Presence information specifying communication preferences

• US 7,035,923 B1
• Filed: 04/10/2002
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/10/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Yoakum, John H., Christie, Samuel H. IV, McKinnon, Steve J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Philip B.
• Application Number:
  US10/119,783
• Time in Patent Office: 1,476 Days
• Field of Search: 709/224, 709/223, 709/226, 709217-219, 709/203, 379/93.01, 379/106.01
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• 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: H04L 69/24 Negotiation of communication capabilities

Abstract

The present invention provides a presence system capable of monitoring state information, communication capabilities, or a combination thereof derived from a plurality of sources over any number of disparate networks. The state information bears on the presence or availability of the user and may take many forms. The communication capabilities relate to a potential method by which one can communicate with the user. Based on a profile provided by the user, the presence system evaluates the state information or communication capabilities from one or more sources to create presence information, including a preferred method or a prioritized list of methods by which to communicate with the user. The presence information is then delivered to subscribers of the presence information.

Claims

1. A method for providing information bearing on how a subscriber should communicate with a user comprising:

a) receiving state information bearing on availability of the user from a plurality of devices;

b) determining communication capabilities of the user;

c) evaluating the state information and the communication capabilities to create presence information identifying a preferred method for the subscriber to communicate with the user and identifying a prioritized list of methods for the subscriber to communicate with the user, the prioritized list including the preferred method for the subscriber to communicate with the user;

d) sending the presence information to a presence application associated with the subscriber;

e) evaluating the state information and the communication capabilities with a plurality of presence rules to create the presence information for each of a plurality of categories associated with a plurality of subscribers; and

f) sending the presence information to a plurality of presence applications, which are associated with the plurality of categories,

wherein different views of presence for the user are created and delivered to the presence applications based on the associated categories.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication capabilities of the user are determined by accessing a database identifying methods of communicating with one or more communication devices of the user.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication capabilities of the user are determined by receiving information identifying at least one method of communicating with the user from at least one communication device associated with the user.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication capabilities of the user are determined by receiving information identifying at least one method of communicating with the user from the user via at least one communication device associated with the user.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

a) receiving a profile from the user; and

b) generating the plurality of presence rules for each of the plurality of categories based on the profile, wherein the presence rules define how to evaluate the state information and the communication capabilities to create the presence information for each of the plurality of categories.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the state information stems from an interaction with the plurality of devices by the user during traditional use of the device without regard to generating the state information.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

a) receiving a request from the presence application to receive the presence information for the user; and

b) authorizing delivery of the presence information to the presence application.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

a) determining initial presence information based on initial state information for the plurality of devices and initial communication capabilities of the user; and

b) delivering the initial presence information for the user to the presence application upon authorizing delivery of the presence information.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising registering the plurality of devices or systems associated therewith to facilitate reception of the state information and information bearing on communication capabilities of the user.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the state information for at least one of the plurality of devices includes location information associated with the at least one of the devices.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the plurality of devices is associated with a plurality of disparate networks.

12. A system for providing information bearing on how a subscriber should communicate with a user comprising:

a) a packet-switched network; and

b) a control system operatively associated with the packet-switched network and adapted to;

i) receive state information bearing on availability of the user from a plurality of devices;

ii) determine communication capabilities of the user;

iii) evaluate the state information and the communication capabilities to create presence information identifying a preferred method for the subscriber to communicate with the user and identifying a prioritized list of methods for the subscriber to communicate with the user, the prioritized list including the preferred method for the subscriber to communicate with the user;

iv) send the presence information to a presence application associated with the subscriber;

v) evaluate the state information and the communication capabilities with a plurality of presence rules to create the presence information for each of a plurality of categories associated with a plurality of subscribers; and

vi) send the presence information to a plurality of presence applications, which are associated with the plurality of categories,

wherein different views of presence for the user are created and delivered to the presence applications based on the associated categories.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the communication capabilities of the user are determined by accessing a database identifying methods of communicating with one or more communication devices of the user.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the communication capabilities of the user are determined by receiving information identifying at least one method of communicating with the user from at least one communication device associated with the user.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the communication capabilities of the user are determined by receiving information identifying at least one method of communicating with the user from the user via at least one communication device associated with the user.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the control system is further adapted to:

a) receive a profile from the user; and

b) generate the presence rules for each of the plurality of categories based on the profile, wherein the plurality of presence rules define how to evaluate the state information and the communication capabilities to create the presence information for each of the plurality of categories.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein the state information sterns from an interaction with the plurality of devices by the user during traditional use of the device without regard to generating the state information.

18. The system of claim 12 wherein the control system is further adapted to:

a) receive a request from the presence application to receive the presence information for the user; and

b) authorize delivery of the presence information to the presence application.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the control system is further adapted to:

a) determine initial presence information based on initial state information for the plurality of devices and initial communication capabilities of the user; and

b) deliver the initial presence information for the user to the presence application upon authorizing delivery of the presence information.

20. The system of claim 12 further comprising registering the plurality of devices or systems associated therewith to facilitate reception of the state information and information bearing on communication capabilities of the user.

21. The system of claim 12 wherein the state information for at least one of the plurality of devices includes location information associated with the at least one of the devices.

22. The system of claim 12 wherein the plurality of devices is associated with a plurality of disparate networks.

23. A computer readable medium comprising instructions for instructing a computer to:

a) receive state information bearing on availability of the user from a plurality of devices;

b) determine communication capabilities of the user;

c) evaluate the state information and the communication capabilities to create presence information identifying a preferred method for a subscriber to communicate with the user and identifying a prioritized list of methods for the subscriber to communicate with the user, the prioritized list including the preferred method for the subscriber to communicate with the user;

d) send the presence information to a presence application associated with the subscriber;

e) evaluate the state information and the communication capabilities with a plurality of presence rules to create the presence information for each of a plurality of categories associated with a plurality of subscribers; and

f) send the presence information to a plurality of presence applications, which are associated with the plurality of categories,

wherein different views of presence for the user are created and delivered to the presence applications based on the associated categories.