WO2010114489A1

WO2010114489A1 - Common virtual number for shared telephony services

Info

Publication number: WO2010114489A1
Application number: PCT/SG2010/000117
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sriperumal Venugopal
Original assignee: Sriperumal Venugopal
Priority date: 2009-03-30
Filing date: 2010-03-26
Publication date: 2010-10-07
Also published as: SG165208A1

Abstract

The Present invention relates to the use of universally addressable virtual phone numbers to facilitate communication between a pair or group of users owning physical numbers associated with their devices or service identifiers provided by their service providers. More specifically the present invention relates to a system and method for two or more users to own common virtual telephone numbers to manage their multimedia communication.

Description

COMMON VIRTUAL NUMBER FOR SHARED TELEPHONY SERVICES

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of universally addressable virtual phone numbers to facilitate communication between a pair or group of users owning physical numbers associated with their devices or service identifiers provided by their service providers. More specifically the present invention relates to a system and method for two or more users to own common virtual telephone numbers to manage their multimedia communication and asynchronous voice and video communication.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

Traditionally every user is provided a unique identifier such as a telephone number to identify them and people communicate with each other by calling or messaging a number associated with the recipient user. However no system exists currently where two or more people jointly own a telephone number. If a user wants to call a married couple and wish them on their wedding anniversary, he or she has to call or message twice. But what is lacking a system that provides a single number that can be used to call or message the couple and wish them at the same time. Extending this need, there is no system that exists where a team of users can call one number and update each other of status information and reports of interest to the team.

Also delivering value added services mandate the users to dial a specific number and identify themselves with a sequence of interactive steps before service can be delivered. For example if a user wants to deliver a voice greeting the steps involved include dialing a service access number, then recording a greeting and typing the target user's number. This approach requires remembering service access numbers and following different kinds of sequence for different kinds of services. However it is easy for anyone to remember one number that is shared between two people and accessing a multitude of services in a well defined single interface to services. The proposed system solves this need for shared numbers and enabling easier access to services. Traditional methods of communication do not facilitate easy asynchronous communication. Most of the time one of the parties in the pair or group is not available at the same time to communicate. A common number can facilitate storing or communication indefinitely and access at the convenience of each individual. Text messaging, voice and video mails enable asynchronous communication to some extent but they do not offer directed communication within a pair or group and are not extensible to store messages for long period of times. Also traditional systems club all communication together and do not differentiate channels of communication. The proposed system of virtual numbers will categorize communication such as friend, family, biz, etc and helps to analyze, review and manage pair or group communications over long periods of time.

US 5923733 patent cites a process wherein the first user dials a voice message system, enters a group ID and records a message, the system then delivers a message to individual telephone numbers corresponding to the group id remembered by the caller. All communications if stored are archived at every user's account or device thereby not providing a single repository as a consistent record. The proposed system eliminates the need for duplicating recordings and manages one consistent record of all conversation between a pair or among a group of users. Services like chat forums, audio/video conferencing , push-to-talk, group messaging, social networking and closed user group offer somewhat similar functionality but all of them still rely on individual identities and do not offer joint ownership.

Chat forums are joined in by users either by invitation or by adding to the list. As such the users don't have control over the forums as it is not owned by participants.

Conferencing services publish one number and people join in the conferences by typing in access codes and not authenticated who the users are and thus technically not owned by anyone but access is granted to anyone who knows the access code.

Push-to-talk is basically a broadcast service where a user can choose a list of users to talk to at the same time. It is more convenient that talking to every individual. It is just an easier form of conferencing.

Group messaging like email address list is controlled from every individual. One list created by one person is not the same list owned by others. As such it is joint ownership but a convenient way to send the same message to a group of people without the need to send multiple times.

Social networking sites are another form of group messaging. But a message posted by one person goes to one set of people and another posted by one of the members in that list goes to a different set of people. Here again the service is not jointly owned. In view of the forgoing, there is a need for a universally addressable virtual phone numbers to facilitate communication between a pair or group of users owning physical numbers associated with their devices or service identifiers provided by their service providers which is consistent and every action taken by one of the users in the group is treated exactly the same as any other user.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

One or more of the problems of the conventional prior art may be overcome by various embodiments of the system and method of the present invention.

It is thus the basic object of the present invention to provide a system and methods of creating, assigning and managing virtual telephone numbers that can be shared by two or more users to access telephony services.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a method for service providers wherein the mobile operators create a list of virtual numbers that can be published to two or more users to purchase a number or a specific number of interest from the available list and own it as a common number and access services shared by them jointly.

It is another object of the present invention is to provide a method for service providers wherein the application developers or third party content providers can offer services on a virtual number that will be of interested to the pair or group owning a particular virtual number. It is yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for users to access the virtual number and associated services like any other telephone number from anywhere in the world.

It is further object to provide methods for users to subscribe to service or services of interest on the virtual number they jointly own.

It another object of the present invention to provide for a system and method to own a common virtual telephone number to manage multimedia communications and asynchronous voice and video communication.

It is another object of the invention to provide for a system and method of providing services like recording conversation as a private diary, greetings and advertisements from third parties of interest to the group of users, reminder services etc or any such service that is relevant to a pair or group of users.

It is yet object of the invention to provide application developers the system and methods to deliver services specifically targeted at a couple, a family, a team or group made up of an arbitrary number of users bound together by the virtual number.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide for a virtual number which doesn't require any SIM card. The invention allows the subscriber to have one common Virtual Number between two users. The foregoing objects of the present invention are presented in the following way: 1. Product Component: i. User Mobile Features/Functions

ii. User Web Features/Functions

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a system for shared telephony services among users comprising:

a common virtual number; a mobile device, wherein said device includes limited or unlimited storage setting; a web interface generating a database corresponding to said common virtual number; and operator services for provisioning and administrating of said virtual number, wherein two or more group of users are associated with said virtual number, accessible by anyone in said group independent of network operators, wherein one location / network is identified by said virtual number and said location/network having recorded messages to share among said group of users, and wherein said system includes offline and recorded asynchronous message settings, scalable to many users in said group.

Another aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of shared telephony services among users using said system comprising; creating a list of virtual numbers; provisioning the assignment of a virtual number from the list to two or more users; facilitating purchasing of specific number of interest by users from said available list through one or means; and managing said specific virtual number as a common number for accessing services that are shared among said users jointly, wherein said virtual number operates without requiring a SIM card, wherein said means includes operators, web, mobile phone etc, and wherein said services includes recording conversation as a private diary, greetings, advertisements from different group of users, reminder services etc.

A further aspect of the present invention is directed to a method of shared telephony services among users using said system, wherein said accessing comprises: inviting another user through one or more means; accepting said invitation by another user and activating said virtual number through one or more means; and terminating said virtual number account of said another user through operator and web, wherein said means includes web e mail, SMS etc.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed a method of shared telephony services among users using said system, wherein said accessing allows inviting a guest user to access said virtual number through web, mobile etc.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed a method of shared telephony services among users using said system, wherein the application developers or content providers can offer said services on a virtual number that will be of interest to the pair or group of said users owning a particular virtual number.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed a method of shared telephony services among users using said system, wherein said services can be delivered specifically targeted at a couple, a family, a team or group made up of an arbitrary number of users bound together by said virtual number.

A still further aspect of the present invention is directed a method of shared telephony services among users using said system, wherein said services includes multimedia communication and asynchronous voice and video communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 : illustrates the existing number system.

Figure 2: illustrates the proposed virtual number system.

Figure 3: illustrates Buying QNumber / Common Number through Operator.

Figure 4: illustrates Buying QNumber / Common number through web.

Figure 5: illustrates Buying QNumber by using Mobile phone (SMS)

Figure 6: illustrates Buying QNumber by using mobile phone (IVR system)

Figure 7: illustrates the overall buying Process by sending invitational Email to B party.

Figure 8: illustrates the overall buying Process by sending invitational SMS to B party.

Figure 9: illustrates the user first time login to QNumber web portal.

Figure 10: illustrates the first time using QNumber service through mobile.

Figure 11 : illustrates invite guest user to access user's QNumber.

Figure 12: illustrates invite another QNumber user to access user's QNumber.

Figure 13: illustrates 3rd Party viewing video snippets via mobile and web.

Figure 14: illustrates normal login Verification and Mobile.

Figure 15: illustrates web functions available for users.

Figure 16: illustrates mobile functions available for users.

Figure 17: illustrates user logout from web.

Figure 18: illustrates user terminating QNumber through web.

Figure 19: illustrates user terminating QNumber through mobile.

Figure 20: illustrates user sets the video files rights.

Figure 21 : illustrates delivering values add services.

Figure 22: illustrates the multi-modal access. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING FIGURES:

As already described, the invention is directed towards the use of universally addressable virtual phone numbers to facilitate communication between a pair or group of users owning physical numbers associated with their devices or service identifiers provided by their service providers. Importantly, the present invention relates to a system and method for two or more users to own common virtual telephone numbers to manage their multimedia communication and asynchronous voice and video communication. The present invention enables Group Messaging service using voice and video calls for mobile users. The common virtual number of the present invention minimizes deployment cost and time for mobile users and works on all devices in the market.

Attention is first invited to accompanying Figure 1 that illustrates the existing number system. The User A [1234] calls User B [7899] in order to communicate with User B. When the User A calls User B, the system validates the number and establishes an alert call to User B. Once after receiving the alert call the User B answers the call and begins to talk to User A.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 2 that illustrates the proposed virtual number system of the present invention. The user [User A (1234)] calls a common number [3456] to the system which validates the common number and the user A's mobile number. The system allows the User [User A] to start recording a video snippet after which the user [User A] ends the call. Now the system sends an alert to User B. User B calls to the common number [3456]. The user [User B (7899)] can view the video snippet after which the user [User B] ends the call with the system. Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 3 that illustrates the method to buy QNumber / Common Number through Operator comprising the steps of:

1) Operator /Retailer accessing the CMS (Content Management System).

2) Enter required details in the Sign Up form. User has to fill in this information. a. A Party's name b. A Party's MSISDN (validation: mobile number format) c. A party's email address (validation: email address) d. Select a Virtual Number (User can select up to 3 Virtual Number choices) e. User can either choose the number by using the table list or by entering a number range f. B Party's name g. B Party's MSISDN (validation: mobile number format) h. B party's email address (validation: email address)

3) Click Submit button

4) Upon clicking the Button the system will send notification to A party & B party. a. An email Activation Link to B Party. b. SMS Invitation to B Party c. SMS notification to A party

5) The operator then will print out the account statement /details .The prints out will be given to the user together with the login information (One time password (OTP) for Virtual Number website) & set of instruction. Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 4 that illustrates the method to buy QNumber/ Common Number through Web comprising the steps of:

1) Click the SIGN UP link

2) Enter required details in the Sign Up form. User has to fill in this information. a. A Party's name b. A Party's MSISDN (validation: mobile number format) c. A party's email address (validation: email address) d. Select a Virtual Number (User can select up to 3 Virtual Number choices) e. Country - by default system should detect where the user from f. HELP link should be provided g. User can either choose the number by using the table list or suggested Virtual Number h. B Party's name i. B Party's MSISDN (validation: mobile number format) j. B party's email address (validation: email address) k. Security image

1. Terms and conditions (validation checkbox)

3) Click BUY button

4) Upon clicking the Button the system will send notification to B party & A Party. a. An email Activation Link to B Party b. SMS Invitation to B Party) c. SMS notification to A party

5) The user will be prompted the following: a. The content of the prompt will ask the user to check their mobile for password to access virtual number website. b. The content of the prompt will ask the user to check their email .An activation link has been send to the email account.

6) After the prompt the page will be directed to main home of Virtual Number.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 5 that illustrates the method to buy QNumber by using Mobile phone (SMS) comprising the steps of:

1) A Party types Buy QNumber and send short code

2) Selecting X number and replying back with selected QNumber

3) System sends alert to B Party

4) B Party's MSISDN (validation: mobile number format)

5) Click BUY button

6) B Party and A Party on notification alert activates the account through mobile or web

7) Upon clicking the Button the system will send notification to B party & A Party. a. An email activation link to B Party b. SMS Invitation to B Party c. SMS notification to A Party

8) The user will be prompted the following: a. The content of the prompt will ask the user to check their mobile for password to access virtual number website. b. The content of the prompt will ask the user to check their email. An activation link has been send to the email account. 9) After the prompt the page will be directed to main home of Virtual Number.

10) B Party activating QNumber through web i) B Party login to Virtual Number website ii) Change the password iii) Portal account gets activated. H) B Party activating QNumber through mobile i) Call the QNumber ii) Activation of QNumber

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 6 that illustrates the method to buy QNumber by using mobile phone (IVR system) comprising the steps of:

1) A Party calls QNumber and through Interactive Voice System (IVR)

2) Press Buy QNumber and enter B Party's MSISDN (validation: mobile number format)

3) System sends alert to B Party

4) B Party and A Party on notification alert activates the account through mobile or web

5) Upon clicking the Button the system will send notification to B party & A Party. a. An email activation link to B Party b. SMS invitation to B Party c. SMS notification to A Party

6) The user will be prompted the following: a. The content of the prompt will ask the user to check their mobile for password to access virtual number website. b. The content of the prompt will ask the user to check their email. An activation link has been send to the email account. 7) After the prompt the page will be directed to main home of Virtual Number.

8) B Party activating QNumber through web i) B Party login to Virtual Number website ii) Change the password iii) Portal account gets activated

9) B Party activating QNumber through mobile i) Call the QNumber ii) Activation of QNumber

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 7 that illustrates the method for overall buying process by sending invitational email to B party comprising the steps of:

1) A Party accessing the CMS (Content Management System).

2) Enter required details in the Sign Up form. User has to fill in this information. a. A Party's name b. A Party's MSISDN (validation: mobile number format) c. A party's email address (validation: email address) d. Select a Virtual Number (User can select up to 3 Virtual Number choices) e. User can either choose the number by using the table list or by entering a number range

3) System sends Email to B Party

4) Click link and select a QNumber

5) Upon clicking the Button the system will send notification to A Party & B party. a. An email activation Link to B Party. b. SMS Invitation to B Party c. SMS notification to A Party

6) The operator then will print out the account statement /details. The prints out will be given to the user together with the login information (OTP for Virtual Number website) & set of instruction.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 8 that illustrates the system and method to Overall Buying Process by sending invitational SMS to B party comprising the steps of:

1) A Party accessing the CMS (Content Management System), either through web or by outlet.

3) Click Submit button

4) Upon clicking the Button the system will send notification to A Party & B Party. a. An email activation link to B Party. b. SMS Invitation to B Party c. SMS notification to A Party 5) The operator then will print out the account statement /details .The prints out will be given to the user together with the login information (OTP for Virtual Number website) & set of instruction.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 9 that illustrates the method of logging in to QNumber web portal for the first time by the user comprising the steps of:

1) A party receives the notification. The notification will include One time password (OTP) for virtual number website.

2) A party will login using his MSISDN and the one time activation password.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 10 that illustrates the method of using QNumber service for the first time through mobile comprising the steps of:

1) Party A or Party B will make their first video call to activate their account.

2) Party A or Party B will be prompt with a Video Demo.

3) Party A or Party B can start using the Virtual Number by leaving a video message.

Reference is now invited to the accompanying Figure 11 that illustrates the method of inviting guest user to access user's QNumber comprising the steps of:

1) User login into virtual number website.

2) User then click Invite Friends link.

3) User fills up the information of the friend. a. 3rd Party's name b. 3rd Party's email address (""mandatory) c. 3rd Party's MSISDN (*mandatory) d. Assign Auto generated Virtual Number (""mandatory)

4) 3^rd Party viewing automatically played video on phone a. First time calling QNumber b. Normal calling QNumber c. Calls by using unregistered QNumber

5) 3^rd Party viewing the video demo played if there is no message in the inbox a. First time calling QNumber through web b. Normal calling QNumber through web

6) User sets the privilege of the 3rd Party a. View Video /Playback b. Tagging Enable for Video c. Reply/Video Comment (only applicable using the mobile phone)

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 12 that illustrates the method of inviting another QNumber user to access user's QNumber comprising the steps of:

1) A party login into Virtual Number website.

2) A party then click invite another virtual number Friend link.

3) A party fills up the information of the friend. a. X Party's name b. X Party's email address (*mandatory) c. X Party's MSISDN (*mandatory) d. X Virtual Number (optional)

4) A party then will set the privilege of the 3rd Party a. View Video /Playback b. Tagging Enable for Video c. Reply/Video Comment (only applicable using the mobile phone)

5) A party then clicks the Invite Button.

6) Upon clicking the invite button the system will send a. An approval mail will send to the B party.

7) Prompt A party that the invitation will be completed once the B party approved.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 13 that illustrates the method of enabling a 3rd Party to view video snippets via mobile and web comprising the steps of:

1) User C viewing automatically played video on phone a. First time calling of QNumber b. Normal calling of QNumber c. Calls in using unregistered QNumber

2) User C viewing the video demo played if there is no message in the inbox a. First time calling QNumber through web b. Normal calling QNumber through web

3) System allows to check for privileges

4) If yes, the system allows user C to record comments.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 14 that illustrates the method of normal login verification and mobile, comprising the steps of: I) A party will receive the verification email

2) A party will select the verification link

3) A party will be directed to the verification page 4) A party login

5) A party got to view the virtual number user details a. virtual number user's name b. virtual number user's MSISDN c. virtual number user's email address

6) A party then select the accept button.

7) The system then will add virtual number user to A & B Party list & vice versa to virtual number user

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 15 that illustrates the web functions available for users

I) A Party login to the virtual number website.

2) Checks for new messages.

3) If A Party got new messages i) The new video snippets play automatically

4) IfA Party does not get any new messages ii) Allows user to view old video snippets.

5) The A Party has following features: a. Replay video b. Throw items c. Next video, previous video, and mute d. Comment using text. Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 16 that illustrates the mobile functions available for users

1) A Party calls the QNumber

2) Checks for new messages.

3) If A Party got new messages i) The new video snippets play automatically

4) If A Party does not get any new messages ii) Allows user to view old video snippets.

5) System sends a notification of alert to B Party

6) B Party calls the QNumber and views the recorded video snippets

7) B Party has the option to press three buttons i) Press * - Reply to the recorded video snippets ii) Press 0 — End the call. iii) Press # - View the next video snippets.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 17 that illustrates user logout from web, comprising the steps of:

I) A Party logs in to the virtual number website

2) A Party uses User ID & Password

3) System verifies user ID and Password

4) Click logout

5) A Party is logged out. Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 18 that illustrates the user terminating QNumber through web, comprising the steps of:

1) User logs into Virtual Number Website

2) Click on terminate my virtual number link

3) Click confirm

4) An Email notification will be send to B party

5) System will send a predefine termination message to users Virtual Number inbox.

6) The Virtual Number account is suspended.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 19 that illustrates the user terminating QNumber through mobile, comprising the steps of:

I) A Party sends a request to terminate QNumber link through mobile.

2) Operator verifies caller information

3) System verifies the information and suspends the QNumber account.

4) System notifies B Party with an email i) Click email link

ii) Click confirm

5) Pre-defined message is sent to B Party

6) QNumber account gets terminated in X days.

Reference is now invited to accompanying Figure 20 that illustrates the user setting the video file rights, comprising the steps of:

1) Users login into Virtual Number website.

2) User then click Video file rights link. 3) User selects the preferred video to be shared by marking on the check box.

4) User select friends from friends list by marking on the check box.

5) User then select the properties of the video file sharing rights a. Enable video comment on this video

6) User then select OK button

7) A confirmation box will be prompt to the user.

Attention is now invited to accompanying Figure 21 that illustrates the proposed delivery of value added service of the present invention. The users through the web shall check for new messages, Ads, Applications, Comment/Tagging, Invite, Buy options. The content present shall be stored in a database. The users shall call QNumber and check for new messages. If they have got new messages, they shall play the video snippets automatically. If they have not got any new messages, then the user is allowed to record the video snippets. After which the users shall have the option of record video followed by send video.

Attention is now invited to accompanying Figure 22 that illustrates the Multi-Modal Access of the common virtual number of the present invention. The user [user A] either voice or video makes a call to check for new messages. If there are new messages, then the video snippets play automatically. If the user [user A] does not have new messages, then it would allow the user to record the video snippets. The user [user A] through the web shall check for new messages, Ads, Content, Comment/Tagging, Invite, Buy options that are included in the Database.

Claims

I Claim:

1. A system for shared telephony services among users comprising: a common virtual number; a mobile device, wherein said device includes limited or unlimited storage setting; a web interface generating a database corresponding to said common virtual number; and operator services for provisioning and administrating of said virtual number, wherein two or more group of users are associated with said virtual number, accessible by anyone in said group independent of network operators, wherein one location / network is identified by said virtual number and said location/network having recorded messages to share among said group of users, and wherein said system includes offline and recorded asynchronous message settings, scalable to many users in said group.

2. A method of shared telephony services among users using said system as claimed in claim 1 comprising; creating a list of virtual numbers; provisioning the assignment of a virtual number from the list to two or more users; facilitating purchasing of specific number of interest by users from said available list through one or means; and managing said specific virtual number as a common number for accessing services that are shared among said users jointly, wherein said virtual number operates without requiring a SIM card, wherein said means includes operators, web, mobile phone etc, and wherein said services includes recording conversation as a private diary, greetings, advertisements from different group of users, reminder services etc.

3. A method of shared telephony services among users using said system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 2, wherein said accessing comprises: inviting another user through one or more means; accepting said invitation by another user and activating said virtual number through one or more means; and terminating said virtual number account of said another user through operator and web, wherein said means includes web e mail, SMS etc.,

4. A method of shared telephony services among users using said system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein said accessing allows inviting a guest user to access said virtual number through web, mobile etc.

5. A method of shared telephony services among users using said system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 to 4, wherein the application developers or content providers can offer said services on a virtual number that will be of interest to the pair or group of said users owning a particular virtual number.

6. A method of shared telephony services among users using said system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 5, wherein said services can be delivered specifically targeted at a couple, a family, a team or group made up of an arbitrary number of users bound together by said virtual number.

7. A method of shared telephony services among users using said system as claimed in anyone of claims 1 or 6, wherein said services includes multimedia communication and asynchronous voice and video communication.