Call completion via instant communications client

• US 7,917,581 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2003
• Issued: 03/29/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Business Global LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Mumford, Gregory L., Gunasekar, Duraisamy, Moore, Richard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chang; Jungwon
• Application Number:
  US10/636,789
• Publication Number:
  US 20040086100A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,792 Days
• Field of Search: 709204-206, 704/3, 704/270.1, 704/260, 705/39, 705/77, 379/88.17, 379/211, 379/202.01, 379/114.29, 379/52, 379/88.1, 379/201.01, 455/405, 455/406, 370/261, 370/389
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/085 involving remote charge determination or related payment systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/26 Speech to text systems G10L15/08 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1403 Architecture for metering, charging or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1822 Conducting the conference, e.g. admission, detection, selection or grouping of participants, correlating users to one or more conference sessions, prioritising transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1827 Network arrangements for conference optimisation or adaptation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/308 Route determination based on user's profile, e.g. premium users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• 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 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1016 IP multimedia subsystem [IMS]
• 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 65/80 Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/14 Session management for real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/1066
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/54 : Presence management, e.g. monitoring or registration for receipt of user log-on information, or the connection status of the users
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 : Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 : in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 : Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/00 : Arrangements for metering, time-control or time indication ; Metering, charging or billing arrangements for voice wireline or wireless communications, e.g. VoIP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/07 : Split billing, i.e. both A-party and B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/08 : Metering calls to called party , i.e. B-party charged for the communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/09 : Third party charged communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/51 : for resellers, retailers or service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/55 : for hybrid networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/56 : for VoIP communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/57 : for integrated multimedia messaging subsystem [IMS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/63 : based on the content carried by the session initiation protocol [SIP] messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/7655 : shared by technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/77 : involving multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/772 : per service, e.g. prepay or post-pay
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/8292 : Charging for signaling or unsuccessful connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/83 : Notification aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 17/00 : Prepayment of wireline communication systems, wireless communication systems or telephone systems using a coded card to authorise calls from a telephone set H04M1/675
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 : Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2066 : Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4509 : Unified messaging with single point of access to voicemail and other mail or messaging systems unified messaging in packet switching networks H04L51/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 : Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/202 : VoIP; Packet switched telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/208 : IMS, i.e. Integrated Multimedia messaging Subsystem
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/44 : Charging/billing arrangements for connection made over different networks, e.g. wireless and PSTN, ISDN, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/54 : Resellers-retail or service providers billing, e.g. agreements with telephone service operator, activation, charging/recharging of accounts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/62 : Called party billing, e.g. reverse billing, freephone, collect call, 0800 or 0900
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/64 : Split billing, sharing the cost of calls, e.g. between calling and called parties
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/66 : Third party billing, i.e. third party can also be the predetermined telephone line of the caller if he is calling from another telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/725 : Shared by technologies, e.g. one account for different access technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7254 : Multiple accounts per user
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/7263 : per service, e.g. prepay and post-pay
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/82 : Advice-of-Charge [AOC], i.e. notify subscriber of charges/cumulative charge; meter at the substation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 : Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42127 : Systems providing several special services or facilities from groups H04M3/42008 - H04M3/58
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 : Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 : Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 : Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 : Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5322 : for recording text messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53308 : Message originator indirectly connected to the message centre, e.g. after detection of busy or absent state of a called party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0003 : Interconnection between telephone networks and data networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0036 : where the data service is an information service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0045 : where the text-based messaging service is an instant messaging service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/126 : Interworking of session control protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/128 : Details of addressing, directories or routing tables
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/1295 : Details of dual tone multiple frequency signalling

Abstract

A system is disclosed for achieving completion of a telephone call by way of an instant communications client.

Claims

1. A method of providing a service to a first party using a telephony connection to connect to a second party using an instant communication client, wherein interactive voice services are provided to the first party, the method comprising:

receiving indication from the first party, via the interactive voice services, that the first party desires to communicate with the second party who is using the instant communications client;

carrying communications among the first party and the second party,

wherein the first party engages in communication using audio information via the telephony connection and the second party engages in communication using textual information via the instant communications client; and

receiving billing information from the first party relating to how charges for the service of connecting the first party using the telephony connection to the second party using the instant communication client are to be paid.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

indicating to the first party whether the second party may be accessible via the instant communications client.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the indicating to the first party is responsive to a presence state pertaining to the second party.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the indicating to the first party is responsive to a capabilities profile pertaining to the second party.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

indicating to the first party, via the interactive voice services, whether the second party will employ textual information to communicate via the instant communications client.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising:

receiving indication from the first party, via the interactive voice services, as to whether the first party desires to proceed with communicating with the second party based on whether the second party will employ textual information to communicate via the instant communications client.

7. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing to the first party a telephone number that, when called by the first party, signifies the desire of the first party to engage in communications via the instant communications client used by the second party.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

indicating to the first party, via the interactive voice services, whether the second party is reachable by telephone.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

indicating to the first party, via the interactive voice services, that communications will proceed with the second party via the instant communications client.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

indicating to the first party, via the interactive voice services, a language indicator specifying a language of communication to be used in communicating with the second party.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

sending to the first party audio information corresponding to textual information from the second party.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein an aspect of sending the audio information corresponding to the textual information is affected by preference information pertaining to at least one of the first party, the second party and the instant communications client.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

receiving the preference information from at least one of the first party, the second party or the instant communications client.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the aspect relates to a language-related preference associated with the first party.

15. The method of claim 12 wherein the aspect relates to at least one of a language and a dialect used by the second party.

16. The method of claim 12 wherein the aspect relates to a voice characteristic imparted to synthesized speech in the audio information.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein an aspect of how the audio information is to be converted into corresponding textual information is affected by preference information pertaining to at least one of the first party, the second party and the instant communications client.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

receiving the preference information from at least one of the first party, the second party or the instant communications client.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the aspect relates to a language-related preference associated with the first party.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein the aspect relates to at least one of a language and a dialect used by the second party.

21. The method of claim 17 wherein the aspect relates to an identifier to be presented in the textual information to the second party as a screen name identity representing the first party.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein the aspect relates to spelling of words used in the textual information.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the characteristic of the audio information includes at least one of:

pitch, loudness, emphatic speech signals or soft-spoken speech signals.

24. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving from the first party an identifier to be presented in the textual information to the second party as a screen name identity representing the first party.

25. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving from the first party an identifier corresponding to at least one of the second party and the instant communications client, wherein the providing communications among the first party and the second party is responsive to the identifier.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein a sound in the audio information is associated with a corresponding emoticon in the textual information.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the audio information selectively comprises the sound based upon the occurrence of the emoticon provided in the textual information.

28. The method of claim 26 wherein an aspect of the association between the sound in the audio information and the corresponding emoticon in the textual information is affected by preference information pertaining to at least one of the first party, the second party and the instant communications client.

29. The method of claim 26 wherein the audio information comprises the sound to cause the emoticon to selectively be provided in the textual information.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein the sound comprises a DTMF signal.

31. The method of claim 29 wherein an aspect of the association between the sound in the audio information and the corresponding emoticon in the textual information is affected by preference information pertaining to at least one of the first party, the second party and the instant communications client.

32. The method of claim 29 wherein the emoticon is displayed to the second party.

33. The method of claim 32 wherein the sound comprises a spoken command invoking the emoticon.

34. The method of claim 26 wherein the audio information comprises the sound to cause the emoticon to selectively be provided in the textual information.

35. The method of claim 34 wherein the sound comprises a DTMF signal.

36. The method of claim 34 wherein an aspect of associating the sound in the audio information with the corresponding emoticon in the textual information is affected by preference information pertaining to at least one of the first party, the second party and the instant communications client.

37. The method of claim 34 wherein the emoticon is displayed to the second party.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the sound comprises a spoken command invoking the emoticon.

39. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving from the first party audio information to be converted into corresponding textual information to be provided to the second party.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the corresponding textual information comprises rich text, and an attribute of the rich text is varied in response to a characteristic of the audio information.

41. A method of providing a service to a first party using an instant communications client to connect to a second party using a telephony connection, the method comprising:

indicating to the instant communications client that the second party using the telephony connection desires to communicate with the first party, wherein the second party communicates the desire to communicate with the first party via interactive voice services;

providing communications among the first party and the second party,

wherein the first party engages in communication using textual information via the instant communications client and the second party engages in communication using audio information via the telephony connection; and

receiving billing information from the first party relating to how charges for the service of connecting the first party using the instant communications client to the second party using the telephony connection are to be paid.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the indicating to the instant communications client is responsive to a presence state pertaining to the first party.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein the indicating to the instant communications client is responsive to a capabilities profile pertaining to the first party.

44. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

receiving indication from the instant communications client as to whether the first party desires to communicate with the second party via the instant communications client.

45. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

receiving indication from the instant communications client as to whether the first party prefers to engage in textual communications via the instant communications client.

46. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

indicating to the first party that communications with the second party will be performed via the instant communications client.

47. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

sending to the instant communications client an identifier representing the identity of the second party.

48. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

indicating to the first party a language indicator specifying a language of communication to be used in communicating with the second party.

49. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

receiving from the first party textual information to be converted into corresponding audio information to be provided to the second party.

50. The method of claim 49 wherein an aspect of how the textual information is converted into corresponding audio information is affected by preference information pertaining to at least one of the first party, the second party and the instant communications client.

51. The method of claim 50 further comprising:

receiving the preference information from at least one of the first party, the second party or the instant communications client.

52. The method of claim 50 wherein the aspect relates to at least one of a language preference or a dialect preference associated with the first party.

53. The method of claim 50 wherein the aspect relates to at least one of a language or a dialect used by the second party.

54. The method of claim 50 wherein the aspect relates to a voice characteristic imparted to synthesized speech in the audio information.

55. The method of claim 41 wherein an aspect of sending the textual information corresponding to the audio information is affected by preference information pertaining to at least one of the first party, the second party and the instant communications client.

56. The method of claim 55 further comprising:

receiving the preference information from at least one of the first party, the second party or the instant communications client.

57. The method of claim 55 wherein the aspect relates to at least one of a language preference or a dialect preference associated with the first party.

58. The method of claim 55 wherein the aspect relates to a language or a dialect used by the second party.

59. The method of claim 55 wherein the aspect relates to spelling of words used in the textual information.

60. The method of claim 41 wherein the characteristic of the audio information includes at least one of:

pitch, loudness, emphatic speech signals or soft-spoken speech signals.

61. The method of claim 41, wherein a sound in the audio information is associated with a corresponding emoticon in the textual information.

62. The method of claim 61 wherein the audio information selectively comprises the sound based upon the occurrence of the emoticon provided in the textual information.

63. The method of claim 62 wherein an aspect of the association between the emoticon in the textual information and the corresponding sound in the audio information is affected by preference information pertaining to at least one of the first party, the second party and the instant communications client.

64. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

sending to the first party textual information corresponding to audio information from the second party, wherein the corresponding textual information comprises rich text and an attribute of the rich text is varied in response to a characteristic of the audio information.