Method and system for multi-mode communication with sender authentication
First Claim
1. A method for communication control, comprising:
- receiving a communication, the communication comprising a message directed to a recipient of a messaging service, the recipient comprising an end-user of the service;
authenticating a sender of the communication based at least in part on a form of authentication selected by the recipient to which the communication is directed, and selected from among a plurality of forms of authentication;
determining the recipient'"'"'s preferred form of receiving the communication from among a plurality of forms of receiving communications; and
enabling the recipient to receive the communication in the preferred form.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Enabling control over multiple forms of communication to a recipient, such as email, instant messages, cell phone calls, conventional phone calls, faxes, and the like. The recipient defines rules for authenticating senders and for determining when, where, and how communication from the senders is transmitted to the recipient'"'"'s preferred receiving device(s). The rules are stored in a database of a central service. The central service applies the rules to incoming email, instant messages, calls, faxes, etc. The central service screens unauthentic senders according the recipients rules associated with each form of communication, requiring the sender to provide some proof of identification. If authenticated, the central service enables a sender to communicate with the recipient via the recipient'"'"'s currently preferred receiving device. If necessary, the central service converts incoming communications to the recipient'"'"'s preferred form of communication for transmission to the recipient'"'"'s preferred voice mail, cell phone, instant message service, etc.
14 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for communication control, comprising:
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receiving a communication, the communication comprising a message directed to a recipient of a messaging service, the recipient comprising an end-user of the service; authenticating a sender of the communication based at least in part on a form of authentication selected by the recipient to which the communication is directed, and selected from among a plurality of forms of authentication; determining the recipient'"'"'s preferred form of receiving the communication from among a plurality of forms of receiving communications; and enabling the recipient to receive the communication in the preferred form. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus comprising:
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a processor configured to receive a communication, the communication comprising a message directed to a recipient of a messaging service, the recipient comprising an end-user of the service; wherein the processor is configured to authenticate a sender of the communication based at least in part on a form of authentication selected by the recipient to which the communication is directed, and selected from among a plurality of forms of authentication; wherein the processor is configured to determine a recipient'"'"'s preferred form of receiving the communication from among a plurality of forms of receiving communications; and wherein the processor is configured to enable the recipient to receive the communication in the preferred form. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for communication control, comprising:
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a request handler that receives a communication from a sender in one form of a plurality of communication forms, the communication comprising a message directed to a recipient of a messaging service, the recipient comprising an end-user of the service; an authenticator in communication with the request handler, and authenticating the sender based at least in part on a form of authentication selected by the recipient to which the communication is directed, and selected from among a plurality of forms of authentication; a converter in communication with the request handler, and converting the communication from the sender to a form preferred by a recipient; and a transmitter in communication with the converter, and transmitting the converted communication to the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification