Method and system for facilitating mediated communication

• US 7,751,383 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2002
• Issued: 07/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unwired Planet LLC (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Original Assignee: Openwave Systems Incorporated (JP Morgan Chase & Co)
• Inventors: Chee, Wei-Meng, Schwartz, Richard L.
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, MAN U
• Application Number:
  US10/094,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20030123634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,042 Days
• Field of Search: 370235-252, 370338-352, 370395-410, 370466-468, 379/88.13, 379220-229, 709204-206, 709219-227, 709229-223, 705 1- 5, 705 14- 26, 725 95- 96, 725/118
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/563 Data redirection of data network streams
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/59 Providing operational support to end devices by off-loading in the network or by emulation, e.g. when they are unavailable
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/62 Establishing a time schedule for servicing the requests
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2011 Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

One embodiment of the disclosures made herein is a method for facilitating mediated communication. In accordance with such method, an operation is performed for maintaining a database including a plurality of Quality-Of-Service (QOS) factors and an operation is performed for assessing at least a portion of said QOS factors for determining a capability for offering mediated communication. In response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented, an operation is performed for facilitating transmission of a communication request notification for reception by a mediation subscriber communication device.

Claims

1. A method for facilitating mediated communication, comprising:

maintaining a database including a plurality of Quality-Of-Service (QOS) factors, wherein said QOS factors include at least one of a communication device factor, a device status factor, a network capability factor and a subscriber interaction factor;

assessing at least a portion of said QOS factors for determining a capability for offering mediated communication; and

facilitating transmission of a communication request notification for reception by a mediation subscriber communication device in response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein maintaining the database includes:

periodically updating said QOS factors independently of receiving an inbound communication request; and

performing a request-initiated QOS factor update in response to receiving the inbound communication request.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein periodically updating said QOS factors and performing the request-initiated QOS factor update each include updating at least one of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein maintaining the database includes periodically updating QOS factors independently of receiving an inbound communication.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein periodically updating said QOS factors includes updating at least one of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein maintaining the database includes performing a request-initiated QOS factor update in response to receiving the inbound communication request.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein performing the request-initiated QOS factor update includes updating at least one of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein assessing said QOS factors includes assessing at least one of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein assessing said QOS factors includes:

performing an assessment duration evaluation in parallel with determining the capability for offering mediated communication and preparing the communication request notification; and

terminating said assessing said evaluation in response to a maximum assessment duration being exceeded prior to evaluation of said QOS factors being completed.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein facilitating transmission of the communication request notification includes preparing the communication request notification in response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein preparing the communication request notification includes determining at least one follow-through option.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein preparing the communication request notification further includes determining a transport protocol capable of supporting transmission of the communication request notification for reception by a mediation subscriber communication device.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein determining the transport protocol includes assessing at least one of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein determining the transport protocol includes selecting the transport protocol from a group of transport protocols consisting essentially of a protocol associated with Small Messaging Service (SMS), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Internet Protocol (IP) Datagrams and Java Applets.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein:

assessing at least a portion of said QOS factors includes assessing at least one of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor for enabling determination of a transport protocol; and

determining a transport protocol after assessing said at least one of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein determining the transport protocol includes selecting the transport protocol from a group of transport protocols consisting essentially of a protocol associated with Small Messaging Service (SMS), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Internet Protocol (IP) Datagrams and Java Applets.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein facilitating transmission of the communication request notification includes enabling a communication request notification alert to be implemented for a prescribed duration of time prior to implementing a different type of alert associated conventionally with an inbound telephonic communication request.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein implementing the communication request notification alert includes utilizing an audible alert associated conventionally with a non-telephonic communication request as an audible portion of the communication request notification alert.

19. The method of claim 1 wherein facilitating transmission of the communication request notification includes enabling a communication request notification alert to be implemented for a prescribed duration of time prior to forwarding an inbound communication request associated with the communication request notification for reception by the mediation subscriber communication device.

20. A method for facilitating mediated communication, comprising:

periodically updating at least a portion of a plurality of Quality-Of-Service (QOS) factors independently of receiving an inbound communication request transmitted for reception by a subscriber communication device, wherein said QOS factors include at least one of a communication device factor, a device status factor, a network capability factor and a subscriber interaction factor;

performing a request-initiated QOS factor update in response to receiving the inbound communication request;

assessing at least a portion of said QOS factors for determining a capability for offering mediated communication;

determining at least one notification follow-through option in response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented;

determining a transport protocol capable of supporting transmission of said at least one notification follow-through option for reception by the mediation subscriber communication device in response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented; and

enabling a communication request notification alert to be implemented for a prescribed duration of time prior to forwarding the inbound communication request associated with the communication request notification for reception by the mediation subscriber communication device.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein periodically updating said QOS factors and performing the request-initiated QOS factor each include updating at least one of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein assessing said QOS factors includes assessing at least one of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein assessing said QOS factors includes:

performing an assessment duration evaluation in parallel with determining the capability for offering mediated communication and preparing the communication request notification; and

terminating said assessing said evaluation in response to a maximum assessment duration being exceeded prior to evaluation of said QOS factors being completed.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein determining the transport protocol includes assessing at least one of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein determining the transport protocol includes selecting the transport protocol from a group of transport protocols consisting essentially of a protocol associated with Small Messaging Service (SMS), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Internet Protocol (IP) Datagrams and Java Applets.

26. The method of claim 20 wherein determining the transport protocol includes selecting the transport protocol from a group of transport protocols consisting essentially of a protocol associated with Small Messaging Service (SMS), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Internet Protocol (IP) Datagrams and Java Applets.

27. The method of claim 20 wherein enabling the communication request notification alert to be implemented includes utilizing an audible alert associated conventionally with a non-telephonic communication request as an audible portion of the communication request notification alert.

28. A method for facilitating mediated communication, comprising:

assessing at least one Quality-Of-Service (QOS) factor for determining a capability for offering mediated communication, wherein said QOS factors include at least one of a communication device factor, a device status factor, a network capability factor and a subscriber interaction factor;

determining at least one notification follow-through option in response to determining that mediated communication is able to be implemented;

determining a transport protocol for enabling the communication request notification to be transmitted for reception by a mediation subscriber communication device determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented;

wherein determining said at least one notification follow-through option and determining the transport protocol are each influenced by the assessment of said at least one QOS factor.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein assessing said QOS factors includes:

performing an assessment duration evaluation in parallel with determining the capability for offering mediated communication and preparing the communication request notification; and

terminating said assessing said evaluation in response to a maximum assessment duration being exceeded prior to evaluation of said QOS factors being completed.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein determining the transport protocol includes assessing at least of the communication device factor, the device status factor, the network capability factor and the subscriber interaction factor.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein determining the transport protocol includes selecting the transport protocol from a group of transport protocols consisting essentially of a protocol associated with Small Messaging Service (SMS), Wireless Application Protocol (WAP), Internet Protocol (IP) Datagrams and Java Applets.

32. The method of claim 28, further comprising:

facilitating transmission of the communication request notification to the mediation subscriber communication device, wherein preparation of the communication request notification and transmission of the communication request notification are each facilitated in accordance with the transport protocol.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein facilitating transmission of the communication request notification includes enabling a communication request notification alert to be implemented for a prescribed duration of time prior to implementing a different type of alert associated conventionally with an inbound telephonic communication request.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein implementing the communication request notification alert includes utilizing an audible alert associated conventionally with a non-telephonic communication request as an audible portion of the communication request notification alert.

35. The method of claim 32 wherein facilitating transmission of the communication request notification includes enabling a communication request notification alert to be implemented for a prescribed duration of time prior to forwarding an inbound communication request associated with the communication request notification for reception by the mediation subscriber communication device.

36. A communication system, comprising:

a data processor;

a memory module coupled to data processor; and

a data processor program accessible from the memory module, wherein the data processor program is capable of enabling the data processor to facilitate;

maintaining a database including a plurality of Quality-Of-Service (QOS) factors, wherein said QOS factors include at least one of a communication device factor, a device status factor, a network capability factor and a subscriber interaction factor;

assessing at least a portion of said QOS factors for determining a capability for offering mediated communication; and

facilitating transmission of a communication request notification for reception by a mediation subscriber communication device in response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented.

37. A communication system, comprising:

a data processor;

a memory module coupled to data processor; and

a data processor program accessible from the memory module, wherein the data processor program is capable of enabling the data processor to facilitate;

periodically updating at least a portion of a plurality of Quality-Of-Service (QOS) factors independently of receiving an inbound communication request transmitted for reception by a subscriber communication device, wherein said QOS factors include at least one of a communication device factor, a device status factor, a network capability factor and a subscriber interaction factor;

performing a request-initiated QOS factor update in response to receiving the inbound communication request;

assessing at least a portion of said QOS factors for determining a capability for offering mediated communication;

determining at least one notification follow-through option in response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented;

determining a transport protocol capable of supporting transmission of said at least one notification follow-through option for reception by the mediation subscriber communication device in response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented; and

enabling a communication request notification alert to be implemented for a prescribed duration of time prior to forwarding the inbound communication request associated with the communication request notification for reception by the mediation subscriber communication device.

38. A communication system, comprising:

a data processor;

a memory module coupled to data processor; and

a data processor program accessible from the memory module, wherein the data processor program is capable of enabling the data processor to facilitate;

assessing at least one Quality-Of-Service (QOS) factor for determining a capability for offering mediated communication, wherein said QOS factors include at least one of a communication device factor, a device status factor, a network capability factor and a subscriber interaction factor;

determining at least one notification follow-through option in response to determining that mediated communication is able to be implemented;

determining a transport protocol for enabling the communication request notification to be transmitted for reception by a mediation subscriber communication device determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented;

wherein determining said at least one notification follow-through option and determining the transport protocol are each influenced by the assessment of said at least one QOS factor.

39. A data processor program product, comprising:

a data processor program processable by a data processor;

an apparatus from which the data processor program is accessible by the data processor; and

the data processor program being capable of enabling the data processor to facilitate;

maintaining a database including a plurality of Quality-Of-Service (QOS) factors, wherein said QOS factors include at least one of a communication device factor, a device status factor, a network capability factor and a subscriber interaction factor;

assessing at least a portion of said QOS factors for determining a capability for offering mediated communication; and

facilitating transmission of a communication request notification for reception by a mediation subscriber communication device in response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented.

40. A data processor program product, comprising:

a data processor program processable by a data processor;

an apparatus from which the data processor program is accessible by the data processor; and

the data processor program being capable of enabling the data processor to facilitate;

periodically updating at least a portion of a plurality of Quality-Of-Service (QOS) factors independently of receiving an inbound communication request transmitted for reception by a subscriber communication device, wherein said QOS factors include at least one of a communication device factor, a device status factor, a network capability factor and a subscriber interaction factor;

performing a request-initiated QOS factor update in response to receiving the inbound communication request;

assessing at least a portion of said QOS factors for determining a capability for offering mediated communication;

determining at least one notification follow-through option in response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented;

determining a transport protocol capable of supporting transmission of said at least one notification follow-through option for reception by the mediation subscriber communication device in response to determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented; and

enabling a communication request notification alert to be implemented for a prescribed duration of time prior to forwarding the inbound communication request associated with the communication request notification for reception by the mediation subscriber communication device.

41. A communication system, comprising:

a data processor program processable by a data processor;

an apparatus from which the data processor program is accessible by the data processor; and

the data processor program being capable of enabling the data processor to facilitate;

assessing at least one Quality-Of-Service (QOS) factor for determining a capability for offering mediated communication, wherein said QOS factors include at least one of a communication device factor, a device status factor, a network capability factor and a subscriber interaction factor;

determining at least one notification follow-through option in response to determining that mediated communication is able to be implemented;

determining a transport protocol for enabling the communication request notification to be transmitted for reception by a mediation subscriber communication device determining that mediated communication is capable of being implemented;

wherein determining said at least one notification follow-through option and determining the transport protocol are each influenced by the assessment of said at least one QOS factor.