Method and apparatus for unified communication management via instant messaging
First Claim
1. A method for managing communication devices associated with a voice network and a data network using at least one unified communication manager and an instant messaging service, wherein the at least one unified communication manager is connected to both the voice network and the data network, the method performed by the unified communication manager comprising:
- receiving a first instant message from a user through a real-time communication channel that is established by the instant messaging service and containing at least a request to set one or more rules for responding to a communication attempt to at least one of the communication devices;
setting the one or more rules based on information in the first instant message; and
transmitting to the user, through the real-time communication channel, a second instant message containing a notification indicating the setting of the one or more rules of the at least one communication device;
wherein setting the one or more rules comprisesmodifying the one or more rules based on the information in the first instant message;
storing the modified one or more rules in a storage in the data network and accessible to the unified communication manager; and
transmitting information based on the modified one or more rules to a control point in the voice network.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for a unified communications manager via instant messaging are provided. In particular, a user may interface with a user service center to use applications via an instant messaging service to manage various aspects of their communications such as their phone calls, voice mail, email, and instant messages. A user may also manage their contact information and profile, such as rules for how calls are forwarded to the user. Thus, a user is provided a unified communications manager to implement rules and conditions across a wide variety of devices and networks.
400 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A method for managing communication devices associated with a voice network and a data network using at least one unified communication manager and an instant messaging service, wherein the at least one unified communication manager is connected to both the voice network and the data network, the method performed by the unified communication manager comprising:
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receiving a first instant message from a user through a real-time communication channel that is established by the instant messaging service and containing at least a request to set one or more rules for responding to a communication attempt to at least one of the communication devices; setting the one or more rules based on information in the first instant message; and transmitting to the user, through the real-time communication channel, a second instant message containing a notification indicating the setting of the one or more rules of the at least one communication device; wherein setting the one or more rules comprises modifying the one or more rules based on the information in the first instant message; storing the modified one or more rules in a storage in the data network and accessible to the unified communication manager; and transmitting information based on the modified one or more rules to a control point in the voice network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A method for managing communication devices associated with a voice network and a data network using at least one unified communication manager and an instant messaging service, wherein the at least one unified communication manager is connected to both the voice network and the data network, the method performed by the unified communication manager comprising:
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receiving a first instant message from a user through a real-time communication channel that is established by the instant messaging service and containing at least a request to set one or more rules for responding to a communication attempt to at least one of the communication devices; setting the one or more rules based on information in the first instant message; and transmitting to the user, through the real-time communication channel, a second instant message containing a notification indicating the setting of the one or more rules of the at least one communication device; wherein setting the one or more rules comprises modifying the one or more rules based on the information in the first instant message; storing the modified one or more rules in the data network and accessible by the unified communication manager. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6)
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7. A computer readable medium capable of configuring a computer to perform a method of managing communication devices associated with a voice network and a data network using at least one unified communications manager and an instant messaging service, wherein the at least one unified communication manager is connected to both the voice network and the data network, the method performed by the unified communication manager comprising:
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receiving a first instant message from a user through a real-time communication channel that is established by the instant messaging service and containing at least a request to set one or more rules for responding to a communication attempt to at least one of the communication devices; setting the one or more rules based on information in the first instant message; and transmitting to the user, through the real-time communication channel, a second instant message containing a notification indicating the setting of the one or more rules; wherein setting the one or more rules comprises modifying the one or more rules based on the information in the first instant message; storing the modified one or more rules in a storage in the data network and accessible to the unified communication manager; and transmitting information based on the modified one or more rules to the voice network. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A computer readable medium capable of configuring a computer to perform a method of managing communication devices associated with a voice network and a data network using at least one unified communications manager and an instant messaging service, wherein the at least one unified communication manager is connected to both the voice network and the data network, the method performed by the unified communication manager comprising:
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receiving a first instant message from a user through a real-time communication channel that is established by the instant messaging service and containing at least a request to set one or more rules for responding to a communication attempt to at least one of the communication devices; setting the one or more rules based on information in the first instant message; and transmitting to the user, through the real-time communication channel, a second instant message containing a notification indicating the setting of the one or more rules; wherein setting the one or more rules comprises modifying the one or more rules based on the information in the first instant message; and storing the modified one or more rules in a storage in the data network and accessible to the unified communication manager. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. An apparatus for managing communication devices associated with a voice network and a data network using at least one unified communication manager and an instant messaging service, wherein the at least one unified communication manager is connected to both the voice network and the data network, the unified communication manager comprising:
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means for receiving a first instant message from a user through a real-time communication channel that is established by the instant messaging service and containing at least a request to set one or more rules for responding to a communication attempt to at least one of the communication devices; means for setting the one or more rules based on information in the first instant message; and means for transmitting to the user, through the real-time communication channel, a second instant message containing a notification indicating the setting of the one or more rules; wherein the means for setting the one or more rules is configured to modify the one or more rules based on the information in the first instant message; store the modified one or more rules in a storage in the data network and accessible to the unified communication manager; and transmit information based on the modified one or more rules to the voice network. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. An apparatus for managing communication devices associated with a voice network and a data network using at least one unified communication manager and an instant messaging service, wherein the at least one unified communication manager is connected to both the voice network and the data network, the unified communication manager comprising:
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means for receiving a first instant message from a user through a real-time communication channel that is established by the instant messaging service and containing at least a request to set one or more rules for responding to a communication attempt to at least one of the communication devices; means for setting the one or more rules based on information in the first instant message; and means for transmitting to the user, through the real-time communication channel, a second instant message containing a notification indicating the setting of the one or more rules; wherein the means for setting the one or more rules is configured to modify the one or more rules based on the information in the first instant message; and store the modified one or more rules in a storage in the data network and accessible to the unified communication manager. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification