Prioritization of emergency voice and data communications

• US 7,796,606 B2
• Filed: 04/02/2007
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Taub, Jonathan A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao; Kwang B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huq; Obaidul
• Application Number:
  US11/731,949
• Publication Number:
  US 20080240148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,261 Days
• Field of Search: 370/431, 370/442, 370/443, 370/444, 370/351, 370/389, 370/395.1, 370/395.4, 370/395.42, 370/395.41, 370/395.43, 370/357, 370/359, 370/463, 370/419, 370/395.21, 370/395.2, 709/204, 709/207
• US Class Current: 370/395.21
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/18 Negotiating wireless communication parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections

Abstract

Prioritized communications are facilitated based on a receiving user'"'"'s designation of a source (initiator), a delivery mode, and other parameters associated with the communication. The receiver may configure a list of preapproved initiators, delivery devices and modes, and any associated services such as a locator service, a mapping service, a directory service, etc. The communication is initiated by the initiator or automatically from an application associated with the initiator'"'"'s device. A communication service or a hosted service retrieves receiver information and facilitates prioritized communication also providing optional services associated with the communication.

Claims

1. A method to be executed at least in part in a computing device for providing prioritized communications, the method comprising:

receiving a prioritized communication preference from a receiver;

storing the received preference;

in response to receiving a request for prioritized communication from an initiator, determining whether the initiator is in a preapproved list of the receiver;

if the initiator is in the preapproved list, retrieving the stored preference;

configuring a communication system based on the retrieved preference;

facilitating the prioritized communication between the initiator in the preapproved list and the receiver using the communication system configured based on the retrieved preference;

presenting, in a user interface associated with a communication application, the receiver with a plurality of options for associated services when the prioritized communication is received, the plurality of options comprising activating sensor data analysis applications, database access applications for retrieving data associated with the initiator, and a directory service of nearby facilities;

automatically activating, in the user interface, the plurality of other applications, the plurality of other applications including the sensor data analysis applications, the database access applications, and the directory service;

tracking a location of the receiver; and

adjusting a delivery mode for the prioritized communication when the receiver is determined to be at the same location as the initiator in the preapproved list, wherein the prioritized communication is not needed when the initiator is at the same location as the receiver.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing the receiver a selection of additional services associated with the prioritized communication; and

in response to receiving a request for at least one of the additional services from the receiver, activating the at least one additional service.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the prioritized communication preference includes at least one from a set of:

a list of preapproved initiators, a list of devices to receive the prioritized communication, a list of applications to receive the prioritized communication, a delivery mode, and a list of restrictions on delivery.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the prioritized communication preference from the receiver includes:

providing the receiver a list of default options for the preference; and

enabling the receiver to modify the default options.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the additional services further include at least one from a set of:

a mapping service, a directory service, a sensory input analysis service, and a secondary communication service.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the prioritized communication includes one of:

an electronic mail, a text message, a voice communication, and a video communication.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the delivery mode includes at least one from a set of:

a graphic display alert, a text-based alert, a sound alert, and a vibration alert.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to receiving a request for prioritized communications with a plurality of receivers from an initiator, determining whether the initiator is in preapproved lists of the plurality of receivers; and

if the initiator is in the preapproved lists, facilitating the prioritized communications between the initiator and the plurality of receivers.

9. A system for providing prioritized communications, comprising:

a memory;

a data store;

a processor coupled to the memory and the data store, wherein the processor is configured to execute program instructions for;

receiving prioritized communication preferences from a receiver;

storing the received preferences in the data store;

in response to receiving a request for prioritized communication from an initiator, determining whether the initiator is in a preapproved list of at least one receiver;

if the initiator is in the preapproved list, retrieving the stored preferences from the data store;

configuring a communication system based on the retrieved preferences;

facilitating the prioritized communication between the initiator in the preapproved list and the at least one receiver using the communication system configured based on the retrieved preferences;

presenting, in a user interface associated with a communication application, the at least one receiver with a plurality of options for associated services when the prioritized communication is received, the plurality of options comprising activating sensor data analysis applications, database access applications for retrieving data associated with the initiator, and a directory service of nearby facilities;

automatically activating, in the user interface, the plurality of other applications, the plurality of other applications including the sensor data analysis applications, the database access applications, and the directory service;

tracking a location of the at least one receiver;

adjusting a delivery mode for the prioritized communication when the receiver is determined to be at the same location as the initiator in the preapproved list, wherein the prioritized communication is not needed when the initiator is at the same location as the receiver.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the initiator is enabled to send the request for prioritized communication by using one of:

a hard key, a soft key, a menu item, a display icon in a communication device.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the communication device is enabled to send the request for prioritized communication automatically based on an input from a sensor associated with the communication device.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the sensor includes at least one of:

a medical condition monitoring sensor and a gyroscopic sensor configured to detect a fall.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the communication device is enabled to send the request for prioritized communication automatically based on an input from an application configured to monitor one of:

a location of the communication device and expiration of a time period predefined by the at least one receiver.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the system is part of one of:

a hosted service, an organizational communication system, a telecommunication network, and Internet provider service.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the initiator is associated with a group of receivers, and wherein at least one receiver of the group of receivers is enabled to provide the preferences for the group of receivers.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the at least one receiver of the group of receivers is further enabled to designate target receivers for the initiator.

17. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with instructions stored thereon for providing prioritized communications, the instructions comprising:

receiving prioritized communication preferences from a receiver;

storing the received preferences in a data store;

enabling an initiator to send a prioritized communication request from a mobile device using one of;

a hard key, a soft key, a menu item, a display icon in the mobile device in response to receiving the request for prioritized communication, determining whether the initiator is in a preapproved list of the receiver;

if the initiator is in the preapproved list, retrieving the stored preferences from the data store;

providing an alert to a communication device employed by the receiver based on the retrieved preferences;

in response to an indication from the receiver of acceptance of the prioritized communication, facilitating the communication between the initiator in the preapproved list and the receiver;

presenting, in a user interface associated with a communication application, the receiver with a plurality of options for associated services when the prioritized communication is received, the plurality of options comprising activating sensor data analysis applications, database access applications for retrieving data associated with the initiator, and a directory service of nearby facilities;

automatically activating, in the user interface, the plurality of other applications, the plurality of other applications including the sensor data analysis applications, the database access applications, and the directory service;

tracking a location of the receiver;

adjusting a delivery mode for the prioritized communication when the receiver is determined to be at the same location as the initiator in the preapproved list, wherein the prioritized communication is not needed when the initiator is at the same location as the receiver.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the instructions further comprise:

providing the alert based on the received preferences to an application in the receiver'"'"'s communication device such that the receiver is notified by at least one from a set of;

a graphic display alert, a text-based alert, a sound alert, and a vibration alert; and

facilitating the prioritized communication through one of;

an electronic mail exchange, a text message exchange, a voice communication, and a video communication.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the alert includes an electronic message encoded with an indication of the priority.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 17, wherein the additional services include one of:

subscription services and pay-as-you-go services.