MXPA98002124A - Act user registration - Google Patents

Abstract

An Active User Registration system comprises a database that is integrated by the POTS network and a network package (such as an Internet, or an Intranet of a corporation). Integrate the AUR with the POTS network and a network packet exploiting the outstanding strength of both of its components, such as the waiting-low time, high reliability, moderate fidelity of voice in real-time telephony given by the POTS network and the sign-and-click access to distribute in the database with excellent search capability given by a network package, such as the Internet (including those facts available using browsing technology in conjunction with the World Wide Web). The AUR database contains a dynamic data structure (such as a connection list or a shredded table) of all the paths in which one or more users can be searched via some type of communication network (eg, through the network). POTS or a network packet, or both). A key characteristic of the AUR is the ability to terminate between the requirement of a subscriber for contact information communications corresponding to a user and the preferences of the user called by various communication alternatives. Other features may be included with the AUR including an AUR reservation that provides the subscriber with quick access to access points between the AUR, or automatically update the user's contact information. In addition, the ability to learn user preferences that it includes as an additional feature and is also included as a feature in an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Description

ACTIVE USER REGISTRATION Technical Field This invention relates to communications in general and more particularly, to the method for facilitating communication with personal contact over a variety of communication options.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The Old Telephone Service Plan (POTS) network, which has existed for more than 100 years, is well designed and structured by the transmission and switching of 3 kHz voice calls. Network. POTS has a real-time, low standby time, high reliability, moderate voice fidelity in the telephone network. This is not designed for, nor spatially well suited to, other forms of communication, including a wide Uanda audible, audio, images, video, fax and data. The network (POTS) is REF .: 26868 inherently oriented to 'telephone' or 'handset' and is driven by the real-time voice telephony needs. There are approximately 270 million users in the POTS network in the United States, making POTS accesses ubiquitous all over the US. On the other hand, the network (POTS) has high access costs and, for international calls, costs per village. The network packet are general-purpose data networks that are not tied to circuits of a fixed bandwidth. Instead, they are designed to transmit pulses (in the form of a fixed or variable length packet) only when there are impulses to be transmitted. The network packet developed independently of the telephone networks for the purpose of moving quickly, the real-time data between the computers and that is distinguished by the property of this communications package that is directed by information addresses contained ÚE-Scamenta -in the same data flow. The network packet is well suited to send stored data of various kinds, including messages, faxes, conversations, audio, video and still images, but is not well adapted to send real-time communication signals such as a conversation in time. -real, audio, and _video signals. Typically, one has access to the network package when running the client program on a personal computer (PC), and thus the network packets are inherently oriented to a "PC", and driven to client / server. The network package provides access to distribute a database and has excellent registration capacity. 10 There are approximately 30 million users of the network package in the U.S.; The number of users is growing rapidly and will continue to do so in the next decade. Today Internet (the largest and most renowned package of existing networks) connects more than 4 million computers in around 140 countries. The Internet is implemented using a wide variety of connections between those millions of computers. These interconnected computers can support correspondences, such as email and Woeld Wide. Web, which facilitates communications between people through E.U. or around the globe. The exponential and global growth of the Internet is common knowledge nowadays. The recent developments in the interconnections of the global wide network and the navigation of information in the * elements of programming, such as a multitude of pages in the network, connection with a continuous growth number of public access provider, is 5 making the Internet an indispensable component in the information age, although the information is not a super highway. Several alternate forms of communication have been developed using the POTS network or the network of packages (and sometimes both). For example, facsimile communication (fax) is now a common option for transmitting copies of documents in the network (POTS). The electronic message (e.g., e-mail) is a phenomenon that grows for those who use the network package, particularly the Internet, for communications. In addition, many companies are currently using the network package, locally or internally within the company, which is modeled in operation based on the Internet. These network packets, called 'Intranets', are typically private networks owned or controlled by users of the company or corporation. Intranets are compatible with the Internet Protocol (IP), and often the same programming element used in connection with the Internet (e.g.

Network) is also used in connection with intranets. Intranet networks are often established to connect to the Internet through a wall (for example, a combination of device set / programming element designed to restrict unauthorized access to the Internet from the outside world). A World Wide Web site typically resides on a computer known as a server, which is accessed through the Internet by a person using a computer, such as a PC. A website consists of one or more pages in the network that consist of original documents written in the HIPER TEXT MARKUP (HTLM) language and typically resides on a server compatible with the Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP), a protocol to interconnect with the Internet. The pages in a web site are typically accessed and viewed by people using the PC through programming elements called a web page, which typically resides on people's PCs. A page of the network, as well as a Netscape, interprets original document pages of the HTLM network to provide a graphic interconnection that allows easy access to various services on the Internet. Equivalently, the internal sites of the network and located on a corporate Intranet can be set up and accessed in a similar way using the same or virtually the same programming element (e.g., browsing the network). As the internal network sites in an intranet corporation are typically HTTP compatible and addressable using URL techniques, and 5 contain web pages comprising original HTML documents. People can browse the World Wide to see virtually any type of information, including information it contains derived from one or more media, 10 such as words, sounds or images. Increasingly, businesses are establishing web sites as a means to provide information and attract potential customers, and web sites are emerging as a means of business transaction. One can 15 locate the sites of the companies in the network by, eg, using a number that exists on the Internet to search for available machines, or by viewing other sites on the network that have links to the sites in the network of companies, or by entering directly Uniform Middle 20 Locator (URL), which represents addresses of the sites on the network. Typically, browsing the network takes place in the context of an interactive communication session, where one can, for example, direct the leaf section in the network by selection to continue with the hypertext link found in the web sites and / or to be able to respond to information located on several sites in the network. An Internet-related development is a telephone package. The telephone package involves the use of a network packet, such as the Internet, for telecommunications containing voice, photographs, movement of images and multimedia content (e.g. voice and photographs). Instead of a couple of telephones connected by switched telephone lines, without However, the telephone packet typically involves the use of a 'packet telephone' or 'Internet telephone' in one or both of the related telephony purposes, with the information transferred over a network packet using packet switching techniques. The Intranets can also be used to provide electronic messages as well as another functional type-package. These communication options mentioned above provide, along with the regular telephony POTS, alternate paths of communication between individuals and groups. A computer such as a PC is commonly used to provide outputs for viewing a web page or other multimedia content to people who use it, for example through a video display and accompanying a set of 5 devices for use by the user. Audio. Such output can take the form of at least one textual, graphic, animation, ^ • ^ video, audio, or virtual object media. The computer or P.C. it is also commonly able to accept entries from the person using it; ' such input can be provided by means of a keyboard, a mouse, an adapter for the telephone, a television remote control, a microphone and a MIDI port. How the concept of communication between individuals and groups changes over time, and more with inclusion of the capacity of messages, image and video telephony, transmission of manuscripts, and the integration of voice, other audio, image, video, manuscript, and data, it becomes essential to provide something easy to use and convenient mechanism to link all the people what want to communicate with each other. When illustrating the complexity of the task consider trying to communicate with someone who has the following path to be called: - telephones at home (often there are two or more lines in a private residence) telephones at work (usually people it can be called via at least one POST number at work and one reception). cell phone (about 15% of the population can be called by a cell phone) video phone (eg Vistium system or TeleImage system) 5 - caller / beeper (through each appropriate programming element or via 800 number service, people can receive messages in ASCII or by numeric telephone with numbers to dial) voice mail system (most of the # 10 business is provided with voice mail (voice messages) when there is no secretarial reception or for calls arriving outside working hours) video mail system (this is a feature that will begin to be provided as a 15 videophone and systems similar to Vistium will start to proliferate) email system (people often have two or more email addresses eg Unix e-mail, AT &T Mail, Lotus Notes e-mail, 20 Internet e-mail, or intracorporate e- mail) answering machines at home (most private households use the answering machine when they are away from home or when the phone is busy, there is also some use of the voice mail network service). - IP (Internet Protocol) addresses (which can be static when a person is held by means of a Local Area Network (LAN) connected to a corporate network, or which can be dynamic when a person is held by means of the connection of a modulator-demodulator to an Internet service, such as AT & T WorldNet ™ Services); This type of connection is also used for corporate work systems when sharing work spaces, e.g. Vistium Share business with FAX number (associated with each person or with the work group within the 15 office environment). houses with FAX number (associated with a set of devices of the FAX machine at home, or with a FAX / Modulator-demodulator on a PC) paper mail (distributed electronically to 20 e-mail addresses by services such as POST) home page (people and businesses may have a home page associated with a web site, eg, searchable on the World Wide Web using a URL address) As one can see from the list above, when B someone tries to to call another person you have to try to know some of all those call options, a person actually has 5 options for calling people, determining the number of applicable communications or other communications address for such available communication options and ^ In addition, make a decision that is the appropriate option to use taking into account the time and W 10 the purpose of the communication. Often this is a difficulty - or an unresolved problem. For example, -: consider as one to determine the active (e.g., via modulator-demodulator) or passive (e.g., via a LAN) IP address of a person connected to a data network; how it should be needed to direct a message i. addressable IP in real-time; on the other hand, * messages can be sent to a person's network packet address on time-not real via currently-available e-mail techniques and, in this way can be a preferable option for a package of messages when an active IP address is not available. Other problems included is the physical difficulty of making the desired type of communication connection representing that impractical connection mode for the desired purpose (eg, if you wish to send a voice message without disturbing the address, how could you connect at home? an answering machine without the telephone ringing and being raised by the owner ?; if a capacity is not available, another option of 5 communications may be preferable). A path is desired to easily determine which communication option is available to contact an individual in time and for the purpose of the communication and, additionally, the number of # 10 Appropriate communications (or address) for such communication contact.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a system for creating and using an Active User Registry (AUR). The Active User Registry system comprises a database and a computer or processor and is integrated with the POTS network and a network packet (such as Internet, or a corporate intranet). Integrate the AUR with the POTS network and a network packet exploiting the strength of both of its components, such as Time-out, low accuracy, moderate fidelity in real-time voice telephony supplied by the POTS network, and the signal-and-click access to the distributed database with an excellent * Search capability provided by a network package, such as the Internet (including facts available using the Browse technology in conjunction with the 5 World Wide Web). The AUR database contains a dynamic data structure (such as a linked list or a shredded table) of several paths in which one or more users can be called by some type of # 10 network communication (e.g., through the POTS network or a network packet or both), including access via the network. A key feature of the AUR is the agent's ability among a subscriber's requirement to contact information communications that corresponds to a user and the preferences of the users to be called by several alternate communications. Other features can be included with the AUR, including a reserve AUR that provides subscriber with quick access-registration points within the AUR, or automatic user update of contact information. Another, the ability to learn user preferences this included as an additional feature and is also included as a feature in an alternate modality of the present invention.

* Brief description of the drawings FIG. 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of an Active User Registration system according to the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a representative plan of data elements according to the present invention. FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C shows diagrams for access in a # 10 Active User Registration system in accordance with the present invention. FIGS. 4 and 5 are diagrams showing alternative modalities of an Active User Registration system according to the present invention. 15 / íl Detailed Description In accordance with the present invention, an Active User Registration (AUR) system is defined, 20 in its most basic form, comprising a computer, a database that is integrated with the POTS network and a network packet (such as the Internet). or a corporate intranet). Integrate the AUR system with the POTS network and a network packet exploiting the outstanding strength of both of its components, such as the waiting time- ß real, high reliability, moderate fidelity of real-time voice telephony provided by the network POTS, and the signal-and-click access to the distribution base data with excellent search capability provided by a network package, such as the Internet (including facts available using browsing technology in conjunction with the World Wide Web). The ryl 10 Active User Registry database contains a dynamic data structure (such as a linked list or a shredded table) of all the ways in which one or more individuals or users can be called by some type of network communication ( eg, through the POTS network or a network pack or 15 both). The term 'user' referred to herein refers to an individual or person called through one or more communication options (e.g., telephone in the POTS network, e-mail, fax, etc.); the term 'subscriber' referred to herein refers to an individual or person seeking to establish communication with and / or send a message to a user. In a normal telephony language, the 'user' often refers to the 'called party' and the 'subscriber' often refers to the 'calling party'. A key feature of the AUR system is the ability to terminate user and subscriber user call preferences by several * alternate communications. Another feature can be installed at the start of most of the basic form of the AUR. For example, an AUR in reserve may be provided to subscribers that provide quick access to entry points within the AUR for those users that a subscriber can regularly attempt to contact; the AUR may include automatic updating of the user's information contact; or the # 10 AUR system can learn user preferences in relation to who can call them by the various alternate communications. Another, the AUR will enable clients to easily request increases to POTS services as a message and mobility, using signal-and-click interconnections on their PCs when opening a range of services that is broader than that availability by a simple telephone interconnection. Additionally, there are people who have only one telephone accessing information from a database, 20 available- previously only in the network packet, although emerging text-to-conversation and voice recognition in the interconnection network. On the other hand, new services combining the simultaneous delivery of multimedia content to a PC and real-time communications (e.g. voice, audio, video) on a telephone makes it possible. With reference to FIG. 1, the present invention will now be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 1, a typical user 100 (one of many possible users) is linked to the POTS network 110 through a telephone 120 such that that user 100 can be connected by telephoning the number corresponding to telephone 120. The typical user 100 maybe also is linked to a network packet 130 (which maybe has, eg, Internet) through a PC, .- eg, multimedia PC 140 as shown in FIG. 1. A multimedia PC allows a user to interact with information about the network packet in many ways, such as, e.g., data, voice, images, and video. A multimedia PC 140 is linked to a network packet 130 using any of a number of known methods, e.g., modulator-demodulator, ISDN, etc. A subscriber who seeks to use the present invention may be linked to the POTS network 110 through a telephone 150 or alternatively, the subscriber may be linked to a network pack 130 through a PC, such as a multimedia PC 160, using one of a number of known methods. A typical subscriber can be linked both to the POTS 110 network (via telephone 150) and to network pack 130 (to * via multimedia PC 160). The Active User Registration system 170 is integrated with the POTS network 110 and a network packet 130 through 5 access 180. - - access j_80 acts as an interconnection between an AUR 170 and each of the POTS 110 networks and a network packet 130, allows a subscriber to access AUR information available through any POTS network or network packet. Those * 10 skilled in the art will recognize that the advantages of the present invention could be achieved by integrating AUR 170 with network pack 130 and network POTS 110 would be made where the network package includes the Internet, intranet, or both. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the advantages of the present invention could be achieved by integrating AUR 170 with the network pack 130. (which would include Internet, intranet, or both) and a private network telephone (such as an intra-corporate network telephone) served by a Private Branch 20 (PBX) exchange. The access network to the AUR system can be executed through an optional site in the AUR network stored in a host server in a place in the AUR 185 network, which is a typical server in the site in the host network thus known to those specialists in the art. The host server of the AUR 185 site can, e.g., be connected to the AUR system through an entry server 180 or, alternatively, the host server of the site in the AUR 185 network can be connected directly to the AUR system. A URL-addressable to a site on the network or to a home page corresponding to the user may be stored on a host server on the site of the user's network * ^ 10. The host server on the user's network site 190 can be one of many numbers of typical servers commonly used for storage of one or more sites in the network. The host server 190 may be privately owned by the user or, alternatively, a site on the network (or a home page) corresponding to a user that may be stored on, eg, a host server 190 that is provided by a host. Internet service provider, such as AT &; T 20 WorldNet ™ .Services. The Active User Registration system 170 consists of a computer 172 and a database 174.

- The computer 172 can be any of the known computers, such as a PC, or a server, or even a processor; computer 172 may also consist of communications equipment having a computer * Built in, or integrated, within the system. For example, the AUR system of the present invention may be implemented in an attached platform known in the art, such as the Conversant® speech information system produced by Lucent Technologies. The AUR database 174 is associated with an AUR 172 computer through a communication link 176, which can be realized through Many known methods for linking a computer to a database, such as, e.g., a bus, or a LAN, or other communications network. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication link 176 can also provide the link by associating the AUR 170 with a access 180; those skilled in the art, however, will recognize that other communication link fc that can be used to associate AUR 170 with access 180. The AUR 174 database stores information about networks as well as information about users, 'including telephone numbers, FAX numbers, mobile numbers, e-mail addresses, URLs, etc. In its simplest form, the AUR 174 database is a dynamic data structure (like a linked list or a shredded table) of all the ways in which an individual or user can be called by some type of network communication path. . Typically the user will be identified by name and address, where the address could be used to resolve ambiguities between coexisting names (e.g., John Smith). Where the user is a person, identifying would be the name of the entity (e.g., a company name). Alternatively, the AUR system allows access to the AUR database by occupation or title of a user, rather than by the name of the individual or .- '. identifier For example, the AUR system can be used to contact, e.g., protection at the main reception for a particular business or organization, or contact the security director for a business or organization. When executing this, the AUR database will include it with certain user names (this can, but would not have to, include all the users in the AUR database) one or more functional-functional descriptions of the work activity, eg, job title, cross-reference for job occupation, etc. as well as the name of the employee. In the case of a person as the user, the 'occupation' could include a reference to the type of business in which the person is employed (e.g., clothing vendor).

For a typical user, the entry in the AUR 174 database could include the following: Username; AliasUsuariol; AliasUser2; ....; PhoneCasal; Phone2; 5 Telephone Work; SecretaryWork; PhoneCellular; PhoneVideo; ....; MessagesVoiceWork; MachineContainerHouse; VideoVideo messages; NumberBeeperl; ... Emaill; Email2; ... # 10 FAXTrabajol; FAXWork2; FAXCasa; ...; LAN IP; Modulator-demodulatorlP; ... URL1; URL2; ... Multimedia; Multimedia2; ... Call Number The AUR database consists of a series of records user, each user record contains one or more entries from the list above. A possible order of the AUR database is shown in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 2, the represented AUR database consists of N user records, the Record 2-01 corresponds to user 1, record 202 corresponds to user 2, record 203 corresponds to user 3, and so on. Each user record in the AUR database contains entries for the user listed above to find information in the communications. Thus, as shown in the example of FIG. 2, the register 201 corresponds to the user 1 consists of a series of entries 210, 220, 230, 240, 250, 260, 270, 280 and 290, each corresponds to a different category with each entry potentially 5 consisting of one or more elements of information data. The corresponding function of those entries in the user registry will now be described. The data elements in access category 210 correspond to # 10 identify the information. The user's name represents the formal name of the user to whom the information listing corresponds (similar to a name listed in a telephone directory), and could typically include new information identified as home address street, home town or town, and / or employee name and location; such new information would be useful in resolving ambiguities that may occur in locating the desired user's record in the AUR database (e.g., John Smith). AliasUsuariol, Alias5user2, etc. represents other names (such as nickname or initials) because the user is known. In addition, the data in access category 210 could include identifying information, such as a photograph, a handwritten signature, fingerprint, etc.

The elements of the data (PhoneCasual, PhoneCase2, PhoneWork, SecretaryWork, and PhoneCellular) in the access category 220 represent several telephone numbers at home, work, cell (or portable) by which the user can be called normally (when enabling the call a user for one or more of those numbers may be subject to user preferences, as discussed below). The video telephone data element of the access category 220 will represent the communication numbers or address to contact the user by a video telephone device. The data elements of the VooStrategy work, the Household Speaking Machine, the VideoMail, and the BeeperNumerol of the access category 230 would represent the number or address by several telephone or telephone video means to leave a voice message (or video) for the user, or at the user's request. make a call by telephone or video phone. ftay accesses that also correspond to electronic or digital messages. The access category 240 contains data elements Emaili and Email2 representing the user's e-mail address. FAXTrabajol, FAXTrabajo2, and FAXCasa are data elements in access category 250 representing the various facsimile numbers to transmit fax facsimile messages to the user at work or at home. Access category 260 contains data elements IP LAN and IP modulator-demodulator representing the 5 IP addresses because the user can be called by a network packet carrying messages out of real-time IP (eg, connect the user in a call of telephone to Internet). Category 270 contains data elements corresponding to URLs to access a site in the user network, home page (or HTML page) using a browser. So a subscriber can access the AUR system, once in the AUR database, type to enter the page in the user's network, and that is why it is connected directly to the user staff or to the home page business (or to another web page access) if you access the AUR from an Internet browser. In addition, as reflected by access category 280, the AUR database may include addresses' (as URL or IP) about the user in multimedia information, e.g. textual documents such as biographies, summaries, etc .; photographs of them, their relatives, or other events they choose; video clips of them, their relatives, or other events that they choose; audio clips of special interest or general etc. When the multimedia information is accessed via Browse Internet (e.g. Browsing the network or equivalent), the user could type access to the document of the desired text, photograph, video, or audio clip. The entire user record could easily have an associated portrait of a person and perhaps of their family, as well as other important personal information that could be desired - e.g. summary, bibliography, personal information, etc. Optionally, personally identifiable information, such as biographical or family information or photographs or video clips listed above in connection with element 280, may be included under access category 210. Access category 290 consists of element data called Call Number, which represents a telephone or other number of communications because the user can be currently called by direct contact. The CallNumber 290 may, for example, be one of the numbers above-referenced (eg TelephoneCasel, Telephone noCe-lularl or VideoPhone) or a temporary number (eg a telephone number of a hotel in which the user remains during a business trip). , or the number of an associated business for a meeting with the user).

Those skilled in the art will recognize that each of those accesses described above corresponds to a user of the user's communications address for the particular communications option; for example, 5 an address to call a user by phone is one of those given given telephone numbers (eg TelephoneCasal, TelephoneCasa2, etc.) and an address to call a user by e-mail is one of the addresses of email (e-mail) (eg Emaill, Email2). This # 10 should be clear to that specialty in the art specifying accesses and data elements described with reference to FIG. 2 are provided as a representative example only and are not intended to be limited; any of the infinite possible combinations of access numbers, elements and their organization can be used without the AUR database without removing the advantages of the present invention. A key feature of the AUR is the ability to separate options between communications, on the one hand, the user preferences to be contacted or communication with others and, on the other hand, the subscriber's required preference to make contact or different communication with the user, taking into account such factors as the time, the day, the identity of the person 25 requiring the information or the purpose of the communication. In accordance with the present invention, * the AUR database 174 may contain one or more lists of preferred communication options, to be given to a user, for which the user wishes to be connected. 5 That preferred option may include, e.g., preferences to be contacted according to the time-of-day or day-of-the-week, preferences based on the identity of the subscriber who is attempting to communicate with the user. These preferences can level them based on # 10 the linking of the AUR to a source of information for the user's calendar, such as, e.g., the handling of the user's personal information or personal digital assistance (such as strategies or consultations, and some similar strategies or queries, will be collectively attributed to what is referred to herein as a "personal information query") in such preferences (and the information contact) would automatically change depending on the user's calendar obtained from the personal information query of user. The AUR can be linked to a user's personal information query, e.g. a communications network. As in the illustration, a user could have one of the preferences selected for space of time 6:30 a.m. at 7:15 a.m., another setting of preferences for the time slot 7:15 a.m. at 7:30 * J ^ - a.m., another setting of preferences for the time slot 7:30 a.m. at 6:00 p.m., another setting of preferences for the period of time 6:00 p.m. at 6:15 5 p.m., another set of preferences for the period of time 6:15 p.m. at 11:00 p.m., another setting of preferences for the time period 11:00 p.m. at 11:30 p.m., and a last set of preferences for the time slot 11:30 p.m. at 6:30 a.m. Those time spaces could approximately correspond to the daily work schedule: -6:30 a.m. get up --7: 15 a.m. leave for work 15 -7: 30 a.m. get to the office -6: 00 p.m. go to the house -6: 15 p.m. get to the house --11: 00 p.m. prepare to go to sleep --11: 30 p.m. go to sleep 20 A complementary sequence of preferences during the periods of time could be planned for the weekend when one is not going to work, as well as for vacations, etc. The ability to dynamically change the preferences list allows you to maintain user preferences with individual calendars, change work assignments, vacations, trips, etc. The user's preferred communications options, in this way, can include different paths being contacted for each of those time slots. Additionally, the user can establish preferences to be contacted depending on who is trying to call the user. From here, for example, when a member of the user's family is trying to contact the user, there could be a preferred user who always chooses a phone where someone is available to answer the phone, while a salesperson or colleague is calling , there would be another preference where the user would be disturbed by phone less times. Some of that type of preferred potential user of communication options, upon completion of the processes used by the AUR system of the present invention will now be described through the following examples. These examples are intended to be illustrative of the processes of the present invention and are not intended to be restrictive. With reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C as an illustration of the finished process, suppose that a user at work has a known preferred option, such that during the afternoon in the working time only a member of the family can call the user directly by phone, and that all other communications are made by messages (such as voice mail, e-mail or fax). In the example shown in FIG. 3A, a non-member of the subscribing family trying to contact the user at work prefers to leave a message by e-mail, as opposed to voice mail or another electronic message. The subscriber in this example starts at step 301 contacts the AUR system using multimedia PC 160 (shown in FIG. 1) by eg, using a modulator-demodulator to be connected or dialed at a site corresponding to an AUR 170 system (shown in FIG. 1) or alternatively, send a message to an IP address corresponding to the AUR system. The AUR system responds by presenting a menu of access to the subscriber. Using a text-based tool search (text-based searches for tools that are known in the art), the subscriber in step 302 accesses a user identifier, such as information corresponding to the user's identity (eg, the name of the user). user), and starts although the AUR system searches the AUR database for the benefit of the user and the subscriber. The subscriber in step 303 requires the AUR system to provide a number of communications to send a facsimile message to the user (this could be done, e.g. writing the information in or speaking into the microphone contained within the PC). The AUR system in step 304 compares the subscriber's requirement (facsimile message) against the user's preferred options (e-mail, voice mail or fax from a non-family member during the afternoon). The AUR system selects 10 the facsimile messages (in this example the facsimile message is common to both preferences, user and - '• subscriber) and provides, in step 305, a user's facsimile address (eg FaxTrabajol) to subscriber. The subscriber then in step 306 15 initiates a communication contact with the user at the FaxTrabajol address. Alternatively, the AUR system could ask the subscriber for a message or a file name of a document to be faxed and send it electronically to the user without the need to pass it through the user's fax number to the subscriber. In this way, the AUR provides a continuous interconnection at the end of the communications service without the need for the subscriber to know or access some user numbers.

Similarly, in the example shown in FIG. 3B, the non-familiar subscriber member in step 311 initiates a contact to the AUR system using telephone 150 (shown in FIG 1) for example, by dialing a telephone number corresponding to the AUR 170 system (as, e.g., dialing 1800-CALLATT (CALLATT) and requiring the AUR system or alternatively, requiring the reservation AUR system). In step 312, the subscriber accesses a user identifier, such as a user name, by, eg, speaking the name or pressing buttons on the telephone keypad corresponding to the letters - "starting with the user's name, through of the AUR system, a search in the database By speech or by keyboard, the subscriber accesses a requirement to contact the user by leaving a voice message in step 313. The AUR system in step 314 compares the subscriber's requirement (voicemail) against the preferred options of the user (strap, electronic (e-mail), voice mail or from a non-family member fax during the term) and, in step 315, returns the user's voice mail address (VozTrabajo Messages) to the subscriber (e.g. saying on the phone the address obtained from the database AUR). Then in step 316 the subscriber initiates a communications contact using the appropriate number of communications or address obtained from the AUR database, in this example, dialing the number of # phone corresponding to the user's voice mail (VoiceVoice Messages). Alternatively, the AUR 5 system could ask the subscriber to register a voice message and then automatically send it to the user's Voice Mail messages without having to pass it to the user's voice mail number to the subscriber. As in the previous example, on this journey the AUR provides a continuous interconnection at the end of the communications service without the need for the subscriber to know or access some user numbers. In the example shown in FIG. 3C, the The subscriber initiates in step 321 a contact to the AUR system using a multimedia PC 160 (shown in FIG.1) by, eg, using a network browser to access a site in the AUR network (via, eg, host server). on the website of the AUR 185 network) corresponding to a AUR system 170. Through the website, the AUR system represents a page in the network with a menu of access to the subscriber. Using a tool search engine available through the AUR website (there are many search tools based on the network), 25 the subscriber in step 322 accesses a user identifier and initiates through the AUR system a search in the AUR database for the user of interest to the subscriber. The subscriber in step 323 requires the AUR system to provide a URL to visit the home page of the user and then leave a message by e-mail to the user. The AUR system in step 324 compares the subscriber's requirement (URL and message by e-mail) against the user's preference (e-mail, voicemail or fax). The AUR system selects e-mail (in this example, e-mail is common to both user and subscriber preferences) and provides, in step 325, an e-mail address for the user (e.g., Emaill) to the subscriber; because the subscriber wants to visit the home page of the user, the site in the network AUR also provides a link to jump the home page of the user. The subscriber then in step 326 can initiate a message in e-mail to the user in the user's e-mail address (Emaill), and then the subscriber can jump to the user's home page on the- World Wide web (stored a user on a host server 190, shown in FIG 1) or an equivalent to a home page on an intranet, typically by typing in a reference to a compatible URL for the user's home page (eg, URLl) provided by the AUR system.

Alternatively, the AUR system could ask the subscriber for the text, or file name for, a message to be sent and send this electronically to the user without going through the address of the e-mail user to the subscriber. In this way, the AUR provides a continuous interconnection at the end of the communications service without the need for the subscriber to know or access some user addresses. 10 In addition, the capabilities can be included with the finished process described in the examples above. For example, the finished process can compare the user's preferred communications options against those required by the subscriber and, if not there is a direct encounter, determines a -option of communications having at least one communication property in common with both the user's preferred communications options and with the required communications option (e.g., choose an option) having a common denominator between the two) based on a hierarchy of availability and desired communications options. A hierarchy of communication options may be structured based on the relative ease or difficulty in establishing contact with the user. For example, communication options such as e-mail or fax are near the end of the hierarchy, since they represent options because it is clearly easy to establish contact with the user. A whole need does this 5 a direct message to a known e-mail or facsimile address and the e-mail or a normal facsimile process is careful to "deliver" the message to the user, and the user having a small chance of " filter "out the message. The other purpose of the hierarchy is direct voice contact, such as by a phone call, which requires not only to know the user's phone number, but also the user actually picks the phone and answers the call. In this purpose of the hierarchy, the user has substantial "filtering" ability to avoid contact - e.g., in the case of a telephone call, by not answering the call or by hanging up without sustaining the desired communication by the call. at these extremes of the hierarchy other options are located of co-communication, such as a voice message (e.g., voice mail), in which the user may have limited "filtering" capacity. Using such a hierarchy can allow the subscriber to choose an order of options and / or for the user to select an order of preferred communication options. For example, when the subscriber requires to contact a party using a connection * telephone (with higher preference there is direct voice contact, but the voice message is acceptable), and 5 the user, on the other hand, prefers to be contacting a message (with the highest preference to receive a message in e-mail) with other forms of acceptable indirect message, but not direct voice contact), the AUR system may terminate the requirement to determine the minimum common denominator - in this example, the voice message - and, assuming that the manner of the voice message is acceptable to both the user and the subscriber (eg, the voice message is within the hierarchy of voice options). communication acceptable to the subscriber and the user the AUR can offer the user's Voice Mail., (Or Password Machine) communication address to the subscriber. Alternatively, the determined process of the present invention may be performed to execute an intelligent comparison between the user's preferred communication options and the subscriber's requirement, and also initiating a conversation, (or, equivalently, a translation) of a message for a corresponding intermediate message to the subscriber's request to another intermediate message required by the user's preferred communications options. As an intelligent finished process it can be particularly useful when the communication options are available to a subscriber or to a limited user in some way (e.g., the user may be temporarily unable to receive a voice message, while the voice message may be the only practical option available at that time for the subscriber). Thus, for example when the subscriber requires to send a fax to the user, but the user prefers to receive a message in e-mail, the AUR system could terminate those options such that the subscriber sends the fax through the AUR system (eg, giving to the subscriber a fax address corresponding to a communication address associated with the AUR system) which would then convert the text of the transmission of the fax into an electronic message to be sent as an e-mail to the user by the address Preferred e-mail of the user contained in the AUR database. Methods for converting portions of the text of a fax transmission into an electronic message, e.g., using optical character recognition (OCR) techniques, are well-known to those skilled in the art. Alternatively, this configuration version of the fax transmission (one text plus another visual or graphic material) can be converted into an electronic equivalent to send an electronic message. 5 As another example, when the subscriber requires to send a voice message, and the user prefers to receive the e-mail, the AUR system could accept the voice message of the subscriber, convert the voice message to an electronic message using one of a known number of ^^ 10 voice-to-text with conversion techniques (using extensive vocabulary recognizing its efficiency, as a good understanding in the technique) and sending the result of the message to the user via e-mail. other conversion examples that are possible with the process finished smart mentioned here, includes e-mail to a voice message; e-mail to fax, voice to fax, and so on. These examples are not meant to limit, but instead demonstrate the ability of the finished process to resolve that otherwise would appear, in "conflict" between the subscriber's requirement and a user's preference and achieve a desired result - providing a path for a subscriber to communicate with a user in accordance with the subscriber's requirement and the options of user's preference.

The AUR system can be made easier to use by providing a voice interconnection that is to respond and initiate voice command by allowing interaction with and controlling and managing the AUR database of some voice-compatible communication availability. of interconnection. A voice interconnection could be implemented using a speech recognition technique and a speech recognition technique known to those skilled in the art. By For example, a platform such as the Lucent Conversant® Voice Information System also includes sufficient capabilities to implement a voice interconnection. As another improvement, the AUR system could, as referred to in the examples above, automatically * 5 initiate the indicated communication of the AUR database, in such a way, for example, a telephone call may be dialing automatically (eg, in response to a voice command or signal-to-type) or automatically directing a message -mail or a link to a URL address automatically started using a browser on the network. This would allow, e.g. contact a subscriber (otherwise within the user's preferred list) to a user having an "unregistered" communications address (e.g., the address is not available in a published directory). Those skilled in the art will recognize this use of a number of communication options indicated to the subscriber by means of the AUR system can automatically start in 5 accordance with the features of the present invention.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference in Figs. 4 and 5, which contains diagrams showing a user connected to the POTS network and a network packet based on the configuration presented in Fig. 1 and described above. To - facilitate understanding, the items shown in Figs. 4 and 5 that have reference numbers that begin with "1" correspond to the same numbered article, as we see in Fig. 1. The alternative modality shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are going to be described with respect to the differences presented in Fig. 1.

In FIG. 4 we see 2 cases of reserve AUR 410, which 20 comprises .memory containing data stored for one or more subscribers. The AUR 410 reservation is linked to a telephone to a subscriber via 150; e.g., a connection between the subscriber's telephone line and the AUR reservation; alternatively, the AUR 410 reservation 25 can be linked to a multimedia PC 160 of the subscriber by means eg, a connection between the AUR reservation and the communication line of the multimedia PC linked to the network packet, or even by means of a content device with the multimedia PC. 5 The data stored in the AUR 410 reservation includes for each subscriber a structured dynamic data (such as a linked list or a shredded table) comprising the user's names and aliases corresponding to one or more users, that the Subscriber tries to contact in more infrequent bases. For example, the AUR reservation could automatically update a subscriber's record with information corresponding to a particular user of a subscriber's call per week.15 Each access in the registry also includes, for each user, data corresponding to an access point (e.g., an indicator) in the corresponding user record in the AUR. The subscriber can improve the user's name or the user's alias in the AUR reservation, which could supply an indicator to the user's record in the AUR database. An advantage of the AUR reservation is that it would allow a particular subscriber to resolve conflicts or ambiguities in accessing the AUR database and the indicator within the corresponding record AUR can also store in the AUR reserve, attenuating the # Subscriber the effort to resolve that option for each subsequent use of the AUR. For example, when the subscriber wishes to communicate with "John Smith", the subscriber could tell the AUR that John Smith is wanted, and point to the record in the AUR database so that John Smith can be stored in the AUR reservation so that the Next time, the subscriber seeks contact with John Smith. In this journey, the subscriber has available the reservation via AUR of fast-access access points within the AUR database for those users contacted in more infrequent bases. This also provides a path for voice access conveniently within the AUR database without the subscriber having to resolve ambiguous names (or otherwise recognize a name) all the time the subscriber tries to access a particular user. Another advantage of providing an AUR reservation is enclosing - indicators in the AUR database is that information of the communication contact in the AUR that is accessed within the AUR reservation, remaining updated in the AUR database of the same; each time the database is updated (e.g., through changes made by the user or changes made by the network) these updates become * available to the subscriber who uses the AUR reservation through the use of the pointer reservation within the AUR database. 5 Because the amount of information required for each user's access in a subscriber's record is minimal, the AUR 410 reservation could be implemented within a known number of paths to small amounts of stored data, e.g., a letter with a magnetic list, which could correspond to an AUR reservation for an individual subscriber or, possibly, for a small number of subscribers (eg, a subscribing family may have an individual record for each member of the family contained in a single letter). As an alternative, the subscriber's record or records associated with the AUR reservation may be held in memory commonly used with a PC, e.g., a hard disk or portable disk, or on some computer - more or less legible. In other Alternatively, an AUR reservation for a large number of subscribers may be maintained in a local network, such as LAN or a central office telephone for the public in which the subscriber is located. In FIGs. 5 we see the AUR 510 reservation linked to an access 180. The AUR 510 reservation includes data storage for one or more subscribers and as described above with reference to an AUR 410 reservation of FIG. 4, the data stored for each subscriber will include a dynamic data structure (such as a linked list or a shredded table) comprising the name of the users and aliases corresponding to one or more users that the subscriber tries to contact, e.g., in more infrequent bases. The difference between the reserve AUR 510 of FIG. 5 and the reserve AUR 410 of FIG. 4 is the location of the reserve AUR, e.g-, the reserve AUR of FIG. 5 is maintained in connection with the AUR system and accessed remotely by a subscriber through an access 180 on this path could enable a practical route an AUR reservation having a large memory capacity, to serve a large subscriber base. Although neither the host server of the AUR 185 Web site nor the host server of the user's Web site 190 (shown in FIG. described in FIGS. 4 or 5, those skilled in the art will recognize any host server of the AUR 185 Web site or the host server of the Web site 190 could be used in the alternative embodiments described in connection with the FIGS. 4 and 5 in the same or similar manner in connection with FIG. 1. Additional capabilities of the present invention, applicable to each of the embodiments above, will now be described. An additional capacity enables the AUR system 170 (shown in Fig. 1) to automatically update the accesses in the AUR database are dynamically changed as added or modified: e.g., ReachNumber is added (and removed) as an extended user; The Modulator-demodulator P is added (and removed) as the user dials into an IP network via modulator-demodulator, etc. In order for this event, there needs to be a connection between the user and the AUR system (in order to explain and access a ReachNumber) and between communication equipment and the AUR (in order to explain and access the address of the Modulator-demodulator or activate the number of a cell phone). In sum, other changes could be made automatically in the AUR database, in such condi-tions' the AUR database kept-a-date (e.g. the AUR system may receive a periodic update of a home telephone number for local calls, etc.). A user may also update that access in the AUR database, the user's ability may be subject to verification of the user's identity for security purposes. An extension of the user's ability to establish preference for the connection or communication that is to make the preference of options - if based on the identity of the subscriber trying to contact the user, or about the time of day, on the day of the week, or about circumstances, etc. - is aware of the AUR system in accordance with the individual reacts to communications from different subscribers. There are many useful techniques for implementing future learning known to those skilled in the art. Learning could illustratively take place by looking at behavior the user's past to different designed calls, or to study the design of new users for a selected period to learn their preferences and operations. In this way, for example, if a person always calls someone who answers them by -0 audiofrequency impulses immediately, then the system would learn to change priorities by calling an active telephone number better than the pager for that user Alternatively, the system could automatically add access to the reservation each time a user will communicate with a new individual based on something regular. Similarly, the AUR can eliminate access to a reservation each time they were not used for a specified period of time. Learning the feature described above can be added to a process terminated in one embodiment of the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the learning ability described above is included, but the finished process is not included. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the ability to learn described above of the AUR system with respect to the "preference" characteristics. - below which the AUR system can learn the user's preferred options - it can also be extended to the AUR reservation described above with reference to FIGS. 4 or 5. In this way, the AUR reservation can store the subscriber's preferences to contact a particular user or users; The AUR reservation can also learn subscriber preferences based on the subscriber's interaction with the AUR system in connection with one or more users in particular. For example, the information pointer for a given user may be added or subtracted from a subscriber's AUR reservation based on a given number of requests by the subscriber to use contact information made within a fixed or variable time period B.

Another extension of the AUR system includes a "Find Me" service, for which a user adds a audio message together with the user record in the AUR database providing information contacted by the user, such as announcing where the user can be located during travel periods, at sunset walk to the shopping plaza, etc. This would be # 10 especially useful for family members who want to keep track of children, parents, relatives, etc. Accessing "Find Me" as an information service for a particular user could be restricted to a selected list of individuals for security purposes, e.g., in order to prevent theft by finding out when an individual is on the way home etc. In summary, a system to create and access an Active User Registry has been described available to suscriptor to obtain an appropriate option to communicate with the user. What has been described is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. Other measures and methods may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention. Having described the invention as above, the content of the following is claimed as property.

Claims (51)

Claims

1. A method of operating an Active User Registry service accessible over a communications network, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a. receive a request for communication contact information corresponding to a user. b. search a database containing _ * communication information for the user including a user identification, a plurality of communication addresses and information corresponding to the preferred communication options of the users; and c. determine a communication address to contact the user in accordance with a comparison between a communication option accompanying the request and the preferred communication options of the user.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication network includes at least one of a network packet and a telephone network.

* 3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that the network packet comprises at least one of the Internet or an intranet.

4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the service is more accessible through a site in the network using a browser in the network.

5. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the user identifier includes information representing at least one of the user's identifications, user's title, user's occupation or personal information corresponding to the user.

6. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of communication addresses includes an address to contact the 20 user by 'phone, an address to contact the user by email (e-mail), an address to contact the user by fax and a current address to make the direct communication contact with the user.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the plurality of communication addresses also includes an address for contacting the user by the video telephone.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the plurality of communication addresses also includes an address for contacting the user by voice message.

9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the plurality of communication addresses also includes an address for contacting the user through a message in real time IP.

10. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that the plurality of communication addresses also includes a URL - of address 20 companion. to join a page in the network associated with the user.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information corresponding to 25 the preferred communication options of the user includes a communication option and at least one of the time of the day, the day of the week, or information * presenting the identification of a person seeking contact with the user.

12. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information corresponding to the preferred communication options of the user includes information received on a connection of communications from a source of personal information associated with the user.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communication directions 15 determined to contact the user correspond to the communications option having at least one communication property in common with the communications option accompanying the request with the user's communication options.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the step of converting a communication with the user into a form received by the user on at least one of the user's preferred communication options.

* 15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that it comprises the step of delivering the converted communication to the user. 16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the step of converting a communication for the user into a form receivable by the user in at least one of the options of

The preferred communication of the user includes converting part of the text of a facsimile message into a voice message.

17. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the step of converting a communication for the user into a form receivable by the user in at least one of the preferred communication options of the user includes converting an e-mail within a 20 voice message.

18. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the step of converting a communication for the user into a form The user's receipt in at least one of the preferred communication options of the user includes converting a voice message into a facsimile message.

19. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the step of converting a communication for the user into a form receivable by the user in at least one of the preferred communication options of the user, includes converting an e-mail message within of a facsimile message.

20. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the step of converting a communication for the user into a form receivable by the user in at least one of the user's preferred communication options includes converting part of the text of a facsimile message within an e-mail message.

21. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that the step of converting a communication for the user into a form receivable by the user in at least one of the user's referring communication options includes converting a voice message into a message of e-mail. #

22. The method according to claim 1, 5 characterized in that the step after determining communication directions for the contact of the user, providing on the communication network the determined communications address.

23. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the step after determining communication directions to contact the user, initiating a communications contact to the communications address. 15 determined.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that the communication contact to the user starts without managing the addresses of 20 communication to a subscriber who makes the request.

25. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the step of receiving a message delivered to the determined communication address.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that the delivered message comprises at least one of a voice message or a text message.

27. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises the provision of a voice interconnection to enable interaction with, and control and administration of the service for some voice-compatible communication interconnection available.

28. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of receiving a request for communications addresses to contact the user includes the step of recovering from a reservation maintained by a subscriber information corresponding to the access that indicates the communications information for contact the user while in the database.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that the information is stored in the reservation maintained for the subscriber is updated according to a pattern of communication options used at a time by the subscriber in accessing the database.

30. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the communications information to contact the user is automatically updated in accordance with a change in one direction. 10 communications to contact the user.

31. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the user can be subject to verification of the identity of the user, updates the 15 communications information to contact the user. * 32. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the information corresponding to

The user's preferred communication options are automatically learned according to how the user interacts with an attempt to communicate to other people.

33. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that another database includes a message provided with information about the user's contact.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the message provides information about the user's contact includes an audio message.

35. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that the database also includes a list of identification of those persons entitled to access the message provided with information about 15 of the user's contact.

36. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that it further comprises the step of sending the message supplying information about the contact of the user in response to the request for the user's contact information.

37. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the other database includes 25 multimedia information corresponding to the user.

J S 38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that the multimedia information corresponding to the user includes a page in the network.

39. A method of operating access to the Active User Registry over a communication network, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: 10 a. receive a request for the contact information corresponding to the user. b. search a database containing communication information to contact the user including a user identity, a plurality of 15 communication addresses and information corresponding to the user's preferred communication options; wherein the user's preferred communication options are automatically learned 20 according to how the user interacts with communications for other people; and c. determine for the database a communications address to contact the user.

40. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that the user identifier includes information representing at least one user identity, the user's title, the 5 user occupation or personal information corresponding to the user.

41. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that the plurality of addresses of? The communication includes an address to contact the user by telephone, an address to contact the user by e-mail, an address to contact the user by fax, and a common address to make direct the communication contact with the user.

42. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that the plurality of other communication addresses includes an address for contacting the user by video telephone.

43. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that the plurality of other communication addresses includes an address for contacting the user by a voice message.

44. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that the plurality of other communication addresses includes an address to contact the 5 user for a timepo-real IP message.

45. The method according to claim 41, characterized in that the plurality of other communication addresses includes a compatible URL 10 to link to a page in the network associated with the # user.

46. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that the information corresponds to the

The user's preferred communication options include at least one of the time of the day, the day of the week or information representing the identity of a person attempting the user's contact. 20 47. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that the information corresponds to the preferred communication options of the user includes information received on a linked communication for a source of personal information. 25 associated with the user.

48. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that it also includes the supply to enable interaction with, control and direction of the 5 service for some voice-compatible communication interconnection available.

49. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that the step of receiving a requirement for a communication address to contact the user includes the step of recovering -1 to keep the corresponding information stored for a subscriber from an access point to the information of the communications to contact the user 15 stored in the database.

50. The method according to claim 49, characterized in that the information stored in the reservation is maintained for a subscriber according to a pattern of communication options used over time by the subscriber after accessing the database.

51. A method of operating an Active User Registration service accessible over a communications network, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a. receive a request for the communications contact information corresponding to the 5 user b. searching a database contained in the communications information to contact the user including a user identifier, a plurality of communication and information addresses # 10 corresponding to the user's preferred communication options; wherein the information corresponds to the preferred communication options of the user includes information received by a source of personal information associated with the user; and c. Determine for the database communication addresses to contact the user. Summary An Active User Registration system comprises a database that is integrated by the POTS network and a network packet (such as the Internet, or an Intranet of a corporation). Integrate the AUR with the POTS network and a network packet exploiting the outstanding strength of both of its components, such as the waiting-low time, high reliability, moderate voice fidelity in * 10 real-time telephony given by the POTS network and the access signal-and-key to distribute in the database with excellent search capability given by a network packet, such as the Internet (including those facts available using technology from browse in conjunction 15 with the World Wide Web). The AUR database contains a dynamic data structure (such as a connection list or a shredded table) of all paths in which one or more users can be searched via some type of communication network (e.g., through the network). 20 POTS "or a 'network packet, or both.) A key characteristic of the AUR is the ability to terminate between a subscriber's requirement for contact information communications corresponding to a user and the preferences of the subscriber. 25 user being called by several communication alternatives. Other features may be included with the AUR including an AUR reservation that provides the subscriber with quick access to access points between the AUR, or automatically update the user's contact information. In addition, the ability to learn user preferences that it includes as an additional feature and is also included as a feature in an alternative embodiment of the present invention.