Background processing deferment for computer telephony

• US 6,983,301 B1
• Filed: 02/02/2000
• Issued: 01/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unify Inc. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Communications Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Carter, George E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barot, Bharat
• Application Number:
  US09/497,279
• Time in Patent Office: 2,162 Days
• Field of Search: 709226-228, 709200-202, 709/238, 370351-352, 37920101-20104, 379/88.17, 379/93.23, 379/265.09
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1083 In-session procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display

Abstract

Techniques for improving the audio of computer telephony calls are provided. The execution of background computer processes can be deferred during computer telephony calls so that the background processes will not take up processing resources and thereby reduce the audio quality. Additionally, background processes can be resumed if there have not been any computer telephony calls made or received for a specific amount of time.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method of processing a computer telephony call, comprising:

deferring execution of at least one background process, the background process being a process that is not under immediate interactive control of a user;

processing a computer telephony call;

generating a log of background processes that execute during computer telephony calls; and

displaying the log to a user for analysis.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein deferring execution of at least one background process is performed when a computer telephony application is executed.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein deferring execution of at least one background process is performed before making or receiving a computer telephony call.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein deferring execution of at least one background process is performed during the computer telephony call.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein deferring execution of at least one background process includes:

accessing an inhibit list that lists background processes; and

deferring execution of the background processes on the inhibit list.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the inhibit list includes information regarding deferring execution of each background process on the inhibit list.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising enabling execution of background processes if there have not been any computer telephony calls for a predetermined time.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein enabling execution of background processes includes:

accessing an uninhibit list that lists background processes; and

enabling execution of the background processes on the uninhibit list.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the uninhibit list includes information regarding enabling execution of each background process on the uninhibit list.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

identifying a background process on the log; and

adding the background process to the background processes that will have their execution deferred.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling execution of background processes if there have not been any computer telephony calls for a predetermined time.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein deferring execution of at least one background process is performed when a computer telephony application is executed.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein deferring execution of at least one background process is performed before making or receiving a computer telephony call.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein deferring execution of at least one background process is performed during the computer telephony call.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein deferring execution of at least one background process includes:

accessing an inhibit list that lists background processes; and

deferring execution of the background processes on the inhibit list.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the inhibit list includes information regarding deferring execution of each background process on the inhibit list.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein enabling execution of background processes includes:

accessing an uninhibit list that lists background processes; and

enabling execution of the background processes on the uninhibit list.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the uninhibit list includes information regarding enabling execution of each background process on the uninhibit list.

19. A computer program product that processes a computer telephony call, comprising:

computer code that defers execution of at least one background process, the at least one background process being a process that is not under immediate interactive control of a user;

computer code that processes a computer telephony call;

computer code that generates a log of background processes that execute during computer telephony calls;

computer code that displays the log a to a user for analysis; and

a computer readable medium that stores the computer codes.

20. The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the computer readable medium is a CD-ROM, floppy disk, tape, flash memory, system memory, hard drive, or a data signal embodied in a carrier wave.

21. A system, comprising:

a processor; and

a computer readable medium storing a computer program including computer code that defers execution of at least one background process;

computer code that processes a computer telephony call;

computer code that generates a log of background processes that execute during computer telephony calls; and

computer code that displays the log a to a user for analysis.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the computer readable medium is a CD-ROM, floppy disk, tape, flash memory, system memory, hard drive, or a data signal embodied in a carrier wave.