Application Programming Interfaces for Communication Systems

• US 20090106676A1
• Filed: 07/25/2008
• Published: 04/23/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Xobni Corp. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Duffy, Gregory, Smith, Adam, Brezina, Matthew
• Granted Patent: US 10,069,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/763
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24575 using context
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/38 Retrieval characterised by using metadata, e.g. metadata not derived from the content or metadata generated manually
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9577 Optimising the visualization of content, e.g. distillation of HTML documents
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/048 Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
• 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 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0484 for the control of specific functions or operations, e.g. selecting or manipulating an object, an image or a displayed text element, setting a parameter value or selecting a range
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/14 Tree-structured documents parsing G06F40/205; validation G06F40/226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/44 Augmented, consolidated or itemized billing statement or bill presentation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/58 : based on statistics of usage or network monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/745 : Customizing according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. friends or family
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0104 : Augmented, consolidated or itemised billing statement, e.g. additional billing information, bill presentation, layout, format, e-mail, fax, printout, itemised bill per service or per account, cumulative billing, consolidated billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0108 : Customization according to wishes of subscriber, e.g. customer preferences, friends and family, selecting services or billing options, Personal Communication Systems [PCS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0188 : Network monitoring; statistics on usage on called/calling number
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic

Abstract

Among other disclosures, a method may include receiving a trigger identifying a person associated with a communication, the communication being transmitted by a communication application. The method may include retrieving information relating to the person. The method may include providing the information to an interface associated with the communication application.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:

Receiving a trigger identifying a person associated with a communication, the communication being transmitted by a communication application;

Retrieving information relating to the person; and

Providing the information to an interface associated with the communication application.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the interface includes both presentation functionality and logic functionality.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 2, wherein the presentation functionality is implemented using HTML and the logic functionality is implemented using javascript.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the interface is configured to associate with a plurality of communication applications.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, wherein the interface is a stand alone application associated with the communication application;

and

The interface is configured to transmit information relating to the communication application to other applications.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

Generating a graphic display incorporating the provided information; and

Incorporating one or more predefined styled display elements into the graphic display.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

Generating one or more graphic displays incorporating the provided information; and

Allowing a user to determine a visual layout for the one or more graphic displays.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

Defining access requirements for retrieving information relating to the person.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

Checking for software updates; and

Installing any new software updates.

10. A computer-implemented method comprising

Receiving a selection identifying a person associated with a communication, the communication being transmitted by a communication application;

Providing a prompt to an information source separate from the communication application identifying the person; and

Receiving information relating to the person.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising:

restricting access requirements for the information source.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising:

Generating a graphic display incorporating the provided information; and

wherein

The receiving and providing steps are implemented using a logic functionality and the generating step is implemented using a presentation functionality.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 12, wherein the presentation functionality is implemented using HTML and the logic functionality is implemented using javascript.

14. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising:

Generating one or more graphic displays incorporating the received information; and

Allowing a user to determine a visual layout for the one or more graphic displays.

15. A computer-implemented method comprising:

Receiving a trigger identifying an entity associated with a communication, the communication being transmitted by a communication application;

Retrieving information relating to the entity; and

Providing the information to an interface associated with the communication application.

16. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the entity is selected from the group comprising persons, communications, conversation threads, attachments, files, and meeting requests.

17. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, further comprising:

Generating a one or more graphic displays incorporating the provided information; and

Allowing a user to determine a visual layout for the one or more graphic displays.

18. The computer-implemented method of claim 17, wherein the allowing step further includes allowing the user to determine distinct visual layouts for different types of entities.

19. The computer-implemented method of claim 15, wherein the interface is configured to associate with a plurality of communication applications.