Voice conference control from an instant messaging session using an automated agent

• US 20080043986A1
• Filed: 07/28/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arlington Technologies, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Ubiquity Software Corp. (Avaya Incorporated)
• Inventors: Darby, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 8,139,752 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/265.09
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/652 Call initiation triggered by text message
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

Abstract

A system and method for using one communication mode, such as instant messaging, to initiate and manage an alternative communication mode conversation. In one exemplary embodiment, an automated agent transfers conversation participants from an instant messaging conversation to a voice conversation by accepting an instant message command from a conference organizer and interacting with a voice conversation platform to call the instant messaging conversation participants on the telephone. One or more conversation participants can manipulate the conversation via commands to the automated agent using the first communication mode.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

an automated agent, wherein the automated agent is adapted to interact with one or more users of a plurality of users communicating electronically using a first communication mode and to facilitate an alternative communication mode conversation for use by two or more users of the plurality of users.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the automated agent interfaces with a first communication mode platform and an alternative communication mode platform.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the alternative communication mode platform comprises one or more of an audio platform and a video platform.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the alternative communication mode platform interfaces with a mixer.

5. The system of claim 2 further comprising a mixer interfaced with the alternative communication mode platform.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the automated agent facilitates the alternative communication mode conversation based on commands from the one or more users, wherein the commands are sent using the first communication mode.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the first communication mode is instant messaging.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the automated agent is server based.

9. A system for facilitating an alternative communication mode, said system comprising:

an automated agent adapted to interface with one or more IM protocols, wherein the automated agent is adapted to interact with one or more users communicating using IM and to initiate and manage an alternative communication mode conversation for two or more of the IM users via an alternative communication mode platform.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the automated agent accepts commands from one or more of the users via the first communication mode to initiate and manage the alternative communication mode conversation.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the automated agent is adapted to obtain contact information from the IM users.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein the automated agent gathers data about the alternative mode conversations.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein the alternative communication mode platform comprises one or more of an audio platform and a video platform.

14. A system for facilitating an alternative communication mode, comprising:

a first communication mode platform for use by electronic communication users;

an alternative communication mode platform; and

means for interfacing the alternative communication mode platform to initiate and manage an alternative communication mode conversation via input from one or more of the users using the first communication mode platform.

15. The system of claim 14 further comprising a mixer interfaced with the alternative communication mode platform.

16. A method for facilitating communication in an alternative communication mode, said mode comprising:

communicating in a first communication mode, wherein the first communication mode is electronic;

initiating an alternative communication mode conversation by way of an instruction to an automated agent, wherein the instruction is made using the first communication mode;

managing the alternative communication mode conversation via instructions to the automated agent, wherein the instructions are made using the first communication mode.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising gathering and storing, by the automated agent, data about the alternative mode conversations.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising screening, by the automated agent, users for authorized use of the automated agent.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising storing, by the automated agent, information about recurring conversations for quick conversation initiation.

20. The method of claim 16, further comprising manipulating the alternative communication mode conversation using a mixer.