Short Impromptu Communications In Presence-Based Systems

• US 20100260326A1
• Filed: 04/14/2009
• Published: 10/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Inventors: Mohler, David S., Michaelis, Paul Roller
• Granted Patent: US 8,886,721 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/93.20
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• 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: H04L 67/54 Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2038 Call context notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42374 where the information is provided to a monitoring entity such as a potential calling party or a call processing server
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54

Abstract

An apparatus and methods are disclosed for enabling certain types of communications to occur, even when presence information might indicate that a particular user is unavailable. In the illustrative embodiment, a first user submits a request to communicate with a second user, where the request specifies a maximum time duration for the communication, and optionally: a minimum time duration, an expected time duration, a priority, a subject, and a type of communication. A presence server receives the request and decides whether the request should be granted based on the information specified in the request, and one or both of: presence information for the second user, and the contents of a calendar. The illustrative embodiment is also capable of detecting inconsistencies between calendars and presence information, as well as events that might affect a user'"'"'s presence or indicate a departure from scheduled activities.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a request by a first user to communicate with a second user, wherein said request specifies a maximum time duration; and

determining whether to grant said request based on said maximum time duration and on presence information for said second user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on the contents of a calendar.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said request also specifies a priority, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said priority.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said request also specifies a subject, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said subject.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said request also specifies a minimum time duration, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said minimum time duration.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said request also specifies an expected time duration, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said expected time duration.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said request also specifies a type of communication, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said type of communication.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising, when said request is granted and said second user is involved in a communication session with a third user, terminating said communication session.

9. A method comprising:

receiving a signal that indicates that a second user has completed an activity involving a telecommunications terminal;

updating the contents of a calendar in response to said signal;

receiving a request by a first user to communicate with said second user, wherein said request specifies a maximum time duration; and

determining whether to grant said request based on said maximum time duration and on the updated contents of said calendar.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said signal indicates that said second user has completed a communication session.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said signal indicates that said second user has terminated an application.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said request also specifies a priority, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said priority.

13. The method of claim 9 further comprising, when said request is granted and said second user is involved in a communication session with a third user, terminating said communication session.

14. A method comprising:

receiving a request by a first user to communicate with a second user, wherein said request specifies a maximum time duration; and

determining whether to grant said request based on said maximum time duration and on the contents of a calendar.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said request also specifies a priority, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said priority.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein said request also specifies a subject, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said subject.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said request also specifies a minimum time duration, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said minimum time duration.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein said request also specifies an expected time duration, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said expected time duration.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein said request also specifies a type of communication, and wherein the determination whether to grant said request is also based on said type of communication.

20. The method of claim 14 further comprising, when said request is granted and said second user is involved in a communication session with a third user, terminating said communication session.