METHODS AND DEVICES FOR INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF USERS IN A CONVERSATION OVER A COMMUNICATION NETWORK

• US 20110021220A1
• Filed: 09/30/2010
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Skype Ireland Technologies Holdings Limited (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: 3jam, Inc. (Microsoft Corporation)
• Inventors: Chu, Enlai, Jagoe, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,571,587 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/466
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1818 Conference organisation arrangements, e.g. handling schedules, setting up parameters needed by nodes to attend a conference, booking network resources, notifying involved parties
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• 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 2203/5063 Centrally initiated conference, i.e. Conference server dials participants computer conference organisation arrangements H04L12/1818
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/652 Call initiation triggered by text message
• 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

Methods and devices are disclosed for including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network. A conversation is initiated when a text message is received requesting the conversation. A conversation is established using conversation gateways currently unused by users to be included in the conversation. Communication may occur across gateways in order to conserve conversation gateway resources.

Claims

1. A method of establishing a connection between a first cellular telephone user and a second user comprising:

receiving a text message from the first cellular telephone user, the text message including contact information for the second user; and

automatically establishing a voice connection between the first user and the second user in response to the text message.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiving of a text message including contact information for the second user comprises receiving a phone number for the second user.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a Short Message Service text message.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a Multimedia Message Service text message.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a message from a network employing an internet protocol.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a message from a network employing a hypertext transfer protocol.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connecting comprises:

receiving a phone number of the first cellular telephone user in the text message;

calling the phone number of the first cellular telephone user, thereby creating a first call leg;

placing a phone call to the second user, thereby creating a second call leg; and

bridging the first call leg with the second call leg, thereby establishing a call between the first cellular telephone user and the second user.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connecting comprises:

receiving phone numbers of first and second users in the text message;

placing a phone call to the second user, thereby creating a first call leg;

placing a phone call to the first user, thereby creating a second call leg; and

using a conference bridge to bridge the first call leg and the second call leg, thereby connecting the first user and the second user.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the connecting comprises:

contacting the second user; and

causing the second user to place a phone call to the first user.

10. A method of establishing a telephone conference, the method comprising:

receiving a message from an initiator requesting a conference among a selected group of users;

determining phone numbers for users in the selected group;

placing calls to users in the selected group; and

connecting users in the selected group to a conference bridge when users answer the calls.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the receiving comprises receiving Short Message Service text message.

12. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the receiving comprises receiving Multimedia Message Service text message.

13. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a request from a network after the initiator clicks on a Uniform Resource Identifier on a device connected to the network.

14. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the receiving comprises receiving a request from a network after the initiator clicks on a Uniform Resource Locator on a device connected to the network.

15. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the determining comprises receiving phone numbers for users in the selected group as part of the text message requesting the conference.

16. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the determining comprises retrieving pre-determined phone numbers received for the selected group prior to receiving the message requesting the conference.