System and method for providing a presence based eCamp-On feature in a communications environment

• US 20060268698A1
• Filed: 05/03/2005
• Published: 11/30/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Patel, Labhesh, Shaffer, Shmuel
• Granted Patent: US 7,684,434 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/230
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066

Abstract

A method for facilitating a data session in a communications environment is provided that includes initiating, by a first endpoint, a call that is intended for a second endpoint. The method also includes invoking, by the first endpoint, an eCamp-On™ feature in response to the second endpoint being unavailable. The eCamp-On™ feature initiates a new call between the first and second endpoints once the second endpoint is available. Presence data associated with the first endpoint may be leveraged in order to make the new call.

Claims

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

initiating, by a first endpoint, a call that is intended for a second endpoint;

invoking, by the first endpoint, an camp-on feature in response to the second endpoint being unavailable, wherein the camp-on feature initiates a new call between the first and second endpoints once the second endpoint is available; and

leveraging presence data associated with the first endpoint in order to make the new call.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second endpoint is operable to recognize that the first endpoint is seeking to contact the first endpoint in order to execute the new call.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the presence data is user configurable, and wherein the presence data can be collected and utilized autonomously.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the presence data includes scheduling information associated with an end user of the first endpoint.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the presence data prescribes different protocols, for contacting the first endpoint, for different individuals.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first endpoint can change modalities such that when the new call is placed, the change in modalities is recognized in order for an end user of the first endpoint to receive information in a proper communication medium.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the presence data is associated with 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.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

prompting the second endpoint to utilize the presence data in order to complete the new call.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein utilizing a presence based camp-on feature is invoked via a button provided at the second endpoint.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein utilizing a presence based camp-on feature is invoked via a soft button using software that comprises a menu.

11. A method for facilitating a data session in a communications environment, comprising:

executing an camp-on feature, which was triggered by a first endpoint, in response to a second endpoint being unavailable, wherein the camp-on feature initiates a new call between the first and second endpoints once the second endpoint is available; and

utilizing presence data associated with the first endpoint in order to coordinate the new call.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

maintaining the presence data, wherein the presence data is user configurable, and wherein the presence data can be collected and utilized autonomously.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the presence data includes scheduling information associated with an end user of the first endpoint.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the presence data prescribes different protocols, for contacting the first endpoint, for different individuals.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the first endpoint can change modalities such that when the new call is placed, the change in modalities is recognized in order for an end user of the first endpoint to receive information in a proper communication medium.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

prompting the second endpoint to utilize the presence data in order to complete the new call.

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

accessing a presence server in order to gather the presence data associated with either of the endpoints.

18. An apparatus for facilitating a data session in a communications environment, comprising:

a communications platform operable to execute an camp-on feature, which was triggered by a first endpoint, in response to a second endpoint being unavailable, wherein the camp-on feature initiates a new call between the first and second endpoints once the second endpoint is available, and wherein the communications platform is further operable to utilize presence data associated with the first endpoint in order to coordinate the new call.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the communications platform is further operable to manage the presence data, and wherein the presence data is user configurable.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the presence data includes scheduling information associated with an end user of the first endpoint.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the presence data prescribes different protocols, for contacting the first endpoint, for different individuals.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first endpoint can change modalities such that when the new call is placed, the change in modalities is recognized in order for an end user of the first endpoint to receive information in a proper communication medium.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the communications platform is further operable to prompt the second endpoint to utilize the presence data in order to complete the new call.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising:

a presence server coupled to the communications platform, wherein the communications platform is operable to access the presence server in order to gather the presence data associated with either of the endpoints.

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

execute an camp-on feature, which was triggered by a first endpoint, in response to a second endpoint being unavailable, wherein the eCamp camp-on feature initiates a new call between the first and second endpoints once the second endpoint is available; and

utilize presence data associated with the first endpoint in order to coordinate the new call.

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

maintain the presence data, wherein the presence data is user configurable.

27. The medium of claim 25, wherein the presence data includes scheduling information associated with an end user of the first endpoint.

28. The medium of claim 25, wherein the presence data prescribes different protocols, for contacting the first endpoint, for different individuals.

29. The medium of claim 25, wherein the presence data is collected and utilized autonomously.

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

prompt the second endpoint to utilize the presence data in order to complete the new call.

31. A system for facilitating a data session in a communications environment, comprising:

means for executing an camp-on feature, which was triggered by a first endpoint, in response to a second endpoint being unavailable, wherein the camp-on feature initiates a new call between the first and second endpoints once the second endpoint is available; and

means for utilizing presence data associated with the first endpoint in order to coordinate the new call.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

means for maintaining the presence data, wherein the presence data is user configurable.

33. The system of claim 31, wherein the presence data includes scheduling information associated with an end user of the first endpoint.

34. The system of claim 31, wherein the presence data prescribes different protocols, for contacting the first endpoint, for different individuals.

35. The system of claim 31, wherein the presence data is collected and utilized autonomously.

36. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

means for prompting the second endpoint to utilize the presence data in order to complete the new call.

37. The system of claim 31, further comprising:

means for accessing a presence server in order to gather the presence data associated with either of the endpoints.