System and method for distributed communication control within an enterprise

• US 20080222174A1
• Filed: 03/10/2008
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sangoma US, Inc. (Sangoma Technologies Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Fonality Incorporated (Sangoma Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Lyman, Christopher M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,341,535 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/542 Event management; Broadcasting; Multicasting; Notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42314 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42365 Presence services providing information on the willingness to communicate or the ability to communicate in terms of media capability or network connectivity
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4365 based on information specified by the calling party, e.g. priority or subject
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0045 where the text-based messaging service is an instant messaging service

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing distributed call control are provided. In exemplary embodiments, a communication user interface is provided on a client device associated with an individual. The communication user interface comprises a plurality of selectable communication control operations configured to provide control over communications of users within an enterprise. A selection of one of the plurality of communication control operations is received from the individual. Permissions associated with the individual are reviewed to determine if the individual is allowed to perform the communication control operation. If the individual is allowed, the communication control operation is performed. If the individual is not allowed, a denial indicator may be provided.

Claims

1. A method for providing distributed communication control, comprising:

providing a communication user interface to an individual, the communication user interface including a plurality of selectable communication control operations configured to provide control over communications of users within an enterprise;

receiving a selection of one of the plurality of communication control operations from the individual;

reviewing permissions associated with the individual to determine if the individual is allowed to perform the communication control operation;

if the individual is allowed, performing the communication control operation; and

if the individual is not allowed, providing a denial indicator.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the selection comprises receiving a drag operation.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the drag operation comprises a drag between extensions operation.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the selection comprises receiving a record icon selection.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein receiving the selection comprises receiving a barge icon selection.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising establishing the permissions for the individual.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein establishing the permissions comprises utilizing a web-based permissions interface.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing the permissions comprises establishing permissions for a team of which the individual is apart of.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein establishing the permissions comprises establishing permissions for a group of which the individual may have communication control over.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the permissions and updates to the permissions and storing the permissions in a database.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the users within the enterprise comprises local and remote users.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising providing presence status for the users.

13. A system for providing distributed communication control, comprising:

an interface module configured to provide a communication user interface to an individual, the communication user interface including a plurality of selectable communication control operations configured to provide control over communications of users within an enterprise;

a control selection module configured to receiving a selection of one of the plurality of communication control operations from the individual;

a permission look-up module configured to review permissions associated with the individual to determine if the individual is allowed to perform the communication control operation;

an execution module configured to initiate performance of the communication control operation if the individual has permission; and

a message module configured to provide a denial indicator if the individual does not have permission.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising a database configured to store communication control permissions associated with the individual.

15. The system of claim 13 further comprising a permissions interface configured to receive permissions for the individual.

16. The system of claim 13 further comprising a communication initiation module configured to route communications.

17. The system of claim 13 further comprising a presence module configured to provide presence information to a client device.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the users within the enterprise comprises local and remote users.

19. A machine readable medium having embodied thereon a program, the program providing instructions for a method for providing distributed communication control, the method comprising:

providing a communication user interface to an individual, the communication user interface including a plurality of selectable communication control operations configured to provide control over communications of users within an enterprise;

receiving a selection of one of the plurality of communication control operations from the individual;

reviewing permissions associated with the individual to determine if the individual is allowed to perform the communication control operation;

if the individual is allowed, performing the communication control operation; and

if the individual is not allowed, providing a denial indicator.

20. The machine readable medium of claim 19 wherein the users within the enterprise comprises local and remote users.