System and method for providing an eCamp feature in a session initiation protocol (SIP) environment

• US 20060165058A1
• Filed: 11/19/2004
• Published: 07/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2004
• 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, Pirzada, Shamim S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,853,696 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4535 using an address exchange platform which sets up a session between two nodes, e.g. rendezvous servers, session initiation protocols [SIP] registrars or H.323 gatekeepers
• 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: 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: H04M 3/42374 where the information is provided to a monitoring entity such as a potential calling party or a call processing server
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/48 Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy

Abstract

A method for facilitating a data session in a session protocol environment is provided that includes identifying a first endpoint and receiving a status indicator as to whether the first endpoint is available to participate in a communication session that involves the first endpoint and a second endpoint. In a more particular embodiment, the first endpoint is operable to recognize that the second endpoint is seeking to contact the first endpoint in order to conduct the communication session.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating a data session in a session protocol environment, comprising:

identifying a first endpoint; and

receiving a status indicator as to whether the first endpoint is available to participate in a communication session that involves the first endpoint and a second endpoint.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first endpoint is operable to recognize that the second endpoint is seeking to contact the first endpoint in order to conduct the communication session.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an additional status indicator associated with whether or not a third endpoint is available to join the communication session.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

designating a priority value for the first endpoint, wherein the priority value is used to determine which one of a plurality of endpoints should be contacted before contacting one or more of the other endpoints.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

setting a timer associated with the first endpoint such that the second endpoint may be notified as to an availability of the first endpoint when the timer expires.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing an automatic dial function for the second endpoint such that when the first endpoint is available for the communication session, the dial function initiates contact with the first endpoint.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

aggregating one or more data sets associated with one or more status indicators associated with a plurality of endpoints, wherein one or more of the status indicators may be displayed to the second endpoint.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein one or more of the data sets correspond to a group of individuals that share a common character trait, and wherein the status indicators of the endpoints are displayed to the second endpoint.

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

a first endpoint operable to identify a second endpoint associated with an individual, wherein the first endpoint is further operable to receive a status indicator as to whether the second endpoint is available to participate in a SIP communication session that involves the first endpoint and a second endpoint.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the second endpoint is operable to recognize that the first endpoint is seeking to contact the second endpoint in order to conduct the SIP communication session.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first endpoint is further operable to receive an additional status indicator associated with whether or not a third endpoint is available to join the SIP communication session.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first endpoint is further operable to designate a priority value to the first endpoint, and wherein the priority value is used to determine which one of a plurality of endpoints should be contacted before contacting one or more of the other endpoints.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first endpoint is a selected one of a group of devices, the group consisting of:

a) a personal computer;

b) a laptop;

c) a personal digital assistant;

d) an Internet protocol (IP) telephone;

e) a standard telephone; and

f) a mobile telephone.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first endpoint is further operable to set a timer associated with the second endpoint such that the first endpoint may be notified as to an availability of the second endpoint when the timer expires.

15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first endpoint is further operable to initiate an automatic dial function for the second endpoint such that when the second endpoint is available for the SIP communication session, the dial function initiates contact with the second endpoint.

16. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the status indicator is a selected one of a group of conditions, the group consisting of:

a) an away status associated with an individual associated with the second endpoint;

b) an off-hook status associated with an individual associated with the second endpoint;

c) an on-hook status associated with an individual associated with the second endpoint;

d) a vacation status associated with an individual associated with the second endpoint;

e) an out of the office status associated with an individual associated with the second endpoint;

f) an absence status associated with an individual associated with the second endpoint;

g) a status that indicates the second endpoint is using a personal computer or a laptop computer;

h) a status that indicates the second endpoint is using a wireless telephone; and

i) a status that indicates the second endpoint is connected to a network.

17. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising:

a presence server operable to aggregate one or more data sets associated with one or more status indicators associated with a plurality of endpoints, wherein one or more of the status indicators may be displayed to the first endpoint.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein one or more of the data sets correspond to a group of individuals that share a common character trait, and wherein the status indicators of the endpoints are displayed to the first endpoint.

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

identify a first endpoint; and

receive a status indicator as to whether the first endpoint is available to participate in a communication session that involves the first endpoint and a second endpoint.

20. The medium of claim 19, wherein the first endpoint is operable to recognize that the second endpoint is seeking to contact the first endpoint in order to conduct the communication session.

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

receive an additional status indicator associated with whether or not a third endpoint is available to join the communication session.

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

designate a priority value for the first endpoint, wherein the priority value is used to determine which one of a plurality of endpoints should be contacted before contacting one or more of the other endpoints.

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

set a timer associated with the first endpoint such that the second endpoint may be notified as to an availability of the first endpoint when the timer expires.

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

provide an automatic dial function for the second endpoint such that when the first endpoint is available for the communication session, the dial function initiates contact with the first endpoint.

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

aggregate one or more data sets associated with one or more status indicators associated with a plurality of endpoints, wherein one or more of the status indicators may be displayed to the second endpoint.

26. The medium of claim 25, wherein one or more of the data sets correspond to a group of individuals that share a common character trait, and wherein the status indicators of the endpoints are displayed to the second endpoint.

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

implement one or more preferences of an end user associated with the second endpoint, the one or more preferences reflecting one or more elections of the end user associated with a selected one of a persona and a mode of communication.