HK1181937B - Method and system for routing calls for a telephone number - Google Patents

Description

Method and system for routing calls for a certain telephone number

This application is a divisional application of the patent application entitled "predictive communication routing scheme using instant messaging preferences/settings for routing packet traffic for voice, video, or other multimedia communications," filed on 11/2/2005, application No. 200580004722.3(PCT/US 2005/004700).

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to communications, and more particularly to routing communications using instant messages.

Background

A common problem with telephone communications is a busy signal. If there is a telephone line in the home and it is being used, no other calls can be entered. Some subscribers may have a "call waiting" where a signal is received signaling another incoming call, but without a second telephone line it is often impossible to take both calls immediately, for example by two people in the home.

This problem also exists when the telephone line is occupied by a computer communication session, such as when a modem is using the telephone line. In these cases, there are client-based or server-based services for signaling that an incoming call is waiting. For client-based computer call waiting, the user's computer, which is using a modem, notices a call waiting signal on the line from the telephone company and executes a program to signal the user that a call is coming in. The user may then drop the modem connection and allow the caller to call back or may be able to reach the caller. For server-based computer call waiting, the fact of a busy signal is transmitted from the telephone company's voice system to the server, which then initiates the signal through the computer communication system that routes the signal to the on-line user.

Disclosure of Invention

In embodiments of the present invention, instant messaging preferences and settings are used for predictive communications, including routing of data traffic. For example, a voice call may be routed through a packet-based network if a voice network is unavailable or for other reasons. In addition to voice calls, embodiments of the present invention may route video calls, multimedia communications, and other communications. In some embodiments, instant message presence may be queried to determine how to route voice-over-IP or PSTN telephone calls. Thus, if the presence of an associated instant message is detected on a computer or computing device that is not associated with the location of the PSTN telephone line being called, the call may be routed to that computer or computing device.

In one embodiment, a method for routing calls for a number using an Instant Messaging (IM) server is provided. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a call to the number from a PSTN telecommunications device; determining routing preferences for the number, the routing preferences indicating whether the call should be routed to one or more IM usernames associated with the number; determining whether any of the one or more IM usernames associated with the number are online; and ringing the online IM username for the call.

In another embodiment, a method for routing calls for a number is provided. The method comprises the following steps: receiving a call to the number; determining routing preferences for the number, the routing preferences indicating whether the call should be routed to an IM client associated with the number; and if the preference indicates that the call should be routed to the IM client, 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 online, and if so, ring the online IM usernames for the call.

In yet another embodiment, a system for routing calls is provided. The system comprises: a telecommunications device configured for receiving a PSTN call; an IM server comprising logic configured to: determining routing preferences for the number, the routing preferences indicating whether the call should be routed to one or more IM usernames associated with the number; determining whether any of the one or more IM usernames associated with the number are online; and ringing the online IM username for the call.

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the inventions disclosed herein may be realized by reference of the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings.

Drawings

Fig. 1 illustrates a system that provides routing of data traffic according to one embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a more detailed embodiment of a system according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 3 shows a simplified flow diagram for personalizing a voice call using PAB information according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 illustrates a system 100 that provides routing of data traffic according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown, a telecommunications device (telco)101, a traffic server 130, and an IM server 132 are provided to route data traffic. In one embodiment, the data traffic being routed may be voice calls, video calls, multimedia communications, and other communications. For example, voice calls may be routed through PSTN (public switched telephone network) 105 or packet-based network 134. While a voice call will be described, it will be appreciated that embodiments of the invention may route other types of data traffic. For example, embodiments of the present invention may route video calls, multimedia communications, and other communications.

In one embodiment, the system may send a voice call to telco 101. For example, the system may be another user using a PSTN phone, a computing device sending a voice over IP (VoIP) call, an instant messaging client sending a VoIP call, and so on. Telco 101 may route voice calls to telephone 106 through telephone line 104 and PSTN 105. As will be described below, calls may also be routed to computing device 110.

Telco 101 may be any telecommunications device (telecommunications device). For example, telco 101 may be any system capable of routing PSTN voice calls. Examples of a telecommunications system (telcosystem)100 include a system operated by Competing Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), existing local exchange carriers, and the like, and may include switches, monitors, and the like.

As shown, telecommunications system 101 is configured to handle voice lines from a voice trunk (trunk). When a call is to be routed to location 102, telecommunications system 101 (e.g., a switch) signals on telephone line 104. If telephone 106 is on-hook (i.e., not in use), the signal triggers a ring and the call from telco 101 to telephone 106 may be completed.

Location 102 may be any location including telephone 106 and/or computing device 110. For example, the location 102 may be a home, office location, or the like. In one embodiment, location 102 may be a location associated with a telephone number or another identifier (e.g., an IM username, email address, etc.). For example, location 102 may be a home, where a telephone call to a telephone number is routed by telecommunication device 102. Location 102 may be associated with many devices capable of receiving voice calls. For example, phone 106, computing device 110, and other devices 122 are disposed in location 102.

Telephone 106 may be any device capable of receiving a voice call. For example, telephone 106 may be any PSTN device. For example, the telephone 106 may be a landline telephone, a wireless telephone, a cordless telephone, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), and so forth.

Computing device 110 may be any computing device configured to receive voice calls. In one embodiment, computing device 110 may include an IM client that may receive instant messaging communications in addition to voice calls. Computing device 110 may include a computer, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a workstation, a laptop computer, a personal computer, and so forth.

The other device 122 may be any other device that can receive voice calls.

In one embodiment, computing device 110 is configured to receive a VoIP call. Although computing device 110 is shown in location 102, it will be appreciated that computing device 110 may be located at a location remote from location 102. For example, a user may receive a call from a remote location using an IM client on computing device 110. Thus, the user may have a username associated with location 102. The user may log into an IM client at any location and receive calls for a telephone number associated with location 102.

The call may be received through the PSTN network 105 or the packet-based network 134. The PSTN network 105 is configured to send voice calls over a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) or PSTN. IM server 132 is configured to send voice calls over a packet-based network. The packet-based network 134 may include an IP (internet protocol) network, an Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) network, a frame relay network, a wireless network, and so forth.

Traffic server 130 is configured to receive signaling from telco 101. For example, the call may be received by telco 101. Telco 101 may be configured to send voice calls to telephone 106 through PSTN network 105. Additionally, telco 101 may choose to send a call to an IM client running on computing device 110 through traffic server 130, IM server 132, and packet-based network 134. In this case, the voice call may be routed to traffic server 130. Traffic server 130 is then configured to determine an IM server 132 that can deliver the voice call to the IM client at computing device 110. Different IM servers 132 may be configured to deliver information to IM clients at location 102. Traffic server 130 determines the appropriate IM server 132 and sends the voice call to IM server 132.

IM server 132 is then configured to send voice calls to one or more IM clients associated with location 102 over packet-based network 134. IM server 132 is configured to provide IM-related (IM-related) services to IM clients on computing devices 110. For example, an IM client may perform IM sessions with other IM clients through IM server 132. Generally, an IM client is associated with a username. The user name is an identifier for various users. For example, the IM username can be a login ID, such as Yahoo! IM identifiers, and the like. An IM username may be associated with location 102. For example, if a family resides at location 102, the IM usernames of each member of the family may be associated with location 102. IM server 132 may communicate with each IM username associated with location 102.

In one embodiment, IM server 132 may send a voice call received from traffic server 130 to the IM username. IM server 132 may be configured to ring an IM username when a telephone call is received for a certain telephone number. For example, an IM username can be associated with a telephone number of location 102. When a voice call is received for the telephone number, IM server 132 may be contacted with an indication that a voice call has been received for the telephone number. IM server 132 may then detect which IM username is online and then ring the online IM client.

Thus, presence information may be used to determine which IM clients are online. In one embodiment, the presence information may indicate whether the IM client is offline or online. Various states may also exist, such as busy, away, and so forth. IM server 132 may be configured to ring the IM client based on the status, e.g., if the status is "away" the IM may be rung, but if the status is "busy", the IM is not rung.

The voice call may be routed through router 120 at location 102. Router 120 may route the call to phone 106, computing device 110, or other device 122. The network connection at location 102 may be a dial-up line, broadband, e.g., via a DSL filter, or router 120, among others. Also, as described above, the username may be logged on an IM client that is remote from location 102. These calls may be routed appropriately and may not pass through location 102.

When a call is received for a telephone number, the voice call is thereby routed from IM server 132 to the IM client on computing device 110 over packet-based network 134. Various scenarios of how a voice call is routed to telephone 106 and an IM client at location 102 will now be discussed.

Fig. 2 shows a more detailed embodiment of the system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the voice call may be received at telco 101. The voice call may be routed according to user preferences stored in database 210. In one embodiment, the user preferences may indicate that: if telephone 106 is busy, the voice call should be routed to IM server 132 for routing to IM client 208. In another embodiment, the user preferences may indicate that: incoming voice calls are automatically routed to IM server 132 for routing to client 208 and/or telephone 106.

If the user preferences indicate that a voice call to a telephone number should be automatically routed to IM server 132, telco 101 receives the voice call and routes it to IM server 132. The routing may be implemented using call forwarding. For example, call forwarding may be established at telco 101 such that voice calls to a telephone number are routed to the address of IM server 132. Other methods of rerouting telephone calls directed to a telephone number to IM server 132 will occur to those skilled in the art.

As shown, IM server 132 includes an IM related server 202 and a communication server 204. IM related server 202 provides IM related services. For example, IM correlation server 202 allows an IM client to perform a conventional IM session.

The communication server 204 is configured to route voice calls according to user preferences. The user preferences may indicate how the call should be routed. For example, certain user preferences may indicate that: if the status indicates that the user is online or away, the call should be routed to the IM username. However, if the status indicates that the IM user is busy or not online, the IM username may not be rung. In addition, other preferences may also be used, such as routing a call through a wireless network to a cellular telephone, ringing the telephone 106, and so forth.

In one embodiment, the communication server 204 is configured to determine whether an IM username associated with the telephone number is logged on to the IM client 208. For example, the presence information may indicate that the user is online. If the IM username is logged in, the communication server 204 may ring the IM username at the IM client 208. Additionally, communication server 204 may ring telephone 106. The ringing operation may be performed over packet-based network 134 to IM client 208 and telephone 106. In another embodiment, telco 101 may also ring telephone 106 through PSTN 105.

As mentioned above, it is possible to associate multiple IM clients (or usernames) with the same phone number. Thus, any number of IM usernames may be rung in addition to phone 106. The users of these devices can then accept the call and handle the call within the IM environment. If the user accepts the call, this fact is transmitted back to traffic server 130, and traffic server 130 then requests that the call be routed through traffic server 130 and IM server 132. If any of the IM usernames answer the call, the communication server 204 may suppress ringing on the other lines.

In another embodiment, a voice call may not be sent to communication server 204 until a busy signal is detected on telephone 106. For example, a user may be using a master phone 106 at location 102. For example, telephone 106 may be being used for a voice call over PSTN105 or a VoIP call over packet-based network 134. In either case, telco 101 may be able to detect that telephone 106 is busy. When another voice call is received at telco 101 for telephone 106, it is determined that telephone 106 is busy. The user preferences may be set to cause the voice call to be subsequently routed to the communication server 204.

In this case, the communication server 204 may route the call based on user preferences. For example, IM usernames that are online may be determined and these IM usernames may be rung. Thus, unlike the case of receiving a busy signal, the IM username may be rung. Also, even if call waiting is enabled for telephone 106, in addition to using communication server 204 to send a call waiting signal to telephone 106, it is possible to ring the IM username. Thus, the conventional telephone service is expanded in the following respects: unlike the case of receiving a busy signal or a call waiting signal, the IM username can be rung for a voice call. Thus, the user is not limited to receiving one call at a time at location 102. Instead, multiple calls may be received using an IM username. Thus, a user using telephone 106 may not occupy the telephone line with telephone 106.

When a call is answered using an IM client, the status of the username that answered the call may be changed. For example, the status may change to "busy, i am talking" or some other status. This status may then be transmitted to IM server 132, which IM server 132 propagates the status to other usernames.

In another example, the state for different group lists may be changed. For example, an IM client may have different groups with different buddies for a certain user, such as a work group list with work contacts and a personal group list with personal contacts. The status may be changed in different ways for different group lists based on the person being called. For example, if the user is working and receives a call, the IM client changes the status in the workgroup list to busy, but keeps the personal group list online. In another example, if the user receives a personal call, the IM client changes the status in the personal group list to busy, but keeps the work group list online.

The communication server 204 may also use the user's Personal Address Book (PAB)206 to provide personalized information. Each user may have a different personal address book 206. For example, a first IM username may have its own PAB206 and a second IM username may have its own second PAB 206. The PAB206 may include various addresses of other users. For example, an entry may indicate contact information of a friend, such as their name, nickname, telephone number, and email address, among others.

Techniques for populating a user's PAB206 are described in concurrently filed U.S. application No. (attorney docket No.017887-014210US) entitled "INTEGRATEDINSTANTMESSAGING, ROUTINGANDTELEPHONESERVICESBILLINGSYSTEM," which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

Fig. 3 shows a simplified flow diagram 300 for personalizing a voice call using PAB information in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. At step 302, caller identification information for a received voice call is determined. For example, caller ID information (e.g., telephone number) may be used. Caller ID information may be provided from telco 101 to communication server 204. For example, the caller ID information may indicate a telephone number from which the call was sent, an email address from which the call was sent, or any other identifying information from which the call was sent.

At step 304, caller identification information is looked up in the PAB206 for each user who can receive a voice call. For example, a personal address book for each IM username that is online can be looked up.

At step 306, the personalized name of the caller identification information is determined from each user's PAB 206. For example, the PAB206 may include a personalized name for the caller identification information. For example, the telephone number "415-.

At step 308, a personalized name is displayed on the IM client 208 for each IM username. Additionally, the personalized name may be displayed on the phone 106 as caller ID information, if possible. Thus, a personalized name using the information in the PAB206 may be displayed. Therefore, the user can easily recognize who is calling.

If no entry for caller identification information is found in the user's PAB206, this information may be added to the PAB 206. The caller identification information may not be a complete list. For example, only a telephone number may be provided. A white page/yellow page lookup may be performed with the phonebook for the caller identification information to determine other information about the caller. For example, the address of the caller may be determined. This information is then added to the PAB 206.

In addition, the user may use the IM client to query caller identification information for any number of calls made in the last X days. For example, the billing system may have recorded caller identification information received from calls to the telephone number. The communication server 204 may first look up in the phone book and determine the identification information of all callers. This information may then be added to the PAB 206. The user may then personalize the name of the caller identification information.

In another embodiment, communication server 204 may allow the user to personalize their own ring tones and/or ringback tones. For example, when a call is received from certain caller identification information, a personalized ring tone may sound. For example, if a parent of a person places a call, a ringing tone of some kind may be sounded. If a girlfriend of the user places a call, another ring tone may be sounded. The user may also send a ring tone to a friend as a gift.

Thus, using system 100, a call can be routed using an IM client that is capable of receiving calls using voice input capabilities and audio output. System 100 can detect when a call is busy and route the call to a server that generates an IM that can be activated by the user's IM client to obtain the call. The part of the call that is received can then be handled as a real IP call. The call may be routed anywhere the IM client associated with the telephone number is online.

In the home, a person may be making a conventional voice call using telephone 106. When another call comes in, it will be displayed in a line busy fashion if otherwise, but here the call is instead routed to IM client 208. The IM client may be located on a computer that may be utilized by a user or other person in location 102 who is making a voice call. This may be used on site, e.g. in a business, home, etc. IM routing may then be performed over an internet connection (e.g., dial-up connection or broadband, another telephone line, etc.). Thus, the user may not need to subscribe to the call waiting service because the call may be forwarded to an IM username active on the IM client.

While the above describes receiving a conventional voice call at telco 101 over a PSTN network, it will be understood that a VoIP call may be received at traffic server 130. Traffic server 130 will then determine whether to route the call to telco 101 or to IM server 132. If the call is routed to telco 101, telco 101 may determine whether telephone 106 is busy and then route the call according to the user preferences. Also, in another embodiment, traffic server 130 may route calls based on user preferences. For example, calls may be automatically routed to IM server 132. Also, traffic server 130 may automatically route the call to telco 101.

In addition to voice traffic, video, Webcam (e.g., Yahoo | Webcam) traffic, and other multimedia traffic may also be supported. If the system detects that both ends of the call have compatible devices, for example, both running Yahoo! The protocol can be switched from voice only to video calls.

Embodiments of the present invention provide many advantages. For example, by routing calls according to user preferences, a user may avoid "call waiting services". Also, multiple calls to a telephone number may be received by the user at location 102. Thus, conventional telephone service restricts the telephone line 104 to receiving one or two calls. However, any number of calls may be received using embodiments of the present invention. Multiple calls may be received using the IM username at phone 106. The calls may be intelligently routed using user preferences.

In this manner, calls may be routed in a manner determined by IM preferences and settings. Some IM settings may indicate: where the call is routed to the IM client, but the IM client is not online. For example, a user may request that a call ring at home, but be routed to an IM if the line is busy, but be routed to a cellular telephone number as a voice over IP (VoIP) call if the IM is not online.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

Although the invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many modifications are possible.

Embodiments described herein may refer to web sites, links, and other terminology specific to an instance of a communication system. It should be understood that the systems and processes described herein may be applicable to different data transmission technologies.

The present invention may be implemented in the form of control logic in software or hardware or a combination thereof. The control logic may be stored in an information storage medium as a plurality of instructions adapted to direct an information processing apparatus to perform a set of steps disclosed in embodiments of the present invention. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present invention.

The above description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Many variations of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the present disclosure. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not with reference to the above description, but instead should be determined with reference to the appended claims along with their full scope or equivalents.

Claims (17)

1. A method of routing a call to a telephone number using an instant messaging, IM, server, the method comprising:

receiving a call to the telephone number from a PSTN telecommunication device;

determining routing preferences for the telephone number, the routing preferences indicating whether the call should be routed via the IM server to one or more IM clients associated with the telephone number, wherein the IM server is packet network based and operable for sending instant messages from a first IM client to a second IM client;

determining a presence of the one or more IM clients in response to receiving the call;

determining a status of at least one online IM client if the determined presence of at least one of the one or more IM clients is online, wherein the status indicates whether the at least one online IM client is available;

ringing the at least one online IM client for the call based on the determined status of the at least one online IM client;

determining whether an online IM client answers the call using an IM username; and

causing a status change for one or more of the plurality of groups by the online IM client that answered the call.

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

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising ringing a PSTN telephone to the telephone number in addition to ringing the at least one online IM client.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

when the online client answers the call using the IM username, ringing of other online IM clients except the online IM client answering the call is suppressed.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising causing ringing of a PSTN phone to be suppressed when the online IM client answers the call using the IM username.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

looking up a telephone number associated with the PSTN telecommunication device in a Personal Address Book (PAB) of the IM username;

determining from the PAB a personal identifier for a telephone number associated with the PSTN telecommunication device; and

causing the personal identifier to be displayed on the 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 a telephone number associated with the PSTN telecommunication device in a Personal Address Book (PAB) of the IM username;

determining identification information for a telephone number associated with the PSTN telecommunication device if the telephone number associated with the PSTN telecommunication device is not in the PAB; and

and adding the identification information to the PAB of the IM user name.

9. A method for routing calls to a telephone number, the method comprising:

receiving a call to the telephone number;

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

routing a call for the telephone number to an IM server if the routing preferences indicate that the call should be routed to the one or more IM clients, wherein the IM server is packet network based and configured to determine if one or more of the one or more IM clients associated with the telephone number are online, and if so, ring an online IM client for the call;

determining whether an IM online client answers the call using an IM username; and

causing a status change for one or more of the plurality of groups by the online IM client that answered the call.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the routing preferences indicate that calls directed to the phone number should be forwarded to the IM server.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the routing preferences indicate that calls to the phone number should be forwarded to the IM server if the phone number is busy.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the call is a PSTN call.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the call is a VoIP call.

14. A system for routing calls to a telephone number, the system comprising:

a telecommunications device configured for receiving a PSTN call;

an IM server based on a packet network and operable to send instant messages from a first IM client to a second IM client, and containing logic configured to:

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

determining the presence of the one or more IM clients; and

ringing at least one of the one or more IM clients for the call if the determined presence of the at least one IM client is online; and

an IM client configured to receive a call directed to the IM client and to change a state of the IM client for one or more of a plurality of groups if the IM client answers the call.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising a PSTN telephone configured to receive a call from the telecommunications device.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the call is sent over a PSTN network with the PSTN telecommunication device.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the call is sent over a packet-based network with the IM server.