System and method for selectively interfacing different types of network communications
First Claim
1. A system for interfacing different types of network communications, the system comprising:
- one or more gateways capable of converting messages from messages that are adapted for a first type of network and/or device to messages that are adapted for a second type of network and/or device, wherein the second type of network and/or device includes an Internet Protocol (IP) phone;
a message-analysis module that is adapted to employ an address associated with the message to selectively forward the message to the IP phone using a text-based communication mode, wherein the text-based communication mode does not permit voice communication, the IP phone being configured to display an option on the IP phone to allow a user to move from the text-based communication mode to a voice-based communication mode, wherein the voice-based communication mode permits voice communication;
a messaging module in the IP phone, the messaging module being adapted to automatically extract phone number information from the message while the IP phone is in the text-based communication mode with a communications device in the first type of network and/or device; and
an automatic-dialing module in the IP phone, the automatic-dialing module being adapted to automatically initiate a voice-only call to the communications device with which the IP phone is in communication in the text-based communication mode using the automatically extracted phone number information, and in response to the user option selection of moving to the voice-based communication mode such that the user communicates via the initiated voice-only call without text conversion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for interfacing different types of network communications. In one embodiment, the system includes one or more gateways capable of converting messages from messages that are adapted for a first type of network and/or destination device to messages that are adapted for a second type of network and/or destination device. The second type of network and/or destination device includes a first Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP) communications device. A message-analysis module is adapted to employ an address associated with the message to selectively forward the message to one or more of the one or more gateways and/or to a destination device. In a more specific embodiment, the first type of network includes a packet-switched network in communication with the first VOIP phone. The destination device includes a mobile phone in communication with a cellular network. In the specific embodiment, the first type of destination device includes a user option to selectively transition a text-based communications session to a voice-based communications session.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system for interfacing different types of network communications, the system comprising:
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one or more gateways capable of converting messages from messages that are adapted for a first type of network and/or device to messages that are adapted for a second type of network and/or device, wherein the second type of network and/or device includes an Internet Protocol (IP) phone; a message-analysis module that is adapted to employ an address associated with the message to selectively forward the message to the IP phone using a text-based communication mode, wherein the text-based communication mode does not permit voice communication, the IP phone being configured to display an option on the IP phone to allow a user to move from the text-based communication mode to a voice-based communication mode, wherein the voice-based communication mode permits voice communication; a messaging module in the IP phone, the messaging module being adapted to automatically extract phone number information from the message while the IP phone is in the text-based communication mode with a communications device in the first type of network and/or device; and an automatic-dialing module in the IP phone, the automatic-dialing module being adapted to automatically initiate a voice-only call to the communications device with which the IP phone is in communication in the text-based communication mode using the automatically extracted phone number information, and in response to the user option selection of moving to the voice-based communication mode such that the user communicates via the initiated voice-only call without text conversion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for interfacing different types of network communications, the system comprising:
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means for intercepting a communication message, wherein the communication message is characterized by a first message type and/or format and a message destination; means for selectively converting the message from the first message type and/or format to a second message type and/or format as needed based on the message destination and forwarding a second message in response thereto to the message destination, wherein the first and second message types and/or formats are adapted for use with an Internet Protocol (IP) phone, the IP phone using a text-based communication mode, wherein the text-based communication mode does not permit voice communication, the IP phone being configured to display an option on the IP phone to allow a user to move from the text-based communication mode to a voice-based communication mode, wherein the voice-based communication mode permits voice communication; means for automatically extracting phone number information from the message while the IP phone is in the text-based communication mode with a sending device; and means for automatically calling to initiate a voice-only call, the sending device of the message with which the IP phone is in communication in the text-based communication mode using the automatically extracted phone number information, and in response to the user option selection of moving to the voice-based communication mode such that the user communicates via the initiated voice-only call without text conversion.
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11. An apparatus for facilitating interfacing different types of network communications, the apparatus comprising:
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a call manager in selective communication with an Internet Protocol (IP) phone via a packet-switched network; one or more gateways capable of converting messages from messages that are adapted for a first type of network and/or destination device to messages that are adapted for a second type of network and/or destination device, wherein the IP phone comprises a messaging module adapted to automatically extract phone number information from the message while the IP phone is in the text-based communication mode with a communications device in the first type of network and/or device; and a message-analysis module in the call manager, wherein the message analysis module is adapted to employ an address associated with a message to selectively forward the message to the IP phone using a text-based communication mode, wherein the text-based communication mode does not permit voice communication, the IP phone being configured to display an option on the IP phone to allow a user to move from the text-based communication mode to a voice-based communication mode using an automatic-dialing module in the IP phone to initiate a voice-only call using the automatically extracted phone number information, and in response to the user option selection of moving to the voice-based communication mode, wherein the voice-based communication mode permits voice communication via the initiated voice-only call without text conversion.
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12. An apparatus for facilitating messaging between communications devices, the apparatus comprising:
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a messaging application running on a first communications device, wherein the messaging application is adapted to output a first type of message based on user input; and a message-interfacing application in communication with the messaging application, wherein the message-interfacing application is adapted to selectively convert the first type of message to a second type of message that is compatible with a second communications device, wherein the second communications device includes; an Internet Protocol (IP) phone, the IP phone using a text-based communication mode, wherein the text-based communication mode does not permit voice communication, the IP phone being configured to display an option on the IP phone to allow a user to move from the text-based communication mode to a voice-based communication mode, wherein the voice-based communication mode permits voice communication; a messaging module in the IP phone, the messaging module being adapted to automatically extract phone number information from the message while the IP phone is in the text-based communication mode with the first communications device; an automatic-dialing module in the IP phone, the automatic-dialing module being adapted to automatically initiate a voice-only call to the first communications device with which the IP phone is in communication in the text-based communication mode using the automatically extracted phone number information, and in response to the user option selection of moving to the voice-based communication mode such that the user communicates via the initiated voice-only call without text conversion; and a routing module capable of forwarding the second type of message to the second communications device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for interfacing different types of network communications, the method comprising:
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intercepting a communication message, wherein the communication message is characterized by a first message type and/or format and a message destination; selectively converting the message from the first message type and/or format to a second message type and/or format as needed based on the message destination and forwarding a second message in response thereto to an Internet Protocol (IP) phone using a text-based communication mode, wherein the text-based communication mode does not permit voice communication, the IP phone displaying an option on the IP phone to allow a user to move from the text-based communication mode to a voice-based communication mode, wherein the voice-based communication mode permits voice communication; automatically extracting phone number information from the message while the IP phone is in the text-based communication mode with a sending device; and automatically calling to initiate a voice-only call, the sending device of the message with which the IP phone is in communication in the text-based communication mode using the automatically extracted phone number information, and in response to the user option selection of moving to the voice-based communication mode such that the user communicates via the initiated voice-only call without text conversion.
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29. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions executable by a computer processor for:
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intercepting a communication message, wherein the communication message is characterized by a first message type and/or format and a message destination; selectively converting the message from the first message type and/or format to a second message type and/or format as needed based on the message destination and forwarding a second message in response thereto to an Internet Protocol (IP) phone using a text-based communication mode, wherein the text-based communication mode does not permit voice communication, the IP phone displaying an option on the IP phone to allow a user to move from the text-based communication mode to a voice-based communication mode, wherein the voice-based communication mode permits voice communication; automatically extracting phone number information from the message while the IP phone is in the text-based communication mode with a sending device; and automatically calling to initiate a voice-only call, the sending device of the message with which the IP phone is in communication in the text-based communication mode using the automatically extracted phone number information, and in response to the user option selection of moving to the voice-based communication mode such that the user communicates via the initiated voice-only call without text conversion.
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Specification