent: US 7,656,878 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/395.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1043 Gateway controllers, e.g. media gateway control protocol [MGCP] controllers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1096 Supplementary features, e.g. call forwarding or call holding systems providing special services or facilities to telephony subscribers H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• 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

Abstract

A method for facilitating a data session in an initiation protocol (SIP) environment is provided that includes receiving a solicitation for participation in a SIP communication session that involves a first endpoint and a second endpoint. The method also includes identifying an identity trait associated with the first endpoint. In more particular embodiments, various alternative methods may include generating a network search associated with the first endpoint that is seeking to contact the second endpoint in order to conduct the SIP communication session. The results of the network search may be displayed for the second endpoint.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating a data session in an initiation protocol (SIP) environment, comprising:

receiving a solicitation for participation in a SIP communication session that involves a first endpoint and a second endpoint; and

identifying an identity trait associated with the first endpoint.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a network search associated with the first endpoint that is seeking to contact the second endpoint in order to conduct the SIP communication session.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

displaying the results of the network search for the second endpoint.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

querying a directory for an additional identity trait associated with the first endpoint.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

providing an introductory message associated with the first endpoint for the second endpoint, wherein the introductory message comprises a selected one of a WAV file, an audio message, a video message, and a text message.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

participating in the SIP communication session that involves the first endpoint after reviewing the identity trait.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

inviting one or more additional endpoints to participate in the SIP communication session, wherein one or more additional identity traits associated with the additional endpoints may be provided to the second endpoint.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the identity trait is selected from a group of character traits, the group consisting of:

a) an employee title associated with the first endpoint;

b) a telephone number associated with the first endpoint;

c) an e-mail address associated with the first endpoint;

d) a reporting chain associated with the first endpoint;

e) performance data associated with the first endpoint; and

f) a photograph associated with the first endpoint.

9. An apparatus for communicating data in a session initiation protocol (SIP) environment, comprising:

a first endpoint operable to receive a solicitation for participation in a SIP communication session that involves a first endpoint and a second endpoint, the first endpoint being further operable to identify an identity trait associated with the first endpoint.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first endpoint is further operable to generate a network search associated with the first endpoint that is seeking to contact the second endpoint in order to conduct the SIP communication session.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first endpoint is further operable to display the results of the network search for the second endpoint.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a directory coupled to the first endpoint, wherein the first endpoint is operable to query the directory for an additional identity trait associated with the first endpoint.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first endpoint is further operable to provide an introductory message associated with the first endpoint for the second endpoint, wherein the introductory message comprises a selected one of a WAV file, an audio message, a video message, and a text message.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first endpoint is further operable to participate in the SIP communication session that involves the first endpoint after reviewing the identity trait.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first endpoint is further operable to invite one or more additional endpoints to participate in the SIP communication session, wherein one or more additional identity traits associated with the additional endpoints may be provided to the second endpoint.

16. Software for facilitating a data session in an initiation protocol (SIP) environment, the software being embodied in a computer readable medium and comprising computer code such that when executed is operable to:

receive a solicitation for participation in a SIP communication session that involves a first endpoint and a second endpoint; and

identify an identity trait associated with the first endpoint.

17. The medium of claim 16, wherein the code is further operable to:

generate a network search associated with the first endpoint that is seeking to contact the second endpoint in order to conduct the SIP communication session.

18. The medium of claim 16, wherein the code is further operable to:

display the results of the network search for the second endpoint.

19. The medium of claim 16, wherein the code is further operable to:

query a directory for an additional identity trait associated with the first endpoint.

20. The medium of claim 16, wherein the code is further operable to:

provide an introductory message associated with the first endpoint for the second endpoint, wherein the introductory message comprises a selected one of a WAV file, an audio message, a video message, and a text message.

21. The medium of claim 16, wherein the code is further operable to:

participate in the SIP communication session that involves the first endpoint after reviewing the identity trait.

22. The medium of claim 16, wherein the code is further operable to:

provide an ability for the first endpoint to elect which endpoints can see their information or a subset of their information by using one or more caller preferences.