Real-Time Communications Architecture And Methods For Use With A Personal Computer System
First Claim
1. In a computing environment, a method for automatically switching a call from a communication device that is being used in a call to a different communications device, the method comprising:
- a call management module receiving a call from an initiating communication device, the call directed to an identifier associated with a call participant;
the call management module establishing a connection to a first recipient communication device associated with the call participant;
the call management module coupling the received call from the initiating communication device to the first recipient communication device over the established connection to the first recipient communication device;
the call management module receiving an indication from the call participant indicating that continuation of the call is to be transitioned from the first recipient communication device to a second recipient communication device associated with the call participant;
in response to the received indication, the call management module automatically establishing a connection to the second recipient communication device while the call remains coupled between the initiating and first recipient communication devices;
the call management module automatically transitioning the coupling of the received call from the initiating communication device to the second recipient communication device over the established connection to the second recipient communication device independent of the communication network the communication devices use such that the call participant can participate in the call using the second recipient communication device; and
the call management module automatically decoupling the call from the first recipient communication device subsequent to transitioning the coupling of the call to the second recipient communication device.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system and method for improved real-time communications in a computer system that eliminates the distinctions between various communication devices, communication channels and types of communication, including voice, text and video, is provided. When connected for communication, the user may easily move between modalities, including switching devices on which the user is communicating, switching networks, and transitioning between types of communication. A computer system includes various integrated communications-related devices, and a controller controls those devices based on user actions entered via buttons or user interface software and provides notifications to the user. The user is able to input data via any appropriate input mechanism, and receive data on any suitable output mechanism. Improved non-linear caller ID navigation is also provided.
-
Citations
20 Claims
-
1. In a computing environment, a method for automatically switching a call from a communication device that is being used in a call to a different communications device, the method comprising:
-
a call management module receiving a call from an initiating communication device, the call directed to an identifier associated with a call participant;
the call management module establishing a connection to a first recipient communication device associated with the call participant;
the call management module coupling the received call from the initiating communication device to the first recipient communication device over the established connection to the first recipient communication device;
the call management module receiving an indication from the call participant indicating that continuation of the call is to be transitioned from the first recipient communication device to a second recipient communication device associated with the call participant;
in response to the received indication, the call management module automatically establishing a connection to the second recipient communication device while the call remains coupled between the initiating and first recipient communication devices;
the call management module automatically transitioning the coupling of the received call from the initiating communication device to the second recipient communication device over the established connection to the second recipient communication device independent of the communication network the communication devices use such that the call participant can participate in the call using the second recipient communication device; and
the call management module automatically decoupling the call from the first recipient communication device subsequent to transitioning the coupling of the call to the second recipient communication device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
-
-
16. A computer system including an initiating communication device, a call management module and at least one recipient communication device, the system for automatically switching a call from a communication device that is being used in a call to a different communications device, the system comprising a call management module configured to:
-
receive a call from an initiating communication device, the call directed to an identifier associated with a call participant;
establish a connection to a first recipient communication device associated with the call participant;
couple the received call from the initiating communication device to the first recipient communication device over the established connection to the first recipient communication device;
receive an indication from the call participant indicating that continuation of the call is to be transitioned from the first recipient communication device to a second recipient communication device associated with the call participant;
in response to the received indication, automatically establish a connection to the second recipient communication device while the call remains coupled between the initiating and first recipient communication devices;
automatically transition the coupling of the received call from the initiating communication device to the second recipient communication device over the established connection to the second recipient communication device independent of the communication network the communication devices use such that the call participant can participate in the call using the second recipient communication device; and
automatically decouple the call from the first recipient communication device subsequent to transitioning the coupling of the call to the second recipient communication device. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
-
Specification