Contextual communications

• US 20050085243A1
• Filed: 09/28/2004
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Inventors: Tillinger, Bruce Emery, Boyer, David Gray
• Application Number:
  US10/951,386
• Publication Number:
  US 20050085243A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/463
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

A method is disclosed to streamline the process of collaboration. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, a plurality of individuals are associated with an electronic document or application of interest. The illustrative embodiment includes the operations of activating the document or application and then initiating communication between at least some of the associated individuals by a single action or command.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

activating at least one of an electronic document or an application, wherein a plurality of individuals are associated with said electronic document or application; and

initiating communication between a user of said electronic document or application and at least one of said plurality of individuals by a single command.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the operation of initiating communication is performed by actuating a button.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said button is a soft key.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said operation of initiating communication is accomplished by a voice command.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said communication is selected from the group consisting of a notification, a conference, and a collaboration.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein, when said communication is a notification, initiating communication comprises sending a message to at least said one individual.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein initiating communication further comprises:

receiving a response from said at least one individual; and

admitting said at least one individual to a conference.

8. The method of claim 5 wherein said conference is one of a telephone call between said user and said at least one individual or an instant messaging session between said user and said at least one individual.

9. The method of claim 5 wherein said collaboration comprises sharing said electronic document or application between said user and said at least one individual.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein sharing comprises pushing said one document or application through a contextual collaboration portal.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating communication comprises accessing contact information that is provided for at least said one individual.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein initiating communication further comprises placing a telephone call to said at least one individual.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein initiating communication further comprises pushing said one document or application to said at least one individual.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein initiating communication further comprises determining if said at least one individual is available.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein initiating communication further comprises not establishing a conference call when said at least one individual is not available.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of individuals includes said user.

17. A method comprising:

activating at least one of an electronic document or an application that is stored on an electronic device, wherein a data structure associated with said electronic document or application comprises a listing of a plurality of individuals that are associated with said electronic document or application; and

establishing communication with at least one of said individuals via a single command issued to said electronic device by a user.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein establishing communication comprises:

accessing said listing; and

calling said at least one individual.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein establishing communication comprises:

accessing said listing;

calling said at least one individual; and

sharing said document or application between said user and said at least one individual.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein establishing communication comprises:

accessing said listing;

accessing a presence server; and

calling said one individual.

21. A method comprising:

identifying as active at least one of an electronic document or an application, wherein a plurality of individuals are associated with said document or application; and

receiving a command to establish communication between at least two of said individuals; and

establishing communication between said at least two individuals.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein establishing communication comprises establishing a conference between said at least two individuals.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein establishing communication further comprises sharing said at least one electronic document or application between said at least two individuals.