KR101027826B1 - Method and system for communicating between devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A communication service is provided that allows an end user to communicate bidirectionally over a communication channel using individually selected communication interfaces at each endpoint of the channel. Each end user can select a receiving interface that presents communications to the end user in a format that is most desirable for the end user. As a result, the end user is no longer dependent on the interface selected by the initiator of the communication. The communication service can be used to allow users of instant messaging (IM) services to seamlessly communicate with users of voice services, such as Push-to-Talk-over-Cellular (PoC) services.

Network, communication service, subscriber communication profile, IM service

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMMUNICATING BETWEEN DEVICES}

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention generally relates to the field of networking, and more particularly, to a service that enables two-way communication between devices in a network using different communication interfaces at each of the devices.

Telecommunication service providers provide a variety of communication services that enable subscribers to communicate with each other over a network infrastructure. The services may include Instant Messaging (IM) services that allow subscribers to exchange text based communications over the network infrastructure. IM services enable subscribers to deliver text messages to other devices connected to the network and to enable end users to join an IM 'chat' with another end user. IM services also provide a number of other capabilities, such as maintaining buddy lists and identifying friends' presence and accessibility. Text messages are manually entered into the IM service using a universal keyboard or other type of passive interface, received and displayed on the visual interface. Since an IM requires some form of manual input, the IM is not always a convenient form of communication for the end user. For example, mobile end users may engage in instant messages in other situations, such as when driving, when the user cannot easily read the display and / or because both hands are not free to provide manual input. Safety issues can arise.

Push-to-Talk, voice chat, and push-to-talk via mobile phone applications allow users to 'talk' to other people by essentially using a walkie talkie service. Such services may be 'hands free' which enables a user who is unable to read or manually enter text while driving in a car or otherwise communicates with others using voice. One problem with voice communications is that, in the case of voice communications, there is a lack of inherent privacy in text communications. In addition, some devices, such as computer terminals connected to a network, may not include circuitry for voice communications.

In existing technology, when an end user initiates communication with another end user in the network infrastructure, the initiating end user chooses between using voice, IM, or another communication service. The initiating end user will select a service based on the subjective convenience of the particular communication interface. In current technology, a receiving end user is forced to communicate using a service (and associated service interface) selected by the initiating end user, which may be inconvenient or unsafe for the receiving end user.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, Communication Services (CS) are provided that allow each end user in a connected state to individually select between text messaging and voice communications, and the CS provides each end user with It allows you to communicate in the safest and most convenient way that fits your particular situation. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for delivering communications to a device connected to a network includes receiving a communication directed to an end user associated with the device. The communication is received in its original form associated with the first type of communication service. The method includes accessing a subscriber communication profile associated with an end user, a subscriber communication profile identifying a desired format for delivery of communication to a device associated with the end user. The communication is delivered to the end user in the desired format indicated in the subscriber communication profile.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a device is provided that includes a computer readable medium. The device includes service program code stored therein, wherein the service program code, when executed, receives communications from the first end user and directed to the second end user from a first form associated with the first end user. It can be translated into a second format, indicated as the preferred representation format for the two end users, so that each of the first end user and the second end user communicates using the preferred communication interface.

Such a configuration allows two communicating end users to each use their preferred communication interface when participating in two-way communication. For example, in communications supported by the service of the present invention, two or more end users communicate by using an IM service via a universal keyboard while the other end user communicates using voice, You can join the conversation. The service of the present invention transforms communications prior to delivery to each end user so that each end user communicates in the desired format.

These and other advantages of the present invention will now be described with reference to the following figures.

1 is a block diagram of a network in which the services of the present invention may be employed with advantages;

2 is a block diagram illustrating several exemplary components that may be included in a service of the present invention;

3A-3C show exemplary embodiments of subscriber communication profiles for subscribers to the service of the present invention;

4 is a flow diagram illustrating exemplary steps that may be performed by a client of a service of the present invention to register for a service and populate a profile, such as those described in FIGS. 3A-3C;

5 is a functional flow diagram provided to illustrate exemplary steps that may be performed by the service of the present invention.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a communication service is provided that enables end users to communicate bidirectionally over a communication channel using different communication interfaces at each end-point of the channel. In one embodiment, each end user may select a receiving interface that provides communications to the end user in a format that is most desired for the end user. For example, while driving a car, a first end user with limited ability to read text or perform manual entry may want to receive voice messages and send voice communications. The second end user in communication with the first end user may seek privacy, and thus may choose to send and receive textual communications.

In another embodiment, the representation format of the communication at the endpoints of the communication channel may be controlled by the communication service using presence information associated with each end user. For example, if end users are in a location where voice communication is prohibited, such as in a hospital or theater, the communication service may ensure that the communications are forwarded by text rather than by voice. The presence information may be provided by an end user or obtained in a manner known to those skilled in the art using information provided by the network itself. Alternatively, the end user may control the selection of the communication interface by providing a geographic or temporal schedule for the service that controls the format of representation of the communications for the end user. The communication service can support both point to point and point to multi-point communications, with each end having the ability to control its own presentation format.

1 is a diagram of a network 10 including an application server that supports the CS of the present invention. Network 10 is shown as including a combination of mobile network infrastructure 14 and wide area network (WAN) infrastructure (which may be, for example, the Internet), but for the operation of the present invention, It will be appreciated that not all of the forms of the presented network infrastructures are required.

Mobile network 14 forwards cellular communications to mobile devices, such as cell phone 12, using analog or digitized radio frequency signals using any one of the well known cellular communication protocols. hardware and software supporting cellular communications, including base stations and Mobile Telephone Switching Offices (MTSOs) that can be used to forward. WAN 16 is a network of interconnected computer devices and networks that transmit data by packet switching using standard Internet Protocol (IP). In addition to supporting Voice over IP (VoIP), the IP network provides a variety of information such as e-mail, online conversations, file transfers, and other documents and interlinked web pages of the World Wide Web. Can deliver services VoIP is also generally referred to as IP telephony, Internet telephony, broadband telephony, broadband telephony over broadband and voice, and is the routing of voice conversations over the Internet or any other IP based network. 1 shows a laptop device 11 configured to communicate with other devices connected to a WAN 16 using an IP protocol.

The network 10 of FIG. 1 also includes a gateway 24 connected to mobile and WAN infrastructures. In one embodiment, the gateway may be a service provider gateway that manages communications between mobile and WAN network infrastructures. The service provider gateway is also shown connected to the application servers 18 and 22. Service providers typically maintain a variety of application servers that control the delivery of various services to subscribers. The gateway 24 manages communications received from each mobile and WAN network to enable application servers to support the subscriber's contracted set of services.

The most common service provided by service providers in mobile networks is the voice service. Voice services include conventional cellular voice services and VoIP services. Conventional mobile telephone networks and devices use two-way full-duplex communications, allowing customers to call others on a mobile or landline network, and to speak and listen with other parties simultaneously. Connections in a cellular communication network are initiated by dialing a telephone number and the other party answers the call, and the connection is established until either party ends the call, or the connection is interrupted due to loss of signal or network unavailability. Remain active. Such a system does not allow unintended transmission to other parties on the network without dialing first. Bidirectional simultaneous transmission operation on mobile telephone networks is achievable using separate frequencies for transmission and reception.

Mobile Push-to-Talk (PTT) services provided by some carriers allow individual half duplex transmissions to be sent to another party on the system without requiring a pre-established connection. Allow. Because the system is semi-duplex, only one communication frequency is used, so only one user can transmit using PTT at a time, and the other party can send a message by unkeying the PTT button. It cannot be sent until the connection is released. In essence, the PTT service is similar to the walkie-talkie service.

A version of PTT based on 2.5G or 3G packet switched networks and using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and / or Real-Time Transport Protocol (RTP) is referred to as Push-to-Talk-over-Cellular (PoC). do. The PoC architecture is described in document number OMA-AD PoC-v1 0-20060609, entitled "Push to talk over Cellular-Architecture", provided by the Open Mobile Alliance, and is referred to herein. Included as. In essence, the PoC service enables mobile users to establish voice communications in a walkie-talkie fashion with one or more other mobile users via a shared frequency. Other walkie-talkie based services include voice chat services. Voice conversation is a recent form of communication used on the Internet. The means of communicating using voice conversation is via any messengers, mainly Yahoo ^™ , AOL ^™ or MSN messenger ^™ . Voice conversations have led to a marked increase in telecommunications where two people can talk almost freely from the other side of the world.

Although the present invention uses PoC and IM as examples of services that can be integrated using the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to using PoC and IM services. Rather, the invention has the advantage that it can be used to provide an interface between any two types of communication services, including, but not limited to, PTT, voice conversation, IM, PoC, MSN Messenger, and the like. I think that. Thus, the use of specific terms (such as PoC, IM, etc.) is only understood by way of example, and those skilled in the art may substitute other services instead of them according to the needs of a particular design.

1 shows an application server 18 that may include functionality as described in the International Mobility Standards Organization PoC Architecture document for supporting PoC communications.

Another common service provided by a service provider is an IM service. IM refers to passing messages between users in near real time. These messages are generally short, but it is understood that no brevity is required. IMs are often used in conversation mode, ie delivery of back and forth messages is fast enough for participants to maintain a two-way conversation. Typical IM services include the American Online Instant Messaging (AIM) service.

As mentioned above, service providers typically provide a wide range of services. Some services may have more availability and desirability for certain types of subscriber devices depending on various characteristics of the subscriber device. The characteristic may be a static characteristic such as the mobility of the device or the interfaces provided by the device. For example, voice services may have less utility than IM services for personal computers because personal computers are operated using a keyboard interface, typically do not have high quality microphones, and are relatively mobile. . Instant message services may be less useful or less desirable than voice services for mobile cellular phones because many smaller telephones have limited or demanding keypad input. Dynamic properties that control the relative desirability of different services include the location and environment of use for the device and the time of use of the device. For example, privacy issues may make people less likely to use voice services at their gathered locations than to use text-based IM services.

The CS of the present invention provides the ability to control how session communications are received by a subscriber. Session communications may include, but are not limited to PoC communications and IM communications. For example, the subscriber may choose to receive IM or PoC communications as either text messages or voice clips. In addition, multiple subscribers may utilize a service to establish a conversation session with one or more other subscribers, various subscribers, using different interfaces for receiving communications. As a result, each subscriber is no longer dependent on the communication interface selected by the transmitting device, but rather can customize his or her communication experience to best suit his or her needs. One embodiment of the CS of the present invention is shown in this example as being implemented as a conversion service 20, which may be an exemplary IM / PoC conversion service running on the application server 22 of FIG.

As an example, in FIG. 1, end user A at laptop device 11 may establish a conversation session with end user B at mobile phone 12. End user A may want all session communications to be received as text, while end user B may want to receive session communications as voice. Dotted line 25 shows the communication path from end user A to end user B. FIG. The IM from A is forwarded into the WAN 16 and intercepted by the gateway 24, which forwards the communication to the server 22. Server 22 examines the profile associated with end user B to identify B's preferred interface for receipt of communications. In the example of FIG. 1, assume that B prefers to receive voice communications. The server 22 converts the IM destined for the device 12 into a PoC voice communication (eg, using a text-to-speech converter) and forwards it to the gateway 24 for export. The server 18 controlling PoC communications intercepts PoC communications and controls the delivery of PoC communications to the device 12.

Mobile phone 12 may respond to the IM using PoC communication. PoC communication is intercepted by the gateway 22. The gateway 22 forwards the communication to the end user A by examining the profile information for the end user A and converting the PoC communication into a format for representation on the interface desired by the end user A. For example, if end user A prefers text, conversion service 20 performs voice-to-text conversion. Alternatively, conversion service 20 may convert the PoC voice stream into a voice clip provided by end user A.

The translation service 20 can be implemented in a combination of hardware and software. Several representative components of the exemplary translation service 20 are shown in FIG. 2. An example PoC / IM conversion service may include a subscriber communication profile table 30 that stores a subscriber ID 31a and an interface preference 31b for each subscriber. For cellular subscribers, subscriber ID 31a may include a mobile Electronic Serial Number (ESN), a Mobile Identification Number (MIN), and the like. For Internet subscribers, subscriber ID 31a may be an internet address. The invention is not limited to a particular form for identifying subscribers, but rather includes any means by which devices connected to a network can be identified by a service provider.

Interface preference 31b includes one or more fields that indicate the desired interface for reception of communication by each subscriber for the service. Although the subscriber communication profile of FIG. 2 includes only the subscriber ID and the desired interface, the subscriber communication profile may take various forms in accordance with an aspect of the present invention. Several exemplary subscriber communication profile formats are shown in FIGS. 3A-3C. 3A shows standard fields of a subscriber communication profile, showing a session ID 40 identifying a communication session and the desired interface 42 for each subscriber participating in the session. Although not shown in FIG. 3A, the subscriber communication profile may include more details. For example, since there may be a separate interface for each type of communication received at the subscriber, IM text may be represented using a different interface than PoC voice. In addition, the desired interface may change as the location or environment of the end user or device changes. In one embodiment, a user may customize the service experience by changing the desired receiving interface based on their schedule if the schedule reflects changes in location, activity, environment or other characteristics. 3B shows a subscriber communication profile including a reception interface schedule. The subscriber communication profile can be further customized to use different interfaces for communication channels with different attributes. For example, it may be desirable to select one interface for another based on the identity of end users, security of the exchange, characteristics of the network, and the like. 3C shows a subscriber communication profile that is customized to use different receive interfaces for communications with preselected attributes. It will be appreciated that there are various ways in which subscriber communication profiles can be customized for specific needs or exchanges of end users, and the invention is not limited to including any specific information in the profile.

Referring back to FIG. 2, in addition to the subscriber communication profile table 30, the translation service 20 includes interface customization logic 26. Interface customization logic 26 includes hardware and software, the hardware may include a processing engine, and the software may include computer code such as object oriented computer code residing on a computer readable medium. It may include. The interface customization logic may operate in response to received control signals and other signals when the subscriber registers with the service to maintain the subscriber communication profile table 30. The interface customization logic 26 accesses the subscriber communication profile table 30 to provide the converter 34 with the conversion type during subsequent communication with the subscriber. Gateway interface 35 operates to exchange communication between application server 22 and gateway 24 (FIG. 1). Input buffers 36 are provided to store the communication received at the server 22, while the output buffers 37 respond to the preference information of the subscriber communication profile before forwarding the communication to the subscribers through the gateway. To store the communications selectively modified by the converter 34.

The converter 34 includes a function of converting a text message into a voice message or a voice clip and converting the voice message into a text message. Many conversion tools for performing both tasks exist in the art and can be used herein. According to one embodiment, the translator may be programmed to recognize shorthand slang terms and may be programmed to provide voice equivalents for the shorthand slang terms. For example, the translator recognizes the abbreviation 'lol' and inserts the words 'lots of laughs' into the voice clip. Additional sounds may be inserted into the voice communication to represent textual emoticons, which are typically provided in text messages to convey emotions. Also, other configurations for the converter are contemplated herein, which allow the converter to more faithfully convey the content and context of the text message, and the present invention is not limited to the above examples.

4 is a flow diagram illustrating various exemplary steps that may be executed during the process 50 performed by an end user client registering for the communication service of the present invention. In one embodiment, the service is implemented as a client / server application in which the end user manipulates the client portion of the service and the application server 22 hosts the server portion of the service. In step 52, the client connects with the application server, for example by registering or logging to the server using a predetermined password.

In step 54, as part of the connection process, the end user forwards the end user specific information to the translation service 20. The end user specific information may include subscriber communication profile, friend list and the like. It should be noted that the subscriber communication profile and friend list may alternatively be provided when the subscriber initially registers for the service, or may develop as the subscriber continues to use the service. For example, the service may include pull down menus, etc., allowing the end user to dynamically customize the subscriber communication profile and associated presentation interface. The communication service of the present invention may also include the ability to monitor the characteristics of the end user device, such as presence, and to change the subscriber communication profile of the end user in response to dynamic changes in the characteristics of the end user device. .

In step 56, if preliminary information (such as registration information, profile information, friend list, etc.) is exchanged between the client and the server, the client device may initiate communication using a service, for example SIP.

5 is a flow diagram illustrating various exemplary steps that may be performed by the communication service of the present invention when receiving communications between users in an active session. In step 62, communication associated with the service is received at the application server 22, which extracts the session identifier and the subscriber identifier. In step 64, using the session identifier and the subscriber identifier, the service retrieves the subscriber communication profile. Using the subscriber communication profile (and other potentially external information, such as presence information related to time of day or end user), the communication service identifies the desired end user interface for communication. In step 66, the communication is converted into a format for presentation on the desired end user interface, and in step 68 the communication is forwarded into the network and directed to the end user.

Thus, the present invention uses different communication interfaces and techniques to provide a service that allows end users to communicate using the desired interfaces and techniques. As mentioned above, although PoC and IM communication services and interfaces have been described, the invention is not limited to these specific services and interfaces, and the present invention has been described by PTT, PoC, IM, voice conversations by those skilled in the art. It will be appreciated that it can be easily configured to support MSN Messenger and any equivalents. The service may be configured to cause features of each of the technologies to be converted to other technologies. For example, existing IM services notify members of a group when one of their friends comes online. This feature can be used to push an alert when a mobile device connects to a mobile network, for example by using PoC technology to send an end user a signal such as ringing, or alternatively to alert an IM friend. This can be integrated into the communication service of the present invention. The present invention provides a mechanism for bridging between technologies, services and interfaces, such that the value added features of each technology, service and interface are utilized by communication services.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be understood that many of the foregoing figures are flow chart descriptions of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated that each block of flowchart illustrations, and combinations of blocks in flowchart illustrations, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions are loaded on a computer or programmable data processing apparatus such that the instructions executing on the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus create means for implementing the functions specific to the flowchart block or blocks. Can be prepared. These computer program instructions are also stored in a computer readable memory such that the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus includes instructions means for the instructions stored in the computer readable memory to implement a function specific to the flowchart block or blocks. It can be managed to function in a particular way to produce an article of manufacture. The computer program instructions are also loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus such that the instructions executing on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specific to the flowchart block or blocks. It may cause a series of operating steps to be performed on a computer or other programmable device to create a computer implemented process.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that programs that define the functions of the present invention may include (a) non-writable storage media (e.g., in a computer such as ROM or CD-ROM disks readable by a computer I / O connection device). Information permanently stored on a read only memory (ROM), (b) information variably stored on a writable storage medium (eg, floppy disks and hard drives), or (c) Includes information transmitted to a computer via a communication medium using wideband signaling techniques, including baseband signaling, or carrier wave signaling techniques such as over telephone networks via a computer or modem. It can be conveyed to the computer in a variety of forms, but it is easy to understand that it is not limited thereto.

Although the present invention has been described through the above-described exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that changes and modifications to the illustrated embodiments can be made without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. It is to be understood that the descriptions are exemplary only, and that other functional techniques or additional steps and components may be added by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention is not to be viewed as a limiting concept unless by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims (19)

A method of forwarding communications to a device connected to a network, Receiving a communication directed to an end user associated with the device, the communication being received in its original format associated with a first type of communication service; Accessing a subscriber communication profile associated with the end user, the subscriber communication profile identifying a desired format for delivery of communications to the device associated with the end user; Forwarding the communication to the end user in the desired format. Communication delivery method comprising a. The method of claim 1, Converting the communication from the original format to the desired format. The method of claim 2, Wherein the original format is Instant Messaging (IM) format, the desired format is voice format, and the converting step generates voice communications using IM communications. The method of claim 2, Wherein said original format is a voice format, said desired format is an IM format, and said converting step generates instant messages using voice communications. The method of claim 4, wherein The voice communications are communicated using a service selected from the group including Push-to-Talk-over-Cellular (POC), Push to Talk (PTT) and voice conversation technology. The method of claim 1, The communication is directed to a plurality of destination end users, each of the plurality of destination end users having an associated subscriber communication profile identifying a desired format for delivery of communications to the associated end user; The method, Converting the communication from the original format to each desired format of the plurality of end users to provide a plurality of converted communications; And Forwarding the plurality of translated communications to each of the plurality of end users. Communication delivery method comprising a. The method of claim 2, And said converting comprises converting abbreviated expressions into complete expressions. The method of claim 2, The original format is a text format, the desired format is a speech format, the communication includes emoticons, and the converting step is in response to the emoticons. Generating a communication delivery method. A device comprising a computer readable medium storing a service program code, the device comprising: The service program code, when executed, Selectively converting bidirectional communications received from a first end user and directed to a second end user from a first format associated with the first end user to a second format indicated as the desired representation format by the second end user; Operable to enable a first end user and a second end user to have communications presented to each end user using a preferred communication interface A device comprising a computer readable medium. 10. The method of claim 9, Wherein said one of said first format and said second format is an IM format and the other is a voice format. The method of claim 10, And the voice format is selected from the group comprising a PoC format, a PTT format, and a voice conversation format. 10. The method of claim 9, And a profile data structure stored on the computer readable medium and accessible by a service program code, the profile data structure storing a preferred communication interface schedule for each end user of the network. A device comprising a possible medium. The method of claim 12, And wherein said preferred communication interface schedule is a temporal schedule. The method of claim 12, Wherein the preferred communication interface schedule is a location schedule. 10. The method of claim 9, The service program code, when executed, is further operable to change the preferred communication interface schedule of the end user in response to information about the end user. The method of claim 15, And the information comprises presence information related to the end user. A device comprising a computer readable medium storing client program code for a service, the device comprising: And wherein said client program code, when executed, instructs a server application of a preferred interface for receiving communications associated with said service. The method of claim 17, The preferred interface is selected from the group comprising a textual interface and a voice interface. The method of claim 18, And the voice interface is associated with one of a PoC service, a PTT service, and a voice conversation service.

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