JP2003204395A - Method, system, and program for future communication negotiation and for postponement of communication - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system to manage electronic communication using various techniques for future communication negotiations. <P>SOLUTION: After a second interaction manager 180 has received a request for future communication from a first interaction manager 130, scheduled information of a first party 110 and a second party 190 that are related to these managers is acquired from one or more calendar systems, and an optimum time for future communication can be decided. Or, the second interaction manager 180 may receive a request for postponement of communication from the first interaction manager 130. In this case, after a specific communication channel becomes available, this may be informed to the first party 110 related to the first interaction manager 130. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a technique for negotiating future communication.

[0002]

Despite the widespread use of communication technology, the stubborn problem of finding a (convenient) time available for interaction (dialogue) remains. That is, it may simply be difficult to find a good time to interact with each other, even though people have more options than ever to communicate.

To recognize this difficulty, when the communication device of another person the caller is trying to reach is in use,
Consider what generally happens. In this situation, the communication network usually only gives a busy signal to the caller. Of course, the caller may try to communicate again later, but there is no way to know a good time to contact the other party. Therefore, later interactions may fail as well.

While the prior art has provided various means for allowing callers to leave messages, dealing with these systems can still be frustrating.

For example, the sender may leave a message message in the message system and the recipient may reply later to attempt to reply to the message. But when replying,
It is often the case that the caller who left the original message can no longer be reached.

[0006]

Therefore, in order to avoid these difficulties, there is a need for a system and method that allows parties to negotiate future communication times.

[0007]

The present invention provides various methods, systems and programs for managing electronic communications using various techniques for negotiating future communications.

The invention according to claim 1 is a method of negotiating future communication between a first related party and a second related party, wherein the first related party communicates future communication with the second related party. Receiving the request and based on the request for future communication,
Using the acquired schedule information to establish schedule information of both the first party and the second party and communication between the first party and the second party. Determining at least one mutually available time, a method of negotiating future communications. In the invention according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1, in the step of acquiring the schedule information, schedule information is obtained from at least one electronic calendar system of at least one of the first related person and the second related person. It is characterized by including acquisition. The invention according to claim 3 is
3. The invention according to claim 2, wherein the schedule information includes a plurality of times, and each of the plurality of times does not include a scheduled activity expected to be performed at that time, or
It is characterized as being any of the scheduled times including at least one scheduled activity expected to occur at that time. In the invention according to claim 4, in the invention according to claim 1, the step of determining the at least one mutually available time uses the free time of each of the first related party and the second related party mutually. Characterized by including determining at least one opportunity that is possible. The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the step of determining the at least one mutually available time is associated with the interaction manager associated with the first party and the second party. It is characterized by including negotiation with an interaction manager. According to the invention of claim 6, in the invention of claim 1, sending a list of at least one opportunity of free time available to each other to the interaction manager associated with the first party; At least one time from the list of at least one opportunity of free time to the interaction manager associated with the first party,
Selecting a desired time for future communication from the displayed at least one opportunity of the mutually available free times in response to input from the first party;
It is characterized by further having. The invention according to claim 7 further comprises the step of transmitting to the interaction manager associated with the second party an instruction indicating a desired time for the selected future communication in the invention according to claim 6. It is characterized by having. In the invention according to claim 8, in the invention according to claim 1, the negotiation of the future communication is in response to an unsuccessful attempt of a dialogue between the first party and the second party. It is characterized by occurring. The invention according to claim 9 is the method for postponing communication between a first party and a second party, wherein
Receiving from a party a deferment request for deferred communication, identifying a desired communication channel associated with the deferred request, the desired communication channel becoming available, or a predetermined time period has elapsed. Waiting until at least one of the following occurs, and the communication is postponed. The invention according to claim 10 is the invention according to claim 9, wherein the first interested party is responsive to either the availability of the identified desired communication channel or the availability thereof. The method further comprises the step of sending a message to. The invention according to claim 11 relates to the invention according to claim 10, wherein the step of receiving, the step of identifying, and the step of waiting are associated with an interaction manager associated with the first party and the second party. It is characterized by including using an interaction manager. Claim 1
In the invention described in claim 2, in the invention described in claim 11, the postponement of the communication occurs in response to an unsuccessful attempt of a dialogue between the first related party and the second related party. I am trying. The invention according to claim 13 is the invention according to claim 10.
The described invention is characterized in that the message to the first party indicates that the identified desired communication channel is available. The invention of claim 14 is the invention of claim 9, further comprising the step of sending a message to the first party when the identified desired communication channel becomes available. There is. The invention according to claim 15 relates to the invention according to claim 14, wherein the step of receiving, the step of identifying, and the step of waiting are associated with an interaction manager associated with the first party and the second party. It is characterized by including using an interaction manager. In the invention according to claim 16, in the invention according to claim 15, the suspension of the communication occurs in response to the unsuccessful attempt of the dialogue between the first party and the second party. Is characterized by. The invention according to claim 17 is a system for negotiating future communication between a first party and a second party, wherein a request for future communication with the second party is received from the first party. Based on the input interface and the request for the future communication, the schedule information of both the first related party and the second related party is acquired, and the communication between the first related party and the second related party is established. In order to do so, a system for negotiating future communication, comprising at least one controller that determines mutually available times based on said schedule information. In the invention according to claim 18, in the invention according to claim 17, the input interface acquires schedule information from at least one electronic calendar system of at least one of the first related party and the second related party. It has a feature. The invention according to claim 19 is
19. The invention according to claim 18, wherein the schedule information includes a plurality of times, and each of the plurality of times includes a free time that does not include a scheduled activity expected to be performed within the time, or at least one of the free hours. It is characterized as being any of the scheduled times including scheduled activities that are expected to occur during that time. The invention according to claim 20 is the invention according to claim 17.
In the described invention, the controller determines the at least one mutually available time by determining at least one opportunity in which the free time between the first party and the second party is mutually available. It is characterized by doing. The invention according to claim 21 is the invention according to claim 17.
In the invention described, an output interface for sending a list of at least one opportunity of free time available to each other to an interaction manager associated with the first party, and a list of at least one opportunity of free time available to each other. An output device for outputting at least one opportunity from the first interested party to the first interested party via an interaction manager associated with the first interested party, and in response to input from the first interested party. A selection component enabling selection of a desired time for future communication from at least one opportunity of said free time available to each other. The invention of claim 22 is the same as the invention of claim 21,
It is characterized by further comprising a second output interface for sending an indication to the interaction manager associated with the second party, the indication indicating the desired time selected for the future communication. According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, in the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the system is configured to provide the future communication in response to an unsuccessful attempted dialogue between the first party and the second party. It is characterized by conducting negotiations. The invention according to claim 24 is a system for suspending communication between a first party and a second party, wherein an input interface for receiving a suspend request from the first party, and a desired communication channel associated with the suspend request. And a controller that waits until at least one of the desired communication channel becomes available and / or a predetermined time period elapses. According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the twenty-fourth aspect, a signal from the controller is transmitted when the identified desired communication channel is available or becomes available. In response, it further comprises an output interface for sending a message to the first party that the identified desired communication channel is available. The invention according to claim 26 is the invention according to claim 25, wherein the controller is the first related party and the second
In response to unsuccessful attempts at dialogue between stakeholders,
It is characterized by processing deferral requests. Claim 27
25. The invention according to claim 24, wherein in response to a signal from the controller, an output interface for sending a message to the first party that the identified desired communication channel has become available. It is characterized by further having. According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, in the twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the controller issues a postponement request in response to the unsuccessful attempt of the dialogue between the first related party and the second related party. It is characterized by processing. The invention according to claim 29 is the invention according to claim 27, wherein the postponement request from the first party is
It is characterized in that it is automatically generated by the interaction manager of the first party. Claim 30
The invention described in a program for negotiating future communication between a first party and a second party receives a request for future communication with the second party from the first party, In order to obtain the schedule information of both the first related party and the second related party based on the request for the future communication, and to establish communication between the first related party and the second related party, It is a program for negotiating future communication, which determines at least one mutually available time using the acquired schedule information. According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, in a program for postponing communication between a first related party and a second related party, a deferment request for deferred communication is received from the first related party and is related to the deferment request Is a program for deferring communication that identifies the desired communication channel and waits for at least one of the availability of the desired communication channel and the elapse of a predetermined time.

Various exemplary embodiments of the methods, systems and programs of the present invention allow parties to negotiate a time for communication. The time of communication may be determined by selecting a plurality of mutually available (convenient) times determined from information obtained from one or more calendar systems. In another exemplary embodiment,
The originator may request that communication with the recipient be postponed until the designated communication channel is available.

In various exemplary embodiments, the interaction manager provides interaction information as an interaction space that is displayed or otherwise presented on an internet-based device such as an internet-based telephone. Further, the interaction manager provides interaction information as an interaction space output to the user by using any technique that can be perceived by humans, such as hearing and touch.

In addition, the interaction space includes visibility information that informs the originator of the status of the recipient, accessibility information that provides the sender with a list of communication channels available to the originator, and originator and recipient. It may also include continuity information including information that reflects ongoing interaction with and behavioral data. Further, the interaction manager may determine the response message for the caller based, at least in part, on the relationship between the caller and the recipient and the current state of the recipient.

In an exemplary embodiment, when the second interaction manager receives a request for future communication from the first interaction manager, it may include one or more schedule information for each of the parties associated with these interaction managers. May be obtained from the calendar system to determine the optimal time for future communications. Alternatively, the second interaction manager may receive the request for deferred communication from the first interaction manager, and further when this particular communication channel becomes available, it may be associated with the first interaction manager. 1 The person concerned may be notified.

The above and other features and advantages of the invention are described in or are apparent from the detailed description of various embodiments of the method, system and program according to the invention.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a system 100 that manages electronic communications using various techniques for negotiating future communications. The electronic communication system 100 has one or more interaction managers, such as interaction managers 130 and 180. These components are connected together via a communications infrastructure 150 via links 140 and 160.

The communication infrastructure 150 can support communication between the interaction managers 130 and 180 by providing a communication path through which communication signals can be sent and received between the links 140 and 160. The communication infrastructure 150 is
Any known or later developed network for transmitting information may be included. Such networks can include wide area networks, local area networks, public switched telephone networks, wireless or wireline networks, intranets, the Internet, or any other combination of distributed processing networks or systems. In general, communication infrastructure 150 can be any known or later developed system, computer program, or combination of structures that can be used to send and receive information over links 140 and 160.

Links 140 and 160 connect interaction managers 130 and 180 and communication infrastructure 15
It may be any known or later developed device or system for transmitting data to and from. Such devices include direct serial / parallel cable connections, satellite links, wireless links, connections over wide area networks or local area networks, connections over public telephone networks, connections over intranets,
Included are connections via the Internet, or via any other distributed processing network or system. Further, links 140 and 160 may be software devices that link various software systems. In general, links 140 and 160 are any known or later developed devices or systems, computer programs or structures that can be used to connect interaction manager 130 and interaction manager 180 to communication infrastructure 150. Good.

In various exemplary embodiments, the interaction managers 130 and 180 are Internet-based phones (web phones), cell phones, landlines, personal digital assistants (PDAs),
It can be connected to a two-way pager, a facsimile machine or a program, or a communication device (not shown) such as a personal computer connected to a network. Interaction managers 130 and 180 provide response messages to such communication devices. Mostly, this response message is realized as an interaction space. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the interaction space according to the present invention.

Various exemplary embodiments of interaction managers 130 and 180 for use with the present invention are described in US patent application Ser. No. 09/28/2001, filed February 28, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 794, 10
No. 2 is disclosed.

The interaction manager 180 provides the originator 110 associated with at least one communication device with one or more sets of communication channels available for interacting with the recipient 190 and information regarding the current state of the recipient 190. Provide with. Next, the sender 110 is the recipient 1
The state of 90 can be interpreted to informally select which provided communication channel to use to contact the recipient 190. The list of communication channels is, for example,
It can be implemented using hypertext links that point to the addresses of other communication devices, or to locations that can direct these devices to communicate.

Interaction managers 130 and 1
80 is one or more personal interaction spaces 20.
Can generate 0. As shown in FIG. 2, the single interaction space 200 is equivalent to the interaction space 200.
It reflects the relationship between the sender 110, who is the owner of the, and the recipient 190 who uses the interaction space 200.
In various exemplary embodiments of the methods and systems of this invention, each of interaction managers 130 and 180 is implemented as a distributed system with software components residing on a web server. These software components interact with other individuals or other interaction managers residing on one or more web servers.

A caller 11 typically associated with a communication device.
0 is capable of interacting with or obtaining interaction information about the recipient 190 associated with the interaction manager 180. For example, a caller 110 using an internet phone may have an interaction manager 180
To a recipient 190 associated with. In this case,
Communication infrastructure 150 may include the Internet. Once the caller 110 connects to the recipient's interaction manager 180, the caller 110 can be provided with various information. Specifically, the interaction manager 180 can display the information contained in the interaction space as shown in FIG.

Depending on the relationship between the originator 110 and the recipient 190, and the current state of the recipient 190, the interaction manager 180 may inform the originator 110, for example, links to various communication devices associated with the recipient 190. Can provide personalized information such as a set of. For example, the interaction manager 180 may provide one or more links to one or more of an internet phone, telephone, pager, fax machine, email (email) system, and scheduler / calendar system. Further, the interaction manager 180 may provide information regarding the convenience of the recipient 190, such as a message indicating that the recipient 190 is stuck in an important meeting. However, the information displayed or otherwise output or presented via the interaction manager 180 may be based on relationships between parties. That is, the recipient 190 may want, for example, a group of people registered as friends of the recipient 190 to be provided with only certain information, such as the recipient's 190 home telephone number.

The interaction manager 180 uses various identification techniques such as automatic number identification (ANI), cookie files, and various biometric devices (eg, fingerprint recognizers, iris scanners) to make communications associated with communications. The ID of the person 110 can be determined. Once the identifier is determined, the interaction manager 180 can determine the appropriate information that the identified caller 110 has access to.

The originator 110 may want to interact with the recipient 190 now or later. If the interaction manager 180 presents to the caller 110 information that the recipient 190 is currently unfavorable, the caller 110 may negotiate a particular time for communication, or , Has the option of seeking future communication with the recipient 190 by deferring communication until a particular communication channel becomes available. Similarly, even if the recipient 190 is currently convenient and one or more communication channels are available, the sender 1
10 may negotiate future communication with recipient 190 and / or may select a request to defer communication until a particular desired communication channel is available.

It should be noted that the time for future communication can be very accurately defined as a defined start time and a defined end time or a specific time zone having a defined period, length or range. it can. Alternatively, the time may be more ambiguous, for example, "tomorrow", "next week", "Wednesday afternoon", or in the future sufficient to complete the future communication negotiated by the caller and recipient. The time can be set in any other desired manner (time expression).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of interaction space 200 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the interaction space 20
0 includes visibility information 210, accessibility information 220, and continuity information 230. The visibility information 210 informs the originator 110 about the status or situation of the recipient 190. The accessibility information 220 is for the specific sender 11
The sender 110 is provided with a list of communication channels determined by the recipient 190 so that 0 can be used. The continuity information 230 includes, for example, the sender 110 and the receiver 190.
It can include information and behavioral data that reflects ongoing interactions with the. However, it should be appreciated that the interaction space 200 does not necessarily include the continuity information 230.

The information contained in interaction space 200 is presented to the caller in a manner suitable for the particular communication device used by caller 110. In various exemplary embodiments, the interaction space 200 includes visibility information 2
10, accessibility information 220 and continuity information 230
Is generated by integrating.

3 and 4 illustrate two exemplary devices capable of displaying information contained in interaction space 200 to originator 110 or recipient 190. Each communication device may be connected to any sender 110 or receiver 19
Although the interaction space 200 can be displayed for 0, the content of the interaction space 200 may differ depending on the ID of a particular caller 110. For example,
As shown in FIG. 3, the information included in the interaction space 200 displayed on the first communication device 301 is:
It contains general messages that the recipient 190 can provide to any originator 110. However, as shown in FIG.
The information contained in the interaction space 200 displayed on the second communication device 302 includes the information contained in the interaction space 200 tailored for a particular caller 110, providing more detailed and identified information. To do. Since the information contained in the interaction space 200 and displayed on the second communication device 302 can be customized for a specific caller, the information contained in the interaction space 200 displayed on the second communication device 302 is The communication between the sender 110 and the receiver 190 can be promoted.

In various exemplary embodiments, interaction space 200 can include links to multiple available communication channels that a particular caller 110 can access. For example, these available communication channels may be grouped into multiple logical interaction channels, or collectively as multiple logical interaction channels, based on the circumstances and needs of a particular caller 110. May be represented. However, the set of communication channels available to originator 110 may depend on the status of recipient 190. For example, recipient 19
If 0 is in a conference, recipient 190 may not allow any direct calls.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show exemplary embodiments of calendar screens 500 and 600, respectively, that a user can use to know (or confirm) his or her appointments at a particular time. Exemplary calendar screens 500 and 600 include month displays 510 and 610, respectively.
Scheduled time highlight areas 530 and 540, and 630, 640 and 650, showing the time zones associated with the scheduled event at each time. Further, calendar system screens 500 and 600
Has scroll bars 560 and 660, respectively, that allow the user to scroll through the various items so that the entire list of various items need not be displayed.

The exemplary "Fred Jones" calendar item shown in FIG. 5 indicates that there are two upcoming items on Monday, March 26th. The first scheduled time highlight area 530 is from 8:00 am to 8:00 am
It shows the scheduled time block during 0 minutes, and the second
Scheduled time highlight area 540 shows the scheduled time block between 11:30 am and 12:30 pm. In addition, the time zone not highlighted is the time when no schedule is currently set.

Similarly, the calendar system screen 600 shown in FIG. 6 indicates that there are three schedule items in the schedule for Monday, March 26, "Bob Gray". The first scheduled time highlight area 630 shows a block of time scheduled between 8:30 am and 10:00 am. The second scheduled time highlight area 640 is
It shows a time block scheduled between 12 noon and 1 pm. Third scheduled time highlight area 650
Indicates a time block scheduled between 2:00 pm and 2:30 pm.

It should be noted that the calendar screens 500 and 600 shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are merely referred to in the present specification as merely how the calendar system acquires schedule information and free time available between users. It is presented to explain how (i.e., a time or time period when both users have no plans) may exist. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that there are many other ways to store and present scheduling information. In general, any calendar system that can store appointment information for one or more people and that allows such information to be retrieved, and how this information is stored and / or retrieved, and how this information is entered and It can be used irrespective of the format presented to one or more people, either visually or otherwise.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a communications device 700 that can be used to negotiate future communications. The exemplary communication device 700 can be used to enter a date for which future communication is desired, as well as a text entry box 710, and can be used to display the times or hours of the day available to each other and to each other. A time zone display area 720 in which one of the available times or time zones can be selected as a selected time zone for future communication,
730 and 740. Note that the user must select only one of the time zone display areas 720, 730, and 740, and if the mutually available times or time zones have not been determined, the time zone is not displayed.

In the exemplary mode of operation, the date entered in text entry box 710 for future communications is:
It can be accepted by the communication device 700. Communication device 700
To ensure that the information entered is in a suitable format for the date field and the date entered is a future date within the desired range.
You can check the information entered in. That is, if such confirmation is deemed desirable, communication device 700 may be instructed to accept only future dates that are not too far in time. When the user inputs the appropriate date information in the text input box 710, the communication device 70
0 can create an appropriate negotiation request. This message is
For example, it may be sent from a first interaction manager, such as interaction manager 130, associated with the requester, to a second interaction manager, such as interaction manager 180.

Second Interaction Manager 180
When the second interaction manager 180 receives the request for future communication from the first interaction manager 130, the second interaction manager 180 obtains the schedule information of the caller 110 and the recipient 190, and thereby the text input box 71 is received.
Based on the date information entered at 0, the times or time zones available to each other for communication can be determined. For example, the interaction manager 180 may determine the identifier of the caller 110 associated with the request. Alternatively, the identifier may be, for example, in the form of an identifier extracted from a cookie file, or may be explicitly given. The identifier may be used to obtain the appointment information of the caller 110's desired date. Furthermore, the second
The interaction manager 180 also uses the date information entered in the text entry box 710 to identify the recipient 1
Schedule information related to 90 schedules may be obtained. Once the list of available times for each of recipient 190 and caller 110 is obtained, the list of available times for each other can be determined.

For example, requester (eg, sender 110)
If the schedule information of the request matches the information shown in FIG. 5 and the schedule information of the recipient of the request (eg, recipient 190) matches the information shown in FIG. 6, then the second interaction manager. 180 indicates three time periods where no one has a plan to act, namely, from 10:00 am to 11:00 am, from 1:30 pm to 2:30 pm, and from 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm Determine that there is.
As shown in FIG. 7, these available free time zones are the time zone selection display area 72 of the communication device 700.
0, 730 and 740. When the user associated with the first interaction manager 130 (eg, the caller 110) receives this information on the communication device 700, the user may change the time displayed in the time zone selection display areas 720, 730 and 740. , You can select the desired time for future communication.

In selecting the preferred time, the first interaction manager 13 associated with the communication device 700.
0 may send the selected time to the second interaction manager 180 for approval. The second interaction manager 180 can query the recipient 190 if the recipient 190 wants to accept this selection. If the recipient 190 associated with the second interaction manager 180 approves the selected time for future communication, the sender 1 may optionally
The scheduling information associated with 10 and the recipient 190 may be updated to schedule this future communication.

It should be noted that while the text input box 710 allows the user to enter a single date, various exemplary embodiments use a date range such as March 26-29. You can also It should also be appreciated that the range of date information is not limited to consecutive dates. Further, the date information may be in one or more time ranges of any length (eg, between 6 pm and 9 pm, etc. for a particular date or dates). Finally, it should be appreciated that in various exemplary embodiments, the date may not be required. For example, in these exemplary embodiments, the user simply provides sufficient information to indicate that he desires future communication. Therefore, the second interaction manager 180 may, for example,
Determine the times available to each other based on one or more criteria.

The exemplary communication device 700 uses a text entry box 710 and multiple selection areas 720-740, but with various parameters such as a date for future communications and a time selected for future communications. Many graphical user interface selection systems, check boxes, buttons, list boxes, pop-up or drop-down marks,
It should be appreciated that a variety of devices accessible to the operator can be used, such as a text entry box or any other known or later developed graphical or text interface. In addition to or in addition to the above, communication device 700 may include many mechanical devices such as command line interfaces, touch sensitive displays, keyboards, buttons and knobs without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Such as selection elements,
It should also be appreciated that any device capable of receiving or defining a request for future communication may be included.

Similarly, a display device used to bring information to a user, as described herein, may be an auditory output device, a tactile (touch) output device, or any other device that has a user-perceptible output. It should be appreciated that other variations are possible using devices that interact with the user in other ways that are perceptible to humans, such as known or later-developed devices.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a communications device interface 800 that can be used to schedule deferred communications. Communication interface 800 includes a message area 810 that can be used to inform the caller that a particular communication channel is currently available, and a communication channel area that can be used to indicate that a particular communication channel is currently available. And 820.

In an exemplary mode of operation, the communication device interface 800 may be invoked when the second interaction manager 180 determines that the selected communication channel is available. For example, the caller 110 interacting with the first communication device may cause the first interaction manager 130 to send a request for deferred communication to the second interaction manager 180.
Alternatively, the first interaction manager 130 may automatically transmit the request for deferred communication in response to the instruction from the second interaction manager 180 that the recipient is not convenient.

The request for deferred communication causes the second interaction manager 180 to wait a specified or predetermined period until a particular communication channel, such as a pager or cell phone, becomes available. When the communication channel becomes available during the waiting period, the second interaction manager 180 may return a message to the first interaction manager 130 indicating the availability of the desired communication channel. In response, the first interaction manager 130 may cause the communication device interface 800 to display an appropriate message indicating that the communication device has been or is currently available.

Furthermore, the first interaction manager 1
The caller 110 associated with 30 may select the displayed communication channel by selecting the communication channel area 820 using a pointing device, such as a mouse device. When the caller 110 associated with the first interaction manager 130 selects the communication channel area 820,
The first interaction manager 130 may send an acceptance message informing the second interaction manager 180 that communication via the indicated communication channel should take place.

FIG. 9 can be used to implement the first exemplary embodiment of the second interaction manager 180.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a hardware system, a software system, or a hardware / software composite system. As shown in FIG. 9, in this first exemplary embodiment, the second interaction manager 180 includes a controller 910, a memory 920, a local input / output interface circuit or routine 930, a database 940, and a calendar system. 950 and a network input / output interface circuit or routine 960. The data / control bus 915 allows the controller 910 to be linked to other devices 920-960.

In the first operation mode, the controller 91
0 receives the exchange request via the network input / output interface 960 and stores this information in the memory 920. Once the request for interaction is stored, controller 910 determines the identifier associated with the request for interaction. The identifier can be extracted from the interaction request itself, or can be obtained via information stored outside the interaction manager 180. For example, controller 910 may interact with an automatic number identification (ANI) system to obtain a caller ID for a caller. The identifier can be, for example, a cook associated with the caller's Internet phone or personal computer.
It may be extracted from the IE file.

Once the controller 910 has determined the caller's ID (identifier), the controller 910 can determine the interaction information to be provided to this caller.
The controller 910 can query the database 940 for information about the caller using the caller's identifier. For example, the database 940 may be a relational database that stores information about various callers in tables. Further, the originator's identifier may serve as a key or index value to one or more such tables.

The database 940 can include various information that the interaction manager 180 can use to determine or create the appropriate interaction space 200 for its caller. For example, the originator may be a friend of the recipient. In this case, the recipient may have registered the sender as a friend in database 940. If the caller is registered as a friend in the database 940, the controller 910 can provide the caller with the appropriate level of information via the local I / O interface 930.

Controller 910 may use other information to make appropriate decisions to provide interaction information. For example, controller 910 may access database 940 and / or obtain additional information that the recipient is currently attending an important meeting. For example, controller 910 may query via calendar system 950 to determine the recipient's current availability. The appointment information could also indicate that the recipient is currently in a meeting.

For example, the controller 910 can also determine that the status of the meeting is of high importance based on the social context of the meeting. For example, the meeting indicated by the calendar information may be held in the boardroom. Then, the controller 910
Could decide that this conference is very important to the recipient. Therefore, the controller 910
During the time that this conference is taking place, the amount of interaction information provided to most callers may be limited. In this way, the controller 910 may only provide a general message about the recipient's inconvenience during the meeting time. However, the recipient may provide his pager number to callers with high access levels.

If the database 940 does not have an entry for the caller, the caller may be presented or otherwise presented with a general interaction space. For example, the originator may not be acquainted with the recipient and there may be no information about the originator in database 940. Since there is no pre-existing relationship between the sender and the recipient, the access level could be considered low.

Once the interaction information is displayed to the caller, the caller may choose to interact with the recipient at the present time or to decide future interactions. For example, the interaction manager associated with the recipient may present the caller with interaction information indicating that the recipient is in a meeting. In this case,
The caller may wish to have a future communication planned with the recipient. Similarly, the interaction information presented to the caller indicates that the recipient is currently using a particular communication device, such as a cell phone, until the caller has the desired communication channel available. , May present the option to defer communication on that preferred communication channel. However, the originator may still choose future communication with the recipient, even if the interaction information presented to the originator indicates that the recipient is currently available, and / Or it may be required to defer communication until the desired communication channel is available.
In various exemplary embodiments, requests for negotiation of future communications and / or requests for deferment of communications may be processed without first receiving an interaction request.

In the first operation mode, the controller 91
0 can receive a request for future communication via the network input / output interface 960 and store the request for future communication in the memory 920. This request for future communication may be separate from, or combined with, other requests received. If the interaction request and / or the request for deferred communication was previously received, the interaction manager 180
The sender's ID may already be recognized from the original exchange request.

The controller 910 may use the desired date information for future communication from future communication requests stored in the memory 920. Controller 910
Using this date information, the calendar system 950
Schedule information may be obtained from the server to determine mutually available times for future communications.

Assuming the request has been accepted, the controller 910 can access the calendar system 950 with the sender and recipient identifiers to obtain the appointment information and determine the times available to each other. . For example, calendar system 950 may include appointment information for each day of a particular month. Furthermore, schedule information for a particular day of both parties may be obtained to determine if there is a matching free time. This matching free time is then formatted as a list of times available to each other and sent to the first interaction manager 130 via the network I / O interface 960 for display to the requester and selection by the requester. May be.

The communication device associated with the first interaction manager 130 may display a list of mutually available times for the requester to select. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication device may display this information so that the caller can select, for example, a portion of the screen having a hypertext link to choose the appropriate time. .

Once the caller has made the appropriate selection, the response may be returned to the second interaction manager 180. Controller 910 may store this request in memory 920 immediately upon receiving a response via network I / O interface 960. At this point, the requester has selected a desired time for future communication from the list of times available to each other,
The selected desired time may be displayed on the second communication device by the second interaction manager 180.

For example, the controller 910 may direct, via the local I / O interface 930, to the recipient's 190 communication device to display the appropriate message, which the recipient 190 may use at the suggested time in the future. You may decide whether or not to accept as the time for the communication of. Recipient 190 may optionally return another desired time for future communications. In this way, the parties may have "round-trip" negotiations for future communications until both parties find a desired time for interaction.

Assuming that the recipient 190 has accepted the time for future communication selected by the caller 110, the controller 910 will set the calendar to reflect the future communication scheduled here. The system 950 can be updated or updated. That is, the calendar system 950 may be updated so that the times selected for future communications are shown in their respective personal calendars of both parties.

In various exemplary embodiments, controller 910 is implemented using a programmed general purpose computer. However, in other embodiments, the controller 910 may be a programmed dedicated computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller, an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete device circuit, or the like. , PLD, PLA, FPGA
Alternatively, a programmable logic device such as PAL may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The memory 920 can be implemented using static RAM or dynamic RAM. However, the memory 920 may be implemented using flexible disks and disk drives, writable optical disks and disk drives, hard disk drives, flash memory, or the like without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, the memory 920 may be a non-volatile memory or a volatile memory.

In various exemplary embodiments, a local I / O interface circuit or routine 930, and
Alternatively, the network input / output interface circuit or routine 960 may be a hardwire interface. However, in another exemplary embodiment, a local I / O interface circuit or routine 930, and / or
Alternatively, the network input / output interface circuit or routine 960 may be a universal asynchronous transceiver (UART),
From another device, such as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), parallel digital interface, software interface, or any combination of known or later-developed software and / or hardware elements. And any other device suitable for transmitting information to another device. Although the local I / O interface circuit or routine 930 and the network I / O interface circuit or routine 960 are shown as separate devices in FIG. 9, the I / O functions may be implemented by a single device or by multiple individual devices. It will be appreciated that work may be done without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

In various exemplary embodiments, database 940 can be implemented using a single database management system (DBMS) that is managed by controller 910 and resides on memory such as a hard disk. However, it should also be appreciated that the database 940 may be implemented on one or more individual computer systems. For example, database 940 may reside on a separate computer system and / or server that has a relational database capable of executing SQL instructions. Calendar system 950 may be any calendar or scheduling system or software application capable of providing and storing information regarding scheduled events or activities associated with a particular person or group of people. For example, the calendar system 950 includes multiple entries,
It may include a plurality of time periods in which activities or events of one or more persons associated therewith may occur. It should be noted that the information stored in calendar system 950 may be stored in various types of computer systems, including personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc., residing on one or more computer systems.

An exemplary local input / output interface circuit or routine 930 is, for example, Microsoft
Internet Explorer and Netsca
A caller 110 or recipient 190 with a suitable web browser such as peNavigator / Communicator can generate hypertext markup language (HTML) code to provide screen output that can be viewed over the Internet. ,
Software modules can be included. But,
Local input / output interface circuit or routine 930
It should be appreciated that may instead generate a voice report that can be played back to the caller 110, eg, via a telephone. Further, any known or later developed output generating device or technique, such as electromechanical printing devices, various displays, etc., for providing information to the caller 110 may be used within the spirit and scope of the present invention. It should also be appreciated that it can be used without departing.

In the second communication mode, the controller 91
0 may receive a request for deferred communication via the network I / O interface circuit or routine 960 and store the request in memory 920. In addition, the controller 910 requests deferred communication over a particular communication channel via a local I / O interface circuit or routine 930 linked via link 175 to a communication device (not shown) associated with the recipient 190. Can be generated to indicate that a message has been received. Caller 1
10 may choose to accept or reject the request for deferred communication. Alternatively, the second interaction manager 180 may request the deferred communication based on predetermined or determined criteria, such as criteria based on the relationship between the originator 110 and the recipient 190 and / or the current state of the recipient 190. You may automatically accept or reject.

Assuming that the request for deferred communication has been accepted, the controller 910 can wait a predetermined or specified length of time until the communication channel shown is available. If the communication channel is not available at the end of the waiting time, the controller 91
0 may send a notification to the first interaction manager 130 via the network I / O interface 960 that the request was not satisfied. However, if the indicated communication channel becomes available within the waiting time, the controller 910 notifies the first interaction manager 130 via the network I / O interface 960 that the channel is currently available. Can be sent. Caller 110
However, upon receiving the notification that the communication channel is available, the caller 110 may choose to interact with the recipient 190 via this communication channel. Figure 8
As shown in, the user may select a communication channel, for example by clicking on a hypertext link.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart outlining a first exemplary embodiment of a technique for processing future communication requests. Start at step S100, then step S
Proceeding to 200, the second interaction manager receives a request for future communication from the first interaction manager. The request may include caller ID, communication device and mode of communication. In this exemplary embodiment, the caller may use an Internet-based telephone (webphone) to contact the recipient's Interaction Manager. The interaction manager of the recipient is the Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTT).
P) It can exist on the server.

Next, in step S300, it is determined whether to accept a request for future communication. If the recipient accepts the request, or if the Interaction Manager associated with the recipient decides to accept the request, proceed to step S400. If the request is not accepted, jump to step S700.

In step S400, schedule information is obtained from one or more calendar systems of both the sender and the recipient. This involves querying various information systems using the requested date or the time period associated with the request. For example, the schedule information of the sender and the receiver for a specific date range stored in the memory area may be acquired. Next, in step S500, the time when the sender and the receiver can use each other is determined from the acquired schedule information of the sender and the receiver. This may be accomplished by comparing the list of times and associated appointments or free times of the caller and recipient. For times when there is free time that matches both the sender and the recipient, the times available to each other are shown.

Next, in step S600, a list of mutually available times is formatted and sent to the requestor. The operation then jumps to step S800.
On the other hand, in step S700, a notification to the requester that the request was not satisfied is formatted and sent to the requester. Next, the process proceeds to step S800, and this process (method) ends there.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart outlining a first exemplary embodiment of a technique for processing a desired time selection for future communications. Beginning at step S1000 and proceeding to step S1100, a response message is received from the requester indicating a desired time for future communication. The response message from the requester may include the requester's identifier, the desired communication mode, and the selected desired time for future communication.

Next, in step S1200, it is determined whether to accept the selected time for future communications. For example, the selected time for future communication may be displayed on the communication device associated with the caller. In this case, the caller may choose to accept or reject the response. If the caller accepts the time for future communication, proceed to step S1300. If not accepted, the process jumps to step S1400. In step S1300, the calendar system associated with the caller and the recipient may be coordinated to schedule future communications during the selected time period. Next, step S1
Jump to 500. On the other hand, in step S1400, the requester is notified that the request was not satisfied. Next, the processing proceeds to step S1500, and this processing (method) ends there.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart outlining a first exemplary embodiment of a technique for processing a request for deferred communication. Start in step S2000, step S2
Proceeding to 100, a request for deferred communication is received by the second interaction manager. The request for deferred communication may include information about the caller's ID, the communication device and the desired communication mode. Further, the information received from the caller may include the maximum time that the communication will be postponed. Alternatively, a predetermined maximum time may be used.

Next, in step S2200, it is determined whether to accept the request. The interaction manager associated with the recipient may query the recipient via the recipient's communication device as to whether to defer communication until the desired communication device or channel is available. Alternatively, it may be determined without direct involvement of the recipient, for example using criteria based on the relationship between the sender and the recipient and / or the status of the recipient. When the request is accepted, the process proceeds to step S2300. If not accepted, the process jumps to step S2600.

In step S2300, the second interaction manager waits for the designated channel to become available. In this case, the second interaction manager periodically causes the operating system component associated with the desired communication device or channel to determine if the desired communication device or channel is currently available. You may poll. Alternatively,
The second interaction manager may simply wait until it receives the notification that the preferred communication device or channel is available. For example, when the recipient disconnects the communication device or channel, the network may inform the second interaction manager that the communication device or channel is currently available.

Next, in step S2400, it is determined whether the maximum standby time has been exceeded. This maximum time may be a predetermined time or may be given by the recipient or caller. The recipient or sender is
For example, the value of the maximum waiting time may be set using the option selection screen. If the maximum waiting time is not exceeded,
It proceeds to step S2500. If it exceeds, jump to step S2600. In step S2500,
The requester is notified that the desired communication device or channel is currently available. Next, the process jumps to step S2700. On the other hand, in step S2600, the recipient is notified that the request was not satisfied. next,
In step S2700, this process (method) ends.

In various exemplary embodiments, the systems and methods of this invention can be implemented using a general purpose computer system. However, the system and method of the present invention
One or more programmed general purpose computers, programmed microprocessors or microcontrollers and peripheral integrated circuit devices, ASICs or other integrated circuits, digital signal processors, wiring electronic or logic circuits such as discrete device circuits, PLDs, PLAs, FPGAs Alternatively, it can be implemented using any of programmable logic devices such as PAL. In general, using any device capable of implementing a finite state machine and thus implementing the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 10-12 and / or the interaction manager shown in FIGS. 1 and / or 9. The system and method of the present invention can be implemented.

Although the present invention has been described in connection with the various exemplary embodiments outlined above, those skilled in the art will appreciate many alternatives,
Obviously, variations and modifications will be apparent. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a system for managing electronic communications using various techniques for negotiating future communications.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an interaction space.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary communication device illustrating the use of interaction space in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary communication device illustrating the use of interaction space in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing exemplary schedule information associated with a user of the system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing exemplary schedule information associated with a user of the system.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an example communications device that illustrates an interaction space for negotiating future communications with another party.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an example communications apparatus illustrating the use of interaction space to notify interested parties that a preferred communications channel is available.

9 is an exemplary block diagram of the interaction manager shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of a technique for requesting future communication and a technique for requesting deferred communication.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an outline of a technique for requesting future communication and a technique for requesting deferred communication.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline of a technique for requesting future communication and a technique for requesting deferred communication.

[Explanation of symbols]

100 electronic communication system 110 Caller 190 recipients 130 Interaction Manager 150 communication infrastructure 180 Interaction Manager 200 interaction space 910 controller 920 memory 930 Local I / O interface 940 database 950 calendar system 960 network input / output interface

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5K024 AA01 AA75 HH00                 5K036 BB00 DD05 DD32 DD48                 5K101 KK00 LL01 NN01 NN11 NN21

Claims (31)

[Claims] 1. A method of negotiating future communication between a first party and a second party, the method comprising: receiving a request from the first party for future communication with the second party. A step of acquiring schedule information of both the first related person and the second related person based on the request for the future communication; and for establishing communication between the first related person and the second related person. , At least 1 using the acquired schedule information
Determining the time available to each other, and a method of negotiating future communications. 2. The step of acquiring the schedule information includes acquiring schedule information from at least one electronic calendar system of at least one of the first related party and the second related party. the method of. 3. The schedule information includes a plurality of hours, each of the plurality of hours including a free time that does not include a scheduled activity expected to occur at that time, or at least one of the hours. The method of claim 2, wherein the scheduled time is any of the scheduled times that include expected activities to be taken. 4. The step of determining the at least one mutually available time determines at least one opportunity for each free time of the first party and the second party to be available to each other. The method of claim 1, comprising: 5. The step of determining the at least one mutually available time is negotiated between an interaction manager associated with the first party and an interaction manager associated with the second party. The method of claim 4, comprising: 6. Sending a list of at least one opportunity of mutually available free time to an interaction manager associated with said first party, from said list of at least one opportunity of mutually available free time. , Displaying at least one time on the interaction manager associated with the first party, and at least one of the displayed mutually available free times in response to input from the first party. The method of claim 5, further comprising: selecting a desired time for future communication from one opportunity. 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step of sending an indication to an interaction manager associated with the second party indicating the desired time for the selected future communication. 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the negotiation of future communications occurs in response to unsuccessful attempts to interact between the first party and the second party. 9. A method for deferring communication between a first party and a second party, the method comprising: receiving a deferment request for deferred communication from the first party; and a desired deferred request associated with the deferral request. Identifying a communication channel, and waiting until the desired communication channel becomes available and / or at least one of a predetermined amount of time elapses. 10. The method further comprising sending a message to the first party in response to either the availability of or the availability of the identified desired communication channel. 9. The method according to 9. 11. The method comprising: performing the receiving step, the identifying step, and the waiting step using an interaction manager associated with the first party and an interaction manager associated with the second party. Item 11. The method according to Item 10. 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the deferment of the communication occurs in response to unsuccessful attempted interaction between the first party and the second party. 13. The method of claim 10, wherein the message to the first party indicates that the identified desired communication channel is available. 14. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step of sending a message to the first party when the identified desired communication channel becomes available. 15. The method comprising: performing the receiving step, the identifying step, and the waiting step using an interaction manager associated with the first party and an interaction manager associated with the second party. Item 14. The method according to Item 14. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the deferment of the communication occurs in response to unsuccessful attempted interaction between the first party and the second party. 17. A system for negotiating future communication between a first party and a second party, comprising: an input interface for receiving a request for future communication with the second party from the first party. , For obtaining schedule information of both the first related party and the second related party based on the future communication request, and for establishing communication between the first related party and the second related party. And a controller that determines at least one mutually available time based on the schedule information. 18. The input interface is the first interface.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein schedule information is obtained from at least one electronic calendar system of at least one of a party and the second party. 19. The schedule information includes a plurality of hours, each of the plurality of hours including a free time that does not include a scheduled activity expected to occur during that time, or at least one of the time. 19. The system of claim 18, which is any of the scheduled times including scheduled activities that are expected to occur at. 20. The controller determines the at least one mutually available time by determining at least one opportunity during which the free time between the first party and the second party is mutually available. Claim 1
7. The system according to 7. 21. An output interface for sending a list of at least one opportunity of free time available to each other to an interaction manager associated with the first party; and a list of at least one opportunity of free time available to each other. An output device for outputting at least one opportunity from the first related party via an interaction manager associated with the first related person, and in response to input from the first related person. 18. The system of claim 17, further comprising: a selection component that enables selecting a desired time for future communication from at least one opportunity of the free time available to each other. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising a second output interface for sending an interaction manager associated with the second party an indication of a desired time selected for the future communication. system. 23. The system of claim 17, wherein the system negotiates the future communication in response to unsuccessful attempts to interact between the first party and the second party. system. 24. A system for suspending communication between a first party and a second party, identifying an input interface for receiving a suspend request from the first party and a desired communication channel associated with the suspend request. And a controller that waits until at least one of the desired communication channel becoming available and / or a predetermined period of time elapses. 25. In response to a signal from the controller, if the identified desired communication channel is either available or has become available, the identified desired communication channel. 25. The system of claim 24, further comprising an output interface that sends a message that a channel is available to the first party. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the controller processes a deferral request in response to an unsuccessful attempted interaction between the first party and the second party. 27. The output interface of claim 24, further comprising: an output interface for sending a message to the first party that the identified desired communication channel is available in response to a signal from the controller. The system described. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the controller processes a deferral request in response to unsuccessful attempted interaction between the first party and the second party. 29. The system of claim 27, wherein a deferral request from the first party is automatically generated by an interaction manager of the first party. 30. A program for negotiating future communication between a first party and a second party, wherein a request for future communication with the second party is received from the first party. In order to obtain schedule information of both the first related party and the second related party based on the future communication request, and to establish communication between the first related party and the second related party, At least 1 using the acquired schedule information
A program for negotiating future communications that determines two mutually available times. 31. In a program for suspending communication between a first party and a second party, a suspend request for suspend communication is received from the first party, and a desired request related to the suspend request is received. A program for postponing communication, which identifies a communication channel, and waits until at least one of the desired communication channel becoming available and a predetermined time period elapses.