Method and apparatus for providing an enhanced text messaging service

• US 9,648,471 B2
• Filed: 10/19/2015
• Issued: 05/09/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Detering, Christopher C., Rathbun, II, Dale
• Primary Examiner(s): Anwari, Maceeh
• Application Number:
  US14/886,921
• Publication Number:
  US 20160044471A1
• Time in Patent Office: 568 Days
• Field of Search: 709206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/06 Message adaptation to terminal or network requirements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2011 Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a text messaging service are disclosed. For example, the method receives a text message destined to a customer, and determines a preference of the customer for forwarding the text message, wherein the preference comprises a plurality of customer endpoint devices for receiving the text message. The method forwards the text message in accordance with a sender input, if the preference of the customer allows for processing of the text message in accordance with the sender input, and forwards the text message in accordance with the preference of the customer; if the preference of the customer does not allow sender input.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, via a processor of a text messaging service, a mobile text message destined to a customer;

determining, via the processor, a preference of the customer to whom the mobile text message is destined for forwarding the mobile text message, wherein the preference comprises a plurality of customer endpoint devices for receiving the mobile text message, wherein the plurality of customer endpoint devices comprises a mobile phone and a set-top box, wherein the preference further comprises a specification of at least one of the plurality of customer endpoint devices to be selected for receiving the mobile text message based on a time of day; and

forwarding, via the processor, the mobile text message to the customer based on a sender input, when the preference of the customer allows for processing of the mobile text message in accordance with the sender input, wherein the sender input comprises a specification of a particular type of customer endpoint device of the plurality of customer endpoint devices to which the mobile text message is to be forwarded.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the preference of the customer indicates to which of the plurality of customer endpoint devices the mobile text message is to be forwarded.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the preference of the customer is received by a service provider via a mobile phone.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the preference is based on an order of the plurality of customer endpoint devices in receiving the mobile text message.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a message waiting indicator along with the mobile text message, wherein the message waiting indicator indicates that a mobile text message is waiting to be viewed.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the message waiting indicator comprises an identity of a sender.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the preference is further based on a priority of the mobile text message.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a text messaging service, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

receiving a mobile text message destined to a customer;

determining a preference of the customer to whom the mobile text message is destined for forwarding the mobile text message, wherein the preference comprises a plurality of customer endpoint devices for receiving the mobile text message, wherein the plurality of customer endpoint devices comprises a mobile phone and a set-top box, wherein the preference further comprises a specification of at least one of the plurality of customer endpoint devices to be selected for receiving the mobile text message based on a time of day; and

forwarding the mobile text message to the customer based on a sender input, when the preference of the customer allows for processing of the mobile text message in accordance with the sender input, wherein the sender input comprises a specification of a particular type of customer endpoint device of the plurality of customer endpoint devices to which the mobile text message is to be forwarded.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the preference of the customer indicates to which of the plurality of customer endpoint devices the mobile text message is to be forwarded.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the preference of the customer is received by a service provider via a mobile phone.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the preference is based on an order of the plurality of customer endpoint devices in receiving the mobile text message.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, further comprising:

sending a message waiting indicator along with the mobile text message, wherein the message waiting indicator indicates that a mobile text message is waiting to be viewed.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 12, wherein the message waiting indicator comprises an identity of a sender.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 8, wherein the preference is further based on a priority of the mobile text message.

15. An apparatus comprising:

a processor of a text messaging service; and

a computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising;

receiving a mobile text message destined to a customer;

determining a preference of the customer to whom the mobile text message is destined for forwarding the mobile text message, wherein the preference comprises a plurality of customer endpoint devices for receiving the mobile text message, wherein the plurality of customer endpoint devices comprises a mobile phone and a set-top box, wherein the preference further comprises a specification of at least one of the plurality of customer endpoint devices to be selected for receiving the mobile text message based on a time of day; and

forwarding the mobile text message to the customer based on a sender input, when the preference of the customer allows for processing of the mobile text message in accordance with the sender input, wherein the sender input comprises a specification of a particular type of customer endpoint device of the plurality of customer endpoint devices to which the mobile text message is to be forwarded.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the preference of the customer indicates to which of the plurality of customer endpoint devices the mobile text message is to be forwarded.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the preference of the customer is received by a service provider via a mobile phone.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the preference is based on an order of the plurality of customer endpoint devices in receiving the mobile text message.

19. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising:

sending a message waiting indicator along with the mobile text message, wherein the message waiting indicator indicates that a mobile text message is waiting to be viewed.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the message waiting indicator comprises an identity of a sender.