Method and apparatus for controllable communication

• US 8,712,397 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2005
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Guang Feng
• Original Assignee: Guang Feng
• Inventors: Feng, Guang
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Tuan A
• Application Number:
  US11/194,906
• Publication Number:
  US 20060212561A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,192 Days
• Field of Search: 455410-411, 4554121-4122, 455/413, 4554141-4144, 455/415, 455418-420, 455/445, 455/41.2, 715741-748, 705 64- 79
• US Class Current: 455/420
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/40 Authorisation, e.g. identification of payer or payee, verification of customer or shop credentials; Review and approval of payers, e.g. check credit lines or negative lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0227 Filtering policies mail message filtering H04L51/212

Abstract

Communication and a communications apparatus are controlled with a communication intermediating apparatus. Multiple methods of processing communication requests are provided. Decided rules comprising of pairs of identification information of communication requests and methods of processing are recorded beforehand. When a communication request is received, the identification of the communication request is distinguished, an applying rule is picked from the recorded rules, and the communication request is processed. A virtual account to be set maximum payment amount beforehand is used, and electronic transactions communication is done.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

first-determination means for determining whether any member on a list of addresses is included in a request;

second-determination means, responsive to a first-negative-determination, for determining whether a condition is satisfied;

means, responsive to a second-positive-determination that said condition is satisfied, for causing a control action; and

means, responsive to a second-negative-determination that said condition is not satisfied, for causing a limitation action;

said list of addresses comprising at least one address;

said request being information that is received before a purpose of a source of said request is achieved;

said first-negative-determination being a determination that each member on said list is not included in said request;

said control action being an action of performing use of a resource for achieving said purpose;

said limitation action being an action of limiting said use; and

said limitation action comprising an action of sending return information to said source for achieving said purpose.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resource is a storage device.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said resource is a time from beginning to end of use of said storage device.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said purpose includes delivery of communication contents;

said time is time from beginning to end of said delivery;

said control action comprises an action of finishing said use after perfecting said delivery; and

said limitation action comprises an action of finishing said use before perfecting said delivery.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein:

said request is an email;

said address is an email address;

said limitation action comprises an action of replying with said return information;

said condition is satisfied when an email is received, said email including a specified keyword; and

said return information is information promoting said source to send said email.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said resource is a capacity of said storage device for storing communication contents;

said purpose includes delivery of said communication contents;

said request is a part of said communication contents;

said control action comprises an action of storing said communication contents;

said limitation action comprises an action of storing said part.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein:

said part is a header of an email;

said address is an email address;

said limitation action comprises an action of replying with said return information;

said condition is satisfied when a header of an email is received, said header including a specified keyword; and

said return information is information promoting said source to send said email.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resource is a communication channel capacity.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

said purpose includes delivery of communication contents;

said capacity is capacity for perfecting said delivery;

said control action comprises an action of finishing communication after perfecting said delivery; and

said limitation action comprises an action of finishing said communication before perfecting said delivery.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

said request is a header of an email;

said communication contents is said email;

said address is an email address;

said limitation action comprises an action of replying with said return information;

said condition is satisfied when a header of an email is received, said header including a specified keyword; and

said return information is information promoting said source to send said email.

11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

said purpose includes initiating a communication with an entity;

said request includes an address of said entity;

said request represents a transmission request for transmitting said request to said entity;

said capacity includes a capacity for transmitting said request to said entity;

said control action comprises an action of permitting said transmission request;

said limitation action comprises an action of rejecting said transmission request;

said condition is satisfied when security information agrees with registered information, said security information being information inputted from said source; and

said return information is information promoting said source to input said security information.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said resource includes means for causing a notification to a party.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

said notification is a ringing sound;

said resource includes means for talking with said source;

said address is a telephone number;

said request is a incoming telephone call;

said request includes a telephone number of said source;

said condition is satisfied when an operation is performed, said operation being an operation for answering said call;

said control action comprises an action of performing said talking with said source;

said limitation action comprises an action of stopping said ringing sound before said operation is performed; and

said return information is audio information promoting said source to send a voice message.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

said address is a telephone number;

said request includes a telephone number of said source;

said condition is satisfied when specified information is received;

said limitation action comprises an action of rejecting said use; and

said return information is a voice guidance message promoting said source to send said specified information.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said specified information is selected from the group consisting of a number entered via a keypad, a voice, and an image.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for causing a notification is means for transmitting a call to a telephone.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein:

said request is an email; and

said notification is a notification for displaying that said email has been received.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein:

said limitation action comprises an action of rejecting said use before an operation is performed, said operation being an operation for answering a incoming telephone call;

said return information is information to report a wait status to said source,

said wait status representing a status waiting for said operation to be performed; and

said control action comprises an action without intervention by a party who is on the destination side of said request.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

said resource includes a means for determining status information of a status of a device on the destination side of said request; and

said control action comprises an action of sending said status information to said source.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

said status is a position;

said means for determining is GPS (Global Positioning System) means for determining position data of said position; and

said status information is said position data.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

said status is a position; and

said status information is a position data, said position data representing position of a cellular phone based on position of cellular phone base stations.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

said status is a change of a status;

said means for determining is a means for determining information of said change; and

said status information includes said information of said change.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said change is selected from the group consisting of a change of a position, and a change of a speed.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein said action of sending is performed when said change occurs.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein:

said means for determining is a means for determining status of a communication program, said status including an online status, said online status representing that said program is ready for communication.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

said resource includes a camera; and

said control action comprises an action of sending images to said source.

27. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

said resource includes a microphone; and

said control action comprises an action of sending sound to said source.

28. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein:

said resource includes information output means for outputting information to said party; and

said control action comprises an action of outputting information to said party.

29. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said resource includes a storage device.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein:

said storage device is a device for storing a direction file, said direction file being configuration information for customizing behavior of said apparatus, said configuration information including said address; and

said control action comprises an action of changing said configuration information.

31. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said resource includes a control means for receiving a command and for executing said command.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein said control means is a means for controlling an outside device.

33. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said resource includes a program that is available for executing on a computer system.

34. The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said program is a communication program.

35. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said condition is satisfied when specified information is received.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said specified information is determined by a mechanism.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein:

said specified mechanism is a mechanism for using a one-time passwords (OTP); and

said information is said OTP.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein:

said return information is information promoting said source to send said specified information; and

said return information includes information for determining said specified information.

39. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said address is an Internet protocol (IP) address.

40. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said address is a URL.

41. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for causing an action of updating said list;

and

wherein a first-positive-determination is a determination that any member on said list is included in said request.

42. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising:

means, responsive to said first-positive-determination, for causing said control action; and

wherein said updating comprises adding an address included in said request to said list.

43. The apparatus of claim 41, further comprising:

means, responsive to said first-positive-determination, for causing an inhibiting action; and

wherein said inhibiting action is an action of rejecting said use; and

said updating comprises adding an address included in said request to said list.

44. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said updating comprises deleting an address from said list.

45. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for communicating with a server; and

means for receiving said request from said server; and

wherein said request is a request stored in said server for achieving said purpose.

46. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

means for receiving requests from a plurality of sources; and

means for transmitting requests to a plurality of destinations.

121. A method comprising the steps of:

establishing a communication connection with an apparatus of claim 1;

communicating with said apparatus.

122. The method of claim 121, wherein said resource is a storage device.

123. The method of claim 122, wherein said resource is a time from beginning to end of use of said storage device.

124. The method of claim 123, wherein said purpose includes delivery of communication contents;

said time is time from beginning to end of said delivery;

said control action comprises an action of finishing said use after perfecting said delivery; and

said limitation action comprises an action of finishing said use before perfecting said delivery.

125. The method of claim 124, wherein:

said request is an email;

said address is an email address;

said limitation action comprises an action of replying with said return information;

said condition is satisfied when an email is received, said email including a specified keyword; and

said return information is information promoting said source to send said email.

126. The method of claim 122, wherein said resource is a capacity of said storage device for storing communication contents;

said purpose includes delivery of said communication contents;

said request is a part of said communication contents;

said control action comprises an action of storing said communication contents;

said limitation action comprises an action of storing said part.

127. The method of claim 126, wherein:

said part is a header of an email;

said address is an email address;

said limitation action comprises an action of replying with said return information;

said condition is satisfied when a header of an email is received, said header including a specified keyword; and

said return information is information promoting said source to send said email.

128. The method of claim 121, wherein said resource is a communication channel capacity.

129. The method of claim 128, wherein:

said purpose includes delivery of communication contents;

said capacity is capacity for perfecting said delivery;

said control action comprises an action of finishing communication after perfecting said delivery; and

said limitation action comprises an action of finishing said communication before perfecting said delivery.

130. The method of claim 129, wherein:

said request is a header of an email;

said communication contents is said email;

said address is an email address;

said limitation action comprises an action of replying with said return information;

said condition is satisfied when a header of an email is received, said header including a specified keyword; and

said return information is information promoting said source to send said email.

131. The method of claim 121, wherein said condition is satisfied when specified information is received.

132. The method of claim 131, wherein said specified information is determined by a mechanism.

133. The method of claim 132, wherein:

said specified mechanism is a mechanism for using a one-time passwords (OTP); and

said information is said OTP.

134. The method of claim 131, wherein:

said return information is information promoting said source to send said specified information; and

said return information includes information for determining said specified information.

135. The method of claim 121, wherein said address is an Internet protocol (IP) address.

136. The method of claim 121, further comprising causing an action of updating said list;

and

wherein a first-positive-determination is a determination that any member 144 on said list is included in said request.

137. The method of claim 136, further comprising:

responsive to said first-positive-determination, causing said control action; and

wherein said updating comprises adding an address included in said request to said list.

138. The method of claim 136, further comprising:

responsive to said first-positive-determination, causing an inhibiting action; and

wherein said inhibiting action is an action of rejecting said use; and

said updating comprises adding an address included in said request to said list.

139. The method of claim 136, wherein said updating comprises deleting an address from said list.

140. The method of claim 121, further comprising:

receiving requests from a plurality of sources; and

transmitting requests to a plurality of destinations.

47. An apparatus comprising:

determination means for determining whether any member on a list of identification information is included in a request;

means, responsive to a positive determination, for causing a control action; and

means for causing a limitation action;

said list of identification information comprising at least one identification information;

said request being information that is received before a purpose of a source of said request is achieved;

said identification information being an original information that can be determined by a user;

said positive determination being a determination that any member on said list is included in said request;

said control action being an action of performing use of a resource for achieving said purpose;

said limitation action comprising a notification, said notification being a ringing sound; and

said control action comprising inhibiting said notification.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein:

said resource includes a means for determining status information of a status of a device on the destination side of said request; and

said control action comprises an action of sending said status information to said source.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein:

said status is a position;

said means for determining is GPS (Global Positioning System) means for determining position data of said position; and

said status information is said position data.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein:

said status is a position; and

said status information is a position data, said position data representing position of a cellular phone based on position of cellular phone base stations.

51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein:

said status is a change of a status;

said means for determining is a means for determining information of said change; and

said status information includes said information of said change.

52. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said change is selected from the group consisting of a change of a position, and a change of a speed.

53. The apparatus of claim 51, wherein said action of sending is performed when said change occurs.

54. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein:

said resource includes a camera; and

said control action comprises an action of sending images to said source.

55. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein:

said resource includes a microphone; and

said control action comprises an action of sending sound to said source.

56. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said resource includes a control means for receiving a command and for executing said command.

57. The apparatus of claim 56, wherein said control means is a means for controlling an outside device.

58. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein said resource includes a program that is available for executing on a computer system.

59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein said program is a communication program.

60. The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising:

means for receiving requests from a plurality of sources; and

means for transmitting requests to a plurality of destinations.

61. A method comprising the steps of:

determining whether any member on a list of addresses is included in a request;

responsive to a first-negative-determination, determining whether a condition is satisfied;

responsive to a second-positive-determination that said condition is satisfied, causing a control action; and

responsive to a second-negative-determination that said condition is not satisfied, causing a limitation action;

said list of addresses comprising at least one address;

said request being information that is received before a purpose of a source of said request is achieved;

said first-negative-determination being a determination that each member on said list is not included in said request;

said control action being an action of performing use of a resource for achieving said purpose;

said limitation action being an action of limiting said use; and

said limitation action comprising an action of sending return information to said source for achieving said purpose.

62. The method of claim 61, wherein said resource is a storage device.

63. The method of claim 62, wherein said resource is a time from beginning to end of use of said storage device.

64. The method of claim 63, wherein said purpose includes delivery of communication contents;

said time is time from beginning to end of said delivery;

said control action comprises an action of finishing said use after perfecting said delivery; and

said limitation action comprises an action of finishing said use before perfecting said delivery.

65. The method of claim 64, wherein:

said request is an email;

said address is an email address;

said limitation action comprises an action of replying with said return information;

said condition is satisfied when an email is received, said email including a specified keyword; and

said return information is information promoting said source to send said email.

66. The method of claim 62, wherein said resource is a capacity of said storage device for storing communication contents;

said purpose includes delivery of said communication contents;

said request is a part of said communication contents;

said control action comprises an action of storing said communication contents;

said limitation action comprises an action of storing said part.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein:

said part is a header of an email;

said address is an email address;

said limitation action comprises an action of replying with said return information;

said condition is satisfied when a header of an email is received, said header including a specified keyword; and

said return information is information promoting said source to send said email.

68. The method of claim 61, wherein said resource is a communication channel capacity.

69. The method of claim 68, wherein:

said purpose includes delivery of communication contents;

said capacity is capacity for perfecting said delivery;

said control action comprises an action of finishing communication after perfecting said delivery; and

said limitation action comprises an action of finishing said communication before perfecting said delivery.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein:

said request is a header of an email;

said communication contents is said email;

said address is an email address;

said limitation action comprises an action of replying with said return information;

said condition is satisfied when a header of an email is received, said header including a specified keyword; and

said return information is information promoting said source to send said email.

71. The method of claim 68, wherein:

said purpose includes initiating a communication with an entity;

said request includes an address of said entity;

said request represents a transmission request for transmitting said request to said entity;

said capacity includes a capacity for transmitting said request to said entity;

said control action comprises an action of permitting said transmission request;

said limitation action comprises an action of rejecting said transmission request;

said condition is satisfied when security information agrees with registered information, said security information being information inputted from said source; and

said return information is information promoting said source to input said security information.

72. The method of claim 61, wherein said resource includes means for causing a notification to a party.

73. The method of claim 72, wherein:

said notification is a ringing sound;

said resource includes means for talking with said source;

said address is a telephone number;

said request is a incoming telephone call;

said request includes a telephone number of said source;

said condition is satisfied when an operation is performed, said operation being an operation for answering said call;

said control action comprises an action of performing said talking with said source;

said limitation action comprises an action of stopping said ringing sound before said operation is performed; and

said return information is audio information promoting said source to send a voice message.

74. The method of claim 72, wherein:

said address is a telephone number;

said request includes a telephone number of said source;

said condition is satisfied when specified information is received;

said limitation action comprises an action of rejecting said use; and

said return information is a voice guidance message promoting said source to send said specified information.

75. The method of claim 74, wherein said specified information is selected from the group consisting of a number entered via a keypad, a voice, and an image.

76. The method of claim 74, wherein said means for causing a notification is means for transmitting a call to a telephone.

77. The method of claim 72, wherein:

said request is an email; and

said notification is a notification for displaying that said email has been received.

78. The method of claim 61, wherein:

said limitation action comprises an action of rejecting said use before an operation is performed, said operation being an operation for answering a incoming telephone call;

said return information is information to report a wait status to said source, said wait status representing a status waiting for said operation to be performed; and

said control action comprises an action without intervention by a party who is on the destination side of said request.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein:

said resource includes a means for determining status information of a status of a device on the destination side of said request; and

said control action comprises an action of sending said status information to said source.

80. The method of claim 79, wherein:

said status is a position;

said means for determining is GPS (Global Positioning System) means for determining position data of said position; and

said status information is said position data.

81. The method of claim 79, wherein:

said status is a position; and

said status information is a position data, said position data representing position of a cellular phone based on position of cellular phone base stations.

82. The method of claim 79, wherein:

said status is a change of a status;

said means for determining is a means for determining information of said change; and

said status information includes said information of said change.

83. The method of claim 82, wherein said change is selected from the group consisting of a change of a position, and a change of a speed.

84. The method of claim 82, wherein said action of sending is performed when said change occurs.

85. The method of claim 79, wherein:

said means for determining is a means for determining status of a communication program, said status including an online status, said online status representing that said program is ready for communication.

86. The method of claim 78, wherein:

said resource includes a camera; and

said control action comprises an action of sending images to said source.

87. The method of claim 78, wherein:

said resource includes a microphone; and

said control action comprises an action of sending sound to said source.

88. The method of claim 78, wherein:

said resource includes information output means for outputting information to said party; and

said control action comprises an action of outputting information to said party.

89. The method of claim 78, wherein said resource includes a storage device.

90. The method of claim 89, wherein:

said storage device is a device for storing a direction file, said direction file being configuration information for customizing behavior of said apparatus, said configuration information including said address; and

said control action comprises an action of changing said configuration information.

91. The method of claim 78, wherein said resource includes a control means for receiving a command and for executing said command.

92. The method of claim 91, wherein said control means is a means for controlling an outside device.

93. The method of claim 78, wherein said resource includes a program that is available for executing on a computer system.

94. The method of claim 93, wherein said program is a communication program.

95. The method of claim 61, wherein said condition is satisfied when specified information is received.

96. The method of claim 95, wherein said specified information is determined by a mechanism.

97. The method of claim 96, wherein:

said specified mechanism is a mechanism for using a one-time passwords (OTP); and

said information is said OTP.

98. The method of claim 95, wherein:

said return information is information promoting said source to send said specified information; and

said return information includes information for determining said specified information.

99. The method of claim 61, wherein said address is an Internet protocol (IP) address.

100. The method of claim 61, wherein said address is a URL.

101. The method of claim 61, further comprising causing an action of updating said list;

and

wherein a first-positive-determination is a determination that any member on said list is included in said request.

102. The method of claim 101, further comprising:

responsive to said first-positive-determination, causing said control action; and

wherein said updating comprises adding an address included in said request to said list.

103. The method of claim 101, further comprising:

responsive to said first-positive-determination, causing an inhibiting action; and

wherein said inhibiting action is an action of rejecting said use; and

said updating comprises adding an address included in said request to said list.

104. The method of claim 101, wherein said updating comprises deleting an address from said list.

105. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

communicating with a server; and

receiving said request from said server; and

wherein said request is a request stored in said server for achieving said purpose.

106. The method of claim 61, further comprising:

receiving requests from a plurality of sources; and

transmitting requests to a plurality of destinations.

107. A method comprising the steps of:

determining whether any member on a list of identification information is included in a request;

responsive to a positive determination, causing a control action; and

causing a limitation action;

said list of identification information comprising at least one identification information;

said request being information that is received before a purpose of a source of said request is achieved;

said identification information being an original information that can be determined by a user;

said positive determination being a determination that any member iR on said list is included in said request;

said control action being an action of performing use of a resource for achieving said purpose;

said limitation action comprising a notification, said notification being a ringing sound; and

said control action comprising inhibiting said notification.

108. The method of claim 107, wherein:

said resource includes a means for determining status information of a status of a device on the destination side of said request; and

said control action comprises an action of sending said status information to said source.

109. The method of claim 108, wherein:

said status is a position;

said means for determining is GPS (Global Positioning System) means for determining position data of said position; and

said status information is said position data.

110. The method of claim 108, wherein:

said status is a position; and

said status information is a position data, said position data representing position of a cellular phone based on position of cellular phone base stations.

111. The method of claim 108, wherein:

said status is a change of a status;

said means for determining is a means for determining information of said change; and

said status information includes said information of said change.

112. The method of claim 111, wherein said change is selected from the group consisting of a change of a position, and a change of a speed.

113. The method of claim 111, wherein said action of sending is performed when said change occurs.

114. The method of claim 107, wherein:

said resource includes a camera; and

said control action comprises an action of sending images to said source.

115. The method of claim 107, wherein:

said resource includes a microphone; and

said control action comprises an action of sending sound to said source.

116. The method of claim 107, wherein said resource includes a control means for receiving a command and for executing said command.

117. The method of claim 116, wherein said control means is a means for controlling an outside device.

118. The method of claim 107, wherein said resource includes a program that is available for executing on a computer system.

119. The method of claim 118, wherein said program is a communication program.

120. The method of claim 107, further comprising:

receiving requests from a plurality of sources; and

transmitting requests to a plurality of destinations.