System and Method for Random Voice Communications Through a Social Network

• US 20090259970A1
• Filed: 04/15/2008
• Published: 10/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hawkins, Johnny D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,239,999 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/810
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1053 IP private branch exchange [PBX] functionality entities or arrangements circuit switched PBXs H04M3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/403 Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences data switching systems for conference H04L12/18; arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities H04M3/56; television conferencing systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• 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 establishing voice connections between users of a social network. User access is granted to a social network through a VoIP phone. The social network is navigated based on user input. The user is directly connected to a second user randomly for voice communications based on an authorization.

Claims

1. A method for establishing voice connections between users of a social network, the method comprising:

granting a user access to a social network through a VoIP phone;

navigating the social network based on user input; and

directly connecting the user to a second user randomly for voice communications based on an authorization.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

linking the user to one of a plurality of connection rooms based on user input, the connection room including one, or more users simultaneously carrying on voice communications;

displaying a graphical representation of the connection room to the VoIP phone including an avatar for the one or more users carrying on a voice communication in the connection room; and

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the linking is performed based on a user profile.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

masking the voice of the user in response to a selection.

5. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

highlighting the avatars of the one, or more users when the one, or more users is speaking.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein directly connecting further comprises:

directly connecting the first user to the second user based on the second user accepting an invitation from the first user.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the connection room is established utilizing a call bridge.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

preventing caller identification information from being viewed in the connection room and the direct connection to the second user.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving user input to configure the user profile, wherein the user profiles specifies preferred connection rooms, interests, and user information.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

integrating the connection rooms with an existing social network.

11. A communications management system configured to manage voice communications through a social network, the system comprising:

a connection coordinator configured to randomly connect a first user to a second user in response to a user request; and

a user interface configured to display a graphical representation of connection rooms and avatars of other users, wherein the user interface displays a menu for receiving user selections and allowing users to navigate the social network.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein the connection coordinator is configured to grant users access to one of the connection rooms.

13. The system according to claim 11, wherein the user interface directly connects the first user to the second user based on the second user indicating availability to be randomly connected.

14. The system according to claim 11, wherein the connection coordinator is configured to prevent caller identification information from being viewed in the connection room and a random connection to the second user, and wherein the connection coordinator masks a voice of the first user or the second user in response to user input.

15. The system according to claim 11, wherein the communications management system is one or more servers hosting the social network, wherein the random connection is made based on a user profile, and wherein the user profiles specifies preferred connection rooms, interests, and user information.

16. A communications management system for managing voice communications comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are configured to grant a user access to a social network through a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) phone, link the user to one of a plurality of connection rooms based on user input, the connection room including one, or more users carrying on voice communications, display a graphical representation of the connection room to the VoIP phone including an avatar for the one, or more users carrying on a voice communication in the connection room, and directly connect the user to a second user randomly based on an authorization.

17. The communications management system according to claim 16, wherein the set of instructions directly connects the first user to the second user randomly based on the second user indicating availability to be randomly connected and a topic for discussion.

18. The communications management system according to claim 16, wherein the set of instructions is configured to prevent caller identification information from being viewed in the connection room and a random connection to the second user and masks a voice of the first user or the second user in response to user input.

19. The communications management system according to claim 16, wherein the set of instructions makes a random connection between the first user and one or more other user based on similarities of each of their user profiles, and wherein the user profiles specifies preferred connection rooms, interests, and user information.

20. The communications management system according to claim 16, wherein the set of instructions links the user to one of a plurality of connection rooms based on the user input, the connection room including one, or more users simultaneously carrying on voice communications.