Predictive communication routing scheme using instant messaging preferences and/or settings for routing packet traffic for voice, video and other multimedia communications

• US 20060023695A1
• Filed: 02/10/2005
• Published: 02/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R2 Solutions LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Yarlagadda, Madhu, Wan, Warren
• Granted Patent: US 8,223,747 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6443 Network Node Interface, e.g. Routing, Path finding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/41 Billing record details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure of call data record [CDR]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/43 Billing software details
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/651 Text message transmission triggered by call automatic reactions in messaging within packet-switching networks H04L51/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/0164 Billing record, e.g. Call Data Record [CDR], Toll Ticket[TT], Automatic Message Accounting [AMA], Call Line Identifier [CLI], details, i.e. parameters, identifiers, structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/2026 Wireless network, e.g. GSM, PCS, TACS
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/32 Involving wireless systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42263 where the same subscriber uses different terminals, i.e. nomadism
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42374 where the information is provided to a monitoring entity such as a potential calling party or a call processing server
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0024 Services and arrangements where telephone services are combined with data services arrangements which combine a telephonic equipment and a computer H04M7/0012
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0045 where the text-based messaging service is an instant messaging service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1205 where the types of switching equipement comprises PSTN/ISDN equipment and switching equipment of networks other than PSTN/ISDN, e.g. Internet Protocol networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 : A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1307 : Call setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 : Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 : Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1315 : Call waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13173 : Busy signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1318 : Ringing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13335 : Simulation, emulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13336 : Store & forward, messaging systems email H04Q2213/13375
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 : involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/76 : Translation from the called subscriber's number to the outgoing or incoming control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 : Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/02 : Communication route or path selection, e.g. power-based or shortest path routing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/18 : based on predicted events
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 : Network addressing or numbering for mobility support
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/00 : Wireless network protocols or protocol adaptations to wireless operation

Abstract

Techniques for using instant messaging preferences and settings are used for predictive communications, including routing of data traffic, are provided. A voice call can be routed over a packet-based network if a voice network is not available, or for other reasons. In addition to voice calls, embodiments of the invention can route video calls, multimedia communications and other communications. In some implementations, an instant message presence can be queried for in determining how to route a voice-over-IP or PSTN telephone call. Thus, a call might be routed to a computer or computing device unrelated to the location of the PSTN telephone line being called, if an associated instant messenger presence is detected on that computer or computing device.

Claims

1. A method for routing calls for a number using an instant message (IM) server, the method comprising:

receiving a call for the number from a PSTN telecommunications device;

determining routing preferences for the number, the routing preferences indicating if the call should be routed to one or more IM usernames associated with the number;

determining if any of the one or more IM usernames associated with the number are on-line; and

ringing the on-line IM usernames for the call.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the call is automatically forwarded from the PSTN telecommunications device to the IM server.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising ringing a PSTN phone for the number in addition to the ringing of the on-line IM usernames.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining if an on-line client answers the call using the IM username; and

suppressing the ringing of on-line IM usernames other than the on-line IM username that answered the ringing.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising stopping the ringing of a PSTN phone when the on-line IM username answers the ringing using the IM client.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

looking up the number in a personal address book (PAB) for the IM username;

determining a personal identifier for the number from the PAB; and

displaying the personal identifier on an IM client.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the PAB is located at the IM server.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

looking up the number in a personal address book (PAB) for the IM username;

if the number is not in the PAB, determining identification information for the number; and

adding the personal information to the PAB for the IM username.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if any IM usernames are on-line comprises determining a presence for the IM username;

and

using the presence to determine if the IM username is on-line.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining if an on-line client answers the call using the IM username; and

changing the status of the on-line client that answered the ringing.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein changing the status comprising:

changing the status of the on-line client for one or more groups in a plurality of groups.

12. A method for routing calls for a number, the method comprising:

receiving a call for the number;

determining routing preferences for the number, the routing preferences indicating if the call should be routed to IM clients associated with the number; and

if the preferences indicate the call should be routed to the IM clients, routing the call for the number to an IM server, wherein the IM server is configured to determine if any instant messaging (IM) usernames associated with the number are on-line and if so, ring the on-line IM usernames for the call.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the routing preferences indicate that calls for the number should be forwarded to the IM server.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the routing preferences indicate that calls for the number should be forwarded to the IM server if the number is busy.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the call is a PSTN call.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the call is a VOIP call.

17. A system for routing calls, the system comprising:

a telecommunications device configured to receive a PSTN call;

an IM server comprising logic configured to;

determine routing preferences for the number, the routing preferences indicating if the call should be routed to one or more IM usernames associated with the number;

determine if any of the one or more IM usernames associated with the number are on-line; and

ring the on-line IM usernames for the call.

18. The system of claim 17, further comprising an IM client configured to receive the call for the on-line IM usernames.

19. The system of claim 17, further comprising a PSTN telephone configured to receive the call from the telecommunications device.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the call is sent through a PSTN network using the PSTN telecommunications device.

21. The system of claim 17, wherein the call is sent through a packet-based network using the IM server.