Method and apparatus for providing interactive text messages during a voice call

• US 7,133,899 B2
• Filed: 07/31/2001
• Issued: 11/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cingular Wireless II LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Rowe, Lorin Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): Cardone, Jason
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pollack, Melvin H.
• Application Number:
  US09/917,821
• Publication Number:
  US 20030028601A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,925 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/207, 709/218, 709227-229, 709/231, 709/249, 379/52, 379/88.11, 379/88.13, 379/88.16, 379/88.17, 379/93.09, 370/473, 370/487, 370493-495, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/414.4, 455/415, 455/458, 455/466
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/085 specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals

Abstract

Embodiments of the present information relate to a method and apparatus for providing interactive text messages to a user'"'"'s device during a voice call. In one embodiment, information is received from a client and at least a portion of the received information is converted into a text format. Non-converted information is transmitted to the user'"'"'s device on a voice portion of a communications channel and the converted information is transmitted to the user'"'"'s device on a data control portion of the communications channel. Accordingly, interactive text messages are presented to a user'"'"'s device during a voice call.

Claims

1. A method for providing interactive text messages to a user'"'"'s device during a voice call, the method comprising:

receiving information from a client;

determining based on content of the received information that at least a portion of the received information is suitable for conversion into a text format;

converting the at least a portion of the received information into a text format;

transmitting to the user'"'"'s device non-converted information on a voice portion of a communications channel;

transmitting to the user'"'"'s device the converted information on a data control portion of the communications channel; and

generating a text alert to indicate that text is being presented on the user'"'"'s device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

responsive to the transmitted converted information, receiving a user response on the data control portion of the communications channel.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

forwarding the received user response to the client.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

obtaining the user response from the data control portion of the communication channel; and

converting the user response into an audio message.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

forwarding the audio message to the client.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the non-converted information via voice portion of the communications channel; and

receiving the converted information via the data control portion of the communications channel at the user'"'"'s device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

presenting the non-converted information as audio information on the user'"'"'s device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

appending the text alert to the non-converted information, wherein the text alert is transmitted on the voice portion of the communication channel.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

transmitting to the user'"'"'s device the converted information on the data control portion of the communications channel after the text alert is transmitted.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

receiving a trigger identifying the information suitable for conversion.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

responsive to the user response, retrieving stored information from memory; and

forwarding the retrieved information to the client.

12. A method for providing interactive text messages to a user'"'"'s device during a voice call, the method comprising:

receiving information from a client;

determining based on content of the received information that at least a portion of the received information is suitable for conversion into a text format;

based on the determining, separating the received information into a first portion that is suitable for text conversion and a second portion that is not suitable for text conversion;

converting the first portion into a text format;

transmitting to the user'"'"'s device the second portion on a voice portion of a communications channel;

transmitting the converted portion on a data control portion of the communications channel; and

generating a text alert to indicate that text is being presented on the user'"'"'s device.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

receiving a user response on the data control portion of the communications channel.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the presented text includes a plurality of choices for selection by a user and the user response indicates at least a selected one of the plurality of choices.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

forwarding the received user response to the client for processing.

16. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of executable instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions to:

receive information from a client;

determining based on content of the received information whether at least a portion of the received information is suitable for conversion into a text format;

based on the determining, separate the received information into a first portion that is suitable for text conversion and a second portion that is not suitable for text conversion;

convert the first portion into a text format;

transmit to the user'"'"'s device the second portion on a voice portion of a communications channel;

transmit the converted portion on a data control portion of the communications channel; and

generate a text alert to indicate that text is being presented on the user'"'"'s device.

17. The machine-readable medium of claim 16, comprising further instructions to:

receive a user response on the data control portion of the communications channel.

18. The machine-readable medium of claim 17, comprising further instructions to:

transmit the text alert as audio on the voice portion of the communication channel, wherein the audio text alert indicates that text, based on the converted portion, is being presented on a user'"'"'s device display.

19. The machine-readable medium of claim 18, comprising further instructions to:

forward the received user response to the client for processing.

20. Apparatus for providing interactive text messages to a users device during a voice call, the apparatus comprising:

a client input port configured to receive information from a client;

a processor configured to determine based on content of the received information whether at least a portion of the received information is suitable for conversion into a text format, and based on the determining, separate the received information into a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is suitable for text conversion and a second segment is not suitable for text conversion, the processor is further configured to convert the first segment into a text format;

a transmitter configured to transmit the second segment on a voice portion of a communications channel and the transmitter is further configured to transmit the converted segment on a data control portion of the communications channel;

the transmitter further configured to transmit an audio text alert on the voice portion of the communication channel, wherein the audio text alert indicates that text, based on the converted portion, is being presented on a user'"'"'s device display.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a user response on the data control portion of the communications channel.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, the client input port further configured to forward the received user response to the client for processing.

23. Apparatus for providing interactive text messages to a user'"'"'s device during a voice call, the apparatus comprising:

a receiver means configured to receive information from a client;

a processor means configured to determine based on content of the received information whether at least a portion of the received information is suitable for conversion into a text format, and based on the determining, process the received information into a first segment and a second segment, wherein the first segment is suitable for text conversion and a second segment is not suitable for text conversion, and the processor means being further configured to convert the first segment into a text format;

a transmitter means configured to transmit the second segment on a voice portion of a communications channel and the transmitter means is further configured to transmit the converted segment on a data control portion of the communications channel;

wherein the transmitter means is further configured to transmit an audio text alert on the voice portion of the communication channel, wherein the audio text alert indicates that text, based on the converted portion, is being presented on a user'"'"'s device display.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the receiver means further configured to receive a user response on the data control portion of the communications channel.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the transmitter means further configured to forward the received user response to the client for processing.

35. The method of claim 24, wherein the information transmitted to the user device includes at least one of the plurality of names.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the received user response includes a selection of the at least one of a plurality of names.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein retrieved additional information includes at least one of a plurality of corresponding telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and mailing addresses from the personal directory list.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the telephone number corresponding to the selected one of a plurality of names is forwarded to the client device for call completion.

39. The method of claim 38, further comprising:

forwarding at least one of a plurality telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and mailing addresses corresponding to the selected one of a plurality of names to the user device via the data control portion of the communications channel.

26. A method for providing an interactive, intelligent end users service, the method comprising:

responsive to a user call, retrieving a personal user list created by the user;

transmitting information from the personal user list via the data control portion of a communications channel to a user device;

receiving a user response via the data control portion of the communications channel;

retrieving additional information from the personal user list, the additional information corresponding to the received user response; and

forwarding the additional information to a client device for processing;

wherein the personal user list is a personal paging list, the personal paging list includes a plurality of names and corresponding paging numbers, and wherein the method further comprises

receiving a call back number; and

forwarding the call back number to the client device to complete a page based on the paging number and the call back number.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the information transmitted to the user device includes at least one of the plurality of names.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the received user response includes a selection of the at least one of a plurality of names.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein retrieved additional information includes the paging number from the personal paging list, the paging number corresponding to the selected name.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the paging number is forwarded to the client device to complete a page.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the call back number is received on the data control portion of the of the communication channel.

32. The method of claim 26 further comprising:

retrieving a plurality of call back numbers from the personal paging list; and

forwarding the plurality of call back number via the data control portion of the communication channel to the user device for selection.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

receiving a selected one of the plurality of call back numbers via the data control portion of the of the communication channel; and

forwarding the selected call back number to complete the page based on the paging number and the call back number.

34. The method of claim 26, wherein the personal user list is a personal directory list, the personal directory list includes a plurality of names and at least one of a plurality of corresponding telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and mailing addresses.

40. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of executable instructions, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions to:

responsive to a user call, retrieve a personal user list created by the user;

transmit information from the personal user list via the data control portion of a communications channel to a user device;

receive a user response via the data control portion of the communications channel;

retrieve additional information from the personal user list, the additional information corresponding to the received user response;

forward the additional information to a client device for processing;

wherein the personal user list is a personal paging list, the personal paging list includes a plurality of names and corresponding paging numbers, and wherein the instructions are further to

receive a call back number; and

forward the call back number to the client device to complete a page based on the paging number and the call back number.

41. The machine-readable medium of claim 40, comprising further instructions to:

retrieve a plurality of call back numbers from the personal paging list; and

forward the plurality of call back number via the data control portion of the of the communication channel to the user device for selection.

42. The machine-readable medium of claim 41, comprising further instructions to:

receive a selected one of the plurality of call back numbers via the data control portion of the of the communication channel; and

forward the selected call back number to the client device to complete the page based on the paging number and the call back number.

43. The machine-readable medium of claim 40, wherein the personal user list is a personal directory list, the personal directory list includes a plurality of names and at least one of a plurality of corresponding telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and mailing addresses.

44. The machine-readable medium of claim 43, comprising further instructions to:

forward at least one of a plurality telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and mailing addresses corresponding to a selected one of a plurality of names to the user device via the data control portion of the communications channel.

45. Apparatus for providing an interactive, intelligent end users s service, the apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to retrieve a personal user list in response to a call, the personal user list created by a user;

a transmitter configured to transmit information from the personal user list via the data control portion of a communications channel; and

a receiver configured to receive a user response via the data control portion of the communications channel, the processor being further configured to retrieve additional information from the personal user list, the additional information corresponding to the received user response and the transmitter being further configured to forward the additional information to a client device for processing;

wherein the personal user list is a personal paging list, the personal paging list includes a plurality of names and corresponding paging numbers, wherein the information transmitted to the user device includes at least one of the plurality of names, wherein the received user response includes a selection of the at least one of a plurality of names, wherein retrieved additional information includes the paging number from the personal paging list, the paging number corresponding to the selected name, and wherein the paging number is forwarded to the client device to complete a page; and

wherein the receiver further configured to receive a call back number and the transmitter further configured to forward the call back number to the client device to complete a page based on a paging number and the call back number.

46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve a plurality of call back numbers from a personal paging list and the transmitter is further configured to forward the plurality of call back numbers via the data control portion of the of the communication channel to the user device for selection.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the processor is further configured to retrieve a selected one of the plurality of call back numbers via the data control portion of the of the communication channel and the transmitter is further configured to forward the selected call back number to complete a page based on the paging number and the one selected call back number.

48. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the personal user list is a personal directory list, the personal directory list includes a plurality of names and at least one of a plurality of corresponding telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and mailing addresses, wherein the information transmitted to the user device includes at least one of the plurality of names, wherein the received user response includes a selection of the at least one of a plurality of names, wherein retrieved additional information includes at least one of a plurality of corresponding telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and mailing addresses from the personal directory list, and wherein the telephone number corresponding to the selected one of a plurality of names is forwarded to the client device for call completion.

49. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the transmitter further configured to forward at least one of a plurality telephone numbers, e-mail addresses and mailing addresses corresponding to a selected one of a plurality of names to the user device via the data control portion of the communications channel.