System and method for real-time call log status

• US 7,778,399 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2004
• Issued: 08/17/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mitel (Delaware), Inc. (Mitel Networks Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Inter-Tel Incorporated (Mitel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Ambrose, Toby R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Quynh H
• Application Number:
  US10/884,416
• Publication Number:
  US 20060002536A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,237 Days
• Field of Search: 379/142.01, 379/142.11, 379/142.17
• US Class Current: 379/142.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/56 Arrangements for indicating or recording the called number at the calling subscriber's set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/06 Recording class or number of calling , i.e. A-party or called party , i.e. B-party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/59 based on real time
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/018 On-line real-time billing, able to see billing information while in communication, e.g. via the internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42195 Arrangements for calling back a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy H04M3/48
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42365 Presence services providing information on the willingness to communicate or the ability to communicate in terms of media capability or network connectivity

Abstract

A system and method for real-time call log status includes a call log database of call records representing transpired communication events. The call log is displayed for the user and includes a status indicator for each of the events. The status indicator may be an icon, a description, a pop-up window, a pop-up menu or any other indication that informs the user of the real-time status of the name/number associated with the displayed event. In this manner, the user is able to determine, at a glance, whether the name/number is available to participate in an impending communication event.

Claims

1. A communications call log system comprising:

an address book database comprising a plurality of information comprising stored names and stored contact numbers;

a call log database comprising a plurality of call records, each of the call records representing a transpired communication event between a user and another participant;

a displayable call log comprising one or more entries, each entry displaying a plurality of data pertaining to one of the call records, if the participant is one of the stored names or stored contact numbers from the address book database then the data includes the stored information pertaining to the participant;

a first status indicator displayed for each entry on the call log, the first status indicator comprising a graphical icon representing one of an incoming or an outgoing previous call;

a second status indicator displayed for each entry on the call log, the second status indicator comprising a graphical icon being automatically system-updated without user interaction as a status of the participant on the entry changes and representing a real-time telephony status of the participant, wherein the user views the real-time availability of the entry to participate in an impending voice communication event; and

a third status indicator displayed for each entry on the call log, the third status indicator comprising a graphical icon representing a result of the transpired communication event.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said status indicator further comprises one of a pop-up window or a pop-up menu, both being displayed by user action.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said status indicator further comprises a pop-up window of detailed status information.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said call log includes a finite number of entries and as recent entries are added older entries are deleted.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said data pertaining to one of the call records further comprises a sequence of steps detailing placement of the transpired communication event.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein said entry includes a user-activated indicia to initiate an impending communication event from said entry.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein said user-activated indicia comprises a hyperlink.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said entry includes a user notification if there is a partial match of said stored name and stored contact number.

9. A communications call log process for a user, the process comprising:

recording, in a retrieval memory, a plurality of data pertaining to a transpired communication event between an associated number of the user and another participant, the data including a number of the participant;

displaying, on a communication device, a call log comprising one or more of the transpired communication events;

displaying, on the device, a first status indicator comprising a graphical icon representing one of an incoming or an outgoing previous call;

displaying, on the device, a second status indicator comprising a graphical icon representative of the real-time telephony status of the number of the participant;

displaying, on the device, a third status indicator comprising a graphical icon representing a result of the transpired communication event;

detecting a change in telephony status of the number of the participant; and

automatically updating the second status indicator without user interaction to reflect the change, wherein the user views the real-time availability of the number to participate in a telephony call.

10. The process of claim 9 further comprising matching the number of the communication event with an address book entry.

11. The process of claim 10 further comprising displaying the address book entry for the matched transpired communication event.

12. The process of claim 9, wherein the status indicator further comprises displaying a pop-up window.

13. The process of claim 10 further comprising displaying an alert if there is a partial match.

14. The process of claim 9 wherein recording data further includes recording a sequence of steps detailing placement of the transpired communication event and the sequence of steps being displayed on the device.