Method and apparatus for interfacing an IM network from a network IM client to a remote interface device

• US 7,761,526 B2
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Issued: 07/20/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Broadsoft Incorporated (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Casabi, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koverman, Chris, Pounds, Greg, Maxwell, Gary L., Kusumi, Timothy, Kwo, Stephen
• Primary Examiner(s): Flynn; Nathan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Park; Jeong S
• Application Number:
  US11/931,043
• Publication Number:
  US 20080049914A1
• Time in Patent Office: 993 Days
• Field of Search: 709204-207, 709/224
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0251 Targeted advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0255 based on user history
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0256 User search
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0257 User requested
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0277 Online advertisement
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/103 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/104 in the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1069 Session establishment or de-establishment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/401 wherein the services involve a main real-time session and one or more additional parallel real-time or time sensitive sessions, e.g. white board sharing or spawning of a subconference
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/06 specially adapted for file transfer, e.g. file transfer protocol [FTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/55 Push-based network services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/60 Scheduling or organising the servicing of application requests, e.g. requests for application data transmissions using the analysis and optimisation of the required network resources admission control or resource allocation H04L47/70
• 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 1/2757 : by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72406 : by software upgrading or downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 : with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72445 : for supporting Internet browser applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72502 : with one base station connected to a single line
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 : including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/08 : home cordless telephone systems using the DECT standard
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0045 : where the text-based messaging service is an instant messaging service

Abstract

A method and apparatus turns a typical home telephone system into a platform for delivery of web based content and services. The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a broadband enabled telephone system for the home and a series of web servers that collect, package, and deliver personalized content and services to all of the telephone handsets throughout the home. With this end-to-end solution, any information or services available via the web can be delivered through a broadband enabled telephone system. Through the web, each member of a family can build a profile which defines what information and services they want available through the handset. In addition, each handset can be dynamically personalized for any family member. The color screens on the handsets become windows through which an individual can view and interact with a broad range of content and services. The audio channels thus become an extension of the voice based services, such as messaging and voice chat.

Claims

1. A communications apparatus, comprising:

a single, network-based IM client situated on a server, said IM client comprising an interface from multiple endpoints of presence to an IM network;

each of said multiple endpoints of presence comprising a handset that is in communication with a single, separate home telephone system base station via a session initiation protocol that is, in turn, in communication with said IM client via an IM protocol such that said handset obtains IM functionality without requiring the ability to decipher IM protocol;

wherein a firewall/router separate the home telephone system base station from said IM client situated on said server;

wherein the firewall/router includes;

a security module;

caching and content facilities;

personalization modules; and

call handling modules;

wherein state of said home telephone system base station and state of any IM sessions associated with said users devices are maintained by said IM client on said server independently ; and

means associated with said IM client for using event notification for IM session synchronization amongst said handsets that are in communication with said home telephone system base station;

wherein multiple, independent endpoints of presence are in communication with said IM network via said IM client; and

wherein multiple users can simultaneously access a same IM network with a separate handset from a single, network-based IM client via a single, separate home telephone system base station.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, said network-based IM client, said handsets, and said home telephone system base station collectively comprising:

a broadband enabled telephone system in which SIP messages are sent to and from a SIP end point.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, said home telephone system base station comprising:

at least one base station comprising;

a first communications facility;

a broadband network connection for establishing and maintaining broadband access to said network via said first communications facility; and

a second communications facility for interacting with, and maintaining profile information for, a plurality of handsets.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, each said handset comprising:

means for communicating with, and uniquely identifying itself to, said base station via said second communications facility; and

client means for providing an interface to a handset user by which said user operates a handset to interact with said network via said base station and by which said user builds a profile which defines what information and services are provided to a user through a particular handset;

wherein said base station acts as a proxy for said handsets;

wherein said base station stores said profile information; and

wherein each handset can be dynamically personalized for a plurality of users by user selection of a particular handset profile stored in said base station via said client means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, said network-based IM client comprising:

at least one server for collecting, packaging, and delivering personalized content and services on demand to each of said handsets via said base station in accordance with profile information contained on said base station for said handsets;

wherein information and services available via said network are delivered to a plurality of users of a plurality of handsets through said broadband enabled telephone system.

6. A communications method, comprising the steps of:

providing a single, network-based IM client situated on a server, said IM client comprising an interface from multiple endpoints of presence to an IM network;

each of said multiple endpoints of presence comprising a handset that is in communication with a single, separate home telephone system base station via a session initiation protocol that is, in turn, in communication with said IM client via an IM protocol such that said handset obtains IM functionality without requiring the ability to decipher IM protocol;

wherein a firewall/router separate the home telephone system base station from said IM client situated on said server;

wherein the firewall/router includes;

a security module;

caching and content facilities;

personalization modules; and

call handling modules;

wherein state of said home telephone system base station via a session initiation protocol and state of any IM sessions associated with said users devices are maintained by said IM client on said server independently; and

providing means associated with said IM client for using event notification for IM session synchronization amongst said handsets that are in communication with said home telephone system base station via a session initiation protocol;

wherein multiple, independent endpoints of presence are in communication with said IM network via said IM client; and

wherein multiple users can simultaneously access a same IM network with a separate handset from a single, network-based IM client via a single, separate home telephone system base station via a session initiation protocol.

7. The method of claim 6, said network-based IM client, said handsets, and said home telephone system base station via a session initiation protocol collectively comprising:

a broadband enabled telephone system in which SIP messages are sent to and from a SIP end point.

8. The method of claim 7, said home telephone system base station via a session initiation protocol being provided by the step comprising:

providing at least one base station comprising;

a first communications facility;

a broadband network connection for establishing and maintaining broadband access to said network via said first communications facility; and

a second communications facility for interacting with, and maintaining profile information for, a plurality of handsets.

9. The method of claim 8, each said handset being provided by the step comprising:

means for communicating with, and uniquely identifying itself to, said base station via said second communications facility; and

client means for providing an interface to a handset user by which said user operates a handset to interact with said network via said base station and by which said user builds a profile which defines what information and services are provided to a user through a particular handset;

wherein said base station acts as a proxy for said handsets;

wherein said base station stores said profile information; and

wherein each handset can be dynamically personalized for a plurality of users by user selection of a particular handset profile stored in said base station via said client means.

10. The method of claim 9, said network-based IM client being provided by the step comprising:

providing at least one server for collecting, packaging, and delivering personalized content and services on demand to each of said handsets via said base station in accordance with profile information contained on said base station for said handsets;

wherein information and services available via said network are delivered to a plurality of users of a plurality of handsets through said broadband enabled telephone system.