Selectable replay of buffered conversation in a VOIP session

• US 20070133524A1
• Filed: 12/09/2005
• Published: 06/14/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: R2 Solutions LLC (Acacia Research Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Yahoo! Inc. (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kwon, Ohsuk
• Granted Patent: US 7,869,579 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/356
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1083 In-session procedures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1094 Inter-user-equipment sessions transfer or sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/70 Media network packetisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/656 for recording conversations

Abstract

A system, method, and apparatus are directed to enabling a user to record VOIP conversations for selective instant replay. The VOIP conversation may be automatically recorded upon initiation of the conversation, or the user may select to record at least a portion of the VOIP conversation. At any point during the VOIP conversation, the user may select to bookmark a position for later replay. During the VOIP conversation, the user may select to instantly replay at least some of the recorded VOIP conversation. The user may select to instantly replay from a beginning of the recorded conversation, from the bookmarked position, or from a pre-determined time interval into the recorded conversation. Upon completion of the instant replay, the user may then return to a latest chronological rewind position within the recorded VOEP conversation. The other party may also be provided an indicator that the conversation is being recorded.

Claims

1. A method of managing a VOIP session over a network, comprising:

establishing the VOIP session over the network, wherein the VOIP session enables a VOIP conversation between two parties;

enabling at least one party to record at least a portion of the VOIP conversation; and

if a request to rewind to a position within the recorded VOIP conversation is received, automatically rewinding to and instantly replaying the VOIP conversation from the requested position.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein enabling the user to record further comprises providing a user interface accessible through an Instant Messaging (IM) application.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the request to rewind further comprises at least one of a request to rewind to a bookmark, rewind to a beginning, or rewind by an pre-determined interval.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing a message to the other party indicating that the VOIP conversation is being recorded.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein enabling at least a portion of the VOIP conversation to be recorded further comprises, recording a pre-determined duration of the VOIP conversation using a sliding window, or recording the entire VOIP conversation.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

enabling recording of at least another portion of the VOIP conversation during rewind and instant replay of the VOIP conversation.

7. A modulated data signal configured to include program instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

8. A system for managing a VOIP session over a network, comprising:

a replay buffer that is operative to store VOIP conversation data;

a VOIP component that is operative to establish the VOIP session for enabling a VOIP conversation over the network; and

a selectable replay component that is operative to perform actions, including;

recording to the replay buffer at least a portion of the VOIP conversation; and

if a request to rewind to a position within the recorded VOIP conversation is received, automatically rewinding to and instantly replaying the VOIP conversation from the requested position.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the selectable replay component is integrated within the VOIP component.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the selectable replay component is operative to perform actions, further including:

providing a message over the network indicating that the VOIP conversation is being recorded.

11. The system of claim 8, further comprising:

a user interface that is operative to receive a user selection for managing recording and replay of the VOIP conversation, including at least one of a button, icon, or menu arranged to enable selection of at least one of recording the VOIP conversation, pausing a replay, bookmarking a position within the recorded VOIP conversation, or rewinding the recorded VOIP conversation.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein recording to the replay buffer is automatically initiated upon establishing of the VOIP session.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein the system resides within a mobile device.

14. The system of claim 8, wherein the request to rewind further comprises at least one of a request to rewind to a bookmark, rewind to a beginning, or rewind by an pre-determined interval.

15. A client device that is operative to manage a VOIP conversation over a network, comprising:

a buffer component for storing VOIP conversation data;

a processing component for executing data that enables actions, including;

automatically recording the VOIP conversation when a VOIP session is established with another client device;

automatically sending a message to the other client device indicating that the VOIP conversation is being recorded; and

if a request to rewind to a position within the recorded VOIP conversation is received, automatically replaying the VOIP conversation from the requested position.

16. The client device of claim 15, the actions further comprising:

if a request to return to the VOIP conversation is received, automatically sending a message to the other client device, indicating that a user of the client device has returned to VOIP conversation.

17. The client device of claim 15, wherein if a request to rewind to a position within the recorded VOIP conversation is received, further comprises automatically sending a message to the other client device indicating that the client device is in a pause mode.

18. The client device of claim 15, wherein the buffer component is arranged to operate to at least one of record an entire VOIP conversation, or to record a portion of the VOIP conversation based in part on a sliding buffer window.

19. A processor readable medium that includes data, wherein the execution of the data provides for the management of a VOIP conversation over a network by enabling actions, including:

recording the VOIP conversation when a VOIP session is established;

automatically sending a message indicating that the VOIP conversation is being recorded;

if a request to rewind to a position within the recorded VOIP conversation is received, automatically replaying the VOIP conversation from the requested position; and

if a request to return to the VOIP is received, returning the VOIP conversation at a latest chronological rewind position.

20. The processor readable medium of claim 19, wherein if a request to rewind is received further comprises continuing to record the VOIP conversation during rewind and replay.