METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING CONTEXT BASED MULTIMEDIA INTERCOM SERVICES

• US 20120093303A1
• Filed: 10/13/2010
• Published: 04/19/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Schultz, Paul T.
• Granted Patent: US 9,065,927 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/159
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location

Abstract

An approach is provided for performing context based multi-modal intercom sessions. A control signal to invoke an intercom service between two or more communication devices is received. Context information associated with one or more of the communication devices is determined. An intercom mode communication session among the communication devices is established. The context information is used to customize the intercom service for one or more of the communication devices.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

detecting a control signal to invoke an intercom service;

determining context information associated with one or more communication devices among a plurality of communication devices; and

initiating establishment of an intercom mode communication session among the plurality of communication devices based on the context information,

wherein the context information is used to customize the intercom service for the one or more of the communication devices.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the control signal is generated by one of the communication devices, and the context information is associated with the one communication device, the method further comprising:

determining whether the one communication device requires the intercom mode communication session to be speech-based, video-based, or temporarily text-based using the context information.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the communication devices is automatically activated, without user intervention, to participate in the intercom mode communication session.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the context information specifies,

location of the one or more communication devices,

presence information of the one or more communication devices,

information relating to an activity engaged in by one or more users associated respectively with the one or more communication devices,

scheduling information relating to when the intercom service can be activated for the one or more communication devices, or

a combination thereof.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving user input via a portal specifying one or more parameters of the context information.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the one or more communication devices include a mobile device that provides hands-free operation when engaged in the intercom mode communication session.

7. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

detect a control signal to invoke an intercom service,

determine context information associated with one or more communication devices among a plurality of communication devices, and

initiate establishment of an intercom mode communication session among the plurality of communication devices based on the context information,

wherein the context information is used to customize the intercom service for the one or more of the communication devices.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the control signal is generated by one of the communication devices, and the context information is associated with the one communication device, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine whether the one communication device requires the intercom mode communication session to be speech-based, video-based, or temporarily text-based using the context information.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the communication devices is automatically activated, without user intervention, to participate in the intercom mode communication session.

10. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the context information specifies,

location of the one or more communication devices,

presence information of the one or more communication devices,

information relating to an activity engaged in by one or more users associated respectively with the one or more communication devices,

scheduling information relating to when the intercom service can be activated for the one or more communication devices, or

a combination thereof.

11. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

receive user input via a portal specifying one or more parameters of the context information.

12. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the one or more communication devices include a mobile device that provides hands-free operation when engaged in the intercom mode communication session.

13. A method comprising:

receiving a request to subscribe to an intercom service for a user;

designating, in response to the request, one or more communication devices associated with the user to activate for the intercom service; and

defining context information for invoking an intercom mode communication session to be established using the one or more communication devices.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the communication devices is automatically activated, without user intervention, to participate in the intercom mode communication session.

15. A method according to claim 13, wherein the context information specifies,

location of the one or more communication devices,

presence information of the one or more communication devices,

information relating to an activity engaged in by one or more users associated respectively with the one or more communication devices,

scheduling information relating to when the intercom service can be activated for the one or more communication devices, or

a combination thereof.

16. A method according to claim 13, further comprising:

receiving user input via a portal specifying one or more parameters of the context information.

17. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code for one or more programs,

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following,

receive a request to subscribe to an intercom service for a user,

designate, in response to the request, one or more communication devices associated with the user to activate for the intercom service, and

define context information for invoking an intercom mode communication session to be established using the one or more communication devices.

18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein at least one of the communication devices is automatically activated, without user intervention, to participate in the intercom mode communication session.

19. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the context information specifies,

location of the one or more communication devices,

presence information of the one or more communication devices,

information relating to an activity engaged in by one or more users associated respectively with the one or more communication devices,

scheduling information relating to when the intercom service can be activated for the one or more communication devices, or

a combination thereof.

20. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

receiving user input via a portal specifying one or more parameters of the context information.