Method for augmenting a voice call

• US 9,237,239 B2
• Filed: 08/20/2010
• Issued: 01/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ribbon Communications Operating Company, Inc. (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Genband US LLC (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Inventors: Sylvain, Dany
• Primary Examiner(s): Chu, Wutchung
• Application Number:
  US12/860,588
• Publication Number:
  US 20120045046A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,971 Days
• Field of Search: 370352-356, 370/259, 370/271, 37920101-20702, 379/142.07, 379/142.06, 379/142.15, 379/15.02, 379/15.03, 379/142.04, 379/220.01, 379/114.28, 379/120, 379/157, 379/88.19, 379/88.17, 379/265.09, 709227-232, 455/414.1, 455/557, 455/556.1, 455/556.2
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0012 Details of application programming interfaces [API] for telephone networks; Arrangements which combine a telephonic communication equipment and a computer, i.e. computer telephony integration [CPI] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13178 Control signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13201 Change-over of service during connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13337 Picturephone, videotelephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13375 Electronic mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 LAN, internet

Abstract

A method includes receiving a query from an external entity for information about a call between a first user and a second user, determining a call identifier associated with the call and providing the call identifier to the external entity. Subsequently, when a request to alter the call and comprising the call identifier is received from the external entity, the call is altered the call in accordance with the request.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a request from a computing device associated with a first user, the request being to connect to an established call between the first user and a second user;

in response to the request, transmitting to a call server a query for information associated with the established call, wherein the call server is associated with the established call between the first user and the second user, wherein the query comprises an identifier of the first user involved in the call;

receiving from the call server information associated with the call, wherein the information associated with the call comprises a caller identifier of the second user and the caller identifier is used to retrieve an alternate communication address for the second user associated with a computing device of the second user; and

utilizing the information to augment the call, wherein utilizing the information comprises;

determining at least one option for augmenting the call based upon the capabilities of the second user;

presenting the at least one option to the first user

receiving a selection of one of the at least one option from the first user; and

augmenting the call based upon the selection, wherein augmenting the call comprises;

transmitting a Universal Resource Locator (URL) to the second user, forming a communicative coupling with the second user in response to the second user accessing the URL, and establishing communication between the first user and the second user.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the information comprises a call identifier and wherein utilizing the information comprises transmitting to the call server an instruction to augment the call the instruction comprising the call identifier.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the instruction comprises an instruction to add a party to the call.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the instruction comprises an instruction to drop a party from the call.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the instruction comprises an instruction to add a media stream to the call.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the media stream comprises at least one of an audio stream and a video stream.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the query comprises transmitting the query via an application program interface (API).

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the capabilities of the second user are stored in a user profile.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication is via a packet based network.

10. A service node comprising:

at least one communication interface; and

a control system associated with the at least one communication interface and adapted to;

receive a request from a computing device associated with a first user, the request being to connect to an established call between the first user and a second user;

in response to the request, transmit to a call server a query for the information associated with the established call, wherein the call server is associated with the established call between the first user and the second user, wherein the query comprises an identifier of the first user involved in the call, further wherein the call with the first user includes an established voice call between the first user and the second user over a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN);

receive from the call server the information associated with the call; and

utilize the information to augment the call.

11. The service node of claim 10 wherein the information comprises a call identifier and wherein the control system is adapted to transmit to the call server an instruction to augment the call the instruction comprising the call identifier.

12. The service node of claim 10, wherein to utilize the information to augment the call, the control system is further adapted to:

determine at least one option for augmenting the call based upon the capabilities of the second user;

present the at least one option to the first user;

receive a selection of one of the at least one option from the first user; and

augment the call based upon the selection.

13. The service node of claim 12, wherein to augment the call based upon the selection, the control system is further adapted to transmit a Universal Resource Locator (URL) to the second user, forming a communicative coupling with the second user in response to the second user accessing the URL, and establishing communication between the first user and the second user.

14. The service node of claim 13, wherein to utilize the information, the control system is further adapted to transmit to the call server an instruction to augment the call.

15. The service node of claim 13, wherein the instruction comprises an instruction to add or drop a party from the call.

16. The service node of claim 13, wherein the instruction comprises an instruction to add a media stream to the call.

17. The service node of claim 16, wherein the media stream comprises at least one of an audio stream and a video stream.

18. A method performed by a service node, the method comprising:

receiving a request from a computing device associated with a first user, the request being to connect to an established call between the first user and a second user;

in response to the request, transmitting to a call server a query for the information associated with the established call, wherein the call server is associated with the established call between the first user and the second user, wherein the query comprises an identifier of the first user involved in the call, further wherein the call with the first user includes an established voice call between the first user and the second user over a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN);

receiving from the call server the information associated with the call; and

utilizing the information to augment the call.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the information comprises a call identifier.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein utilizing the information comprises transmitting to the call server an instruction to augment the call, the instruction comprising the call identifier.