Patent Application
20080310399
There have been many approaches for making communications over the Internet using the so-called Voice-over-Internet-Protocol (VoIP). VoIP refers to the routing of voice communications over the Internet or through any other IP-based network. VoIP technology works by converting analog voice into digital data packets and sending the packets over the Internet to another communication network.
Typically, the users subscribe to a VoIP service that allows them to access a server that can make VoIP long distance phone calls. Since the digitized packets of VoIP calls are not sent via the circuit-switched inter-exchange carrier (IXC), such as AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint systems, the user is billed for long distance calls at much lower rates. However, for an incoming call originated from PSTN/mobile to the Internet, one or both parties using conventional VoIP services still pay depending upon minute plan and termination charges, which is one of the difficulties of the conventional VoIP services.
Another difficulty of the conventional VoIP services is that each user is exclusively signed-up for an online communication service (or, shortly, online service), such as, AIM®, Yahoo and MSN Instant Messengers™ software, to receive incoming calls through the Internet. The conventional VoIP systems do not allow a subscriber to receive calls irrespective of the type of online service. For instance, a subscriber signed-up for one type of online service, say AIM, cannot be reached by the conventional VoIP systems if the subscriber is using a computer installed with another type of online service, say MSN Instant Messenger. As such, there is a need for systems and methods that can allow phone users (callers) to access internet users (receivers) at no charge and allow the internet users to be reached without being limited by the type of online service.
According to one embodiment, a method of connecting a phone to a client via a network includes steps of: receiving a call from the phone; sending a notification of the call to the client; causing a user of the client, receiver, to launch an internet phone on the client in response to the notification; and connecting the phone to the client via the internet phone whereby providing a communication between the receiver and a user of the phone, caller.
According to another embodiment, a system for connecting a phone to a client via a network includes a server connected to the network. The server includes: means for receiving a call from the phone; means for sending a notification of the call to the client; means for causing a user of the client, receiver, to launch an internet phone on the client in response to the notification thereby to accept the call; and means for connecting the phone to the client via the internet phone whereby providing a communication between the receiver and a user of the phone, caller.
Referring now to
Each of the phones 104a-104d can be coupled to the network 102 via a suitable connection mechanism/system. For instance, the mobile phone 104a may communicate wireless signals with a wireless carrier (not shown in
The phones 104a-104d can be connected to clients 118a-118c via the network 102 that may be operated by internet users or receivers. Each client may include components for audio communication, such as speaker and microphone, and a display window for displaying visual images. Also, each client is installed with at least one online service, such as AIM®, Yahoo Instant messenger™ software, MSN Instant Messenger™ software, GoogleTalk®, Lycos Globe7™ software, Jingle Networks™ software and Naver™ software, and a web browser for communication.
The clients may include, but are not limited to, a PC 118a, a laptop computer 118b, and a PDA device 118c. As in the case of phones 104a-104d, other types of electronic devices may be used as clients. For instance, a server (not shown in
The IMVocal server 108 may be connected to the network 102 and a database 114. In one exemplary embodiment, the server 108 and database 114 may form an integral body. In another exemplary embodiment, the server 108 may be installed in several mirror sites that are remotely located from each other and connected to the network 102. The IMVocal server 108 may be connected to a third body server 120 of an online advertising marketplace, such as AdBrite and FederatedMedia, via the network 102.
The IMVocal server 108 may include one or more servers, such as voice application server (VAS) 110 and business application server (BAS) 112. The operation and functions of these servers are detailed in conjunction with
The IMVocal server 108 may connect a phone, say 104a, to a client, say 118a.
The caller, i.e., the user of the phone 104a, may dial a phone number of the IMVocal server 108 to connect to the IMVocal server in a state 204. In one exemplary embodiment, the phone number is a toll free number. The voice application server (VAS) 110 may receive the incoming call and play MESSAGE1 to the caller in states 206 and 208. MESSAGE1 may include an advertisement and a prompt to enter the receiver's extension number (or, shortly extension). The advertisement, such as “this call is sponsored by xxxx,” may allow the IMVocal server 108 to generate revenue and the caller to earn credit for the time to communicate with clients via the IMVocal server. In one exemplary embodiment, the earned credit may be stored in the database 114. In the state 208, the VAS 110 may also assign a unique identifier, referred to as CALLID, for the incoming call from the phone 104a. In one exemplary embodiment, the CALLID may be a numeric or alphanumeric characters, strings, or the like. This unique identifier may be local to the VAS and have temporary significance for the VAS as long as the call is in progress.
The extension may be a disposable phone number (or, alphanumeric string) assigned to the receiver by the IMVocal server 108. The extension number (or, shortly extension) may expire after the lapse of a preset period of time from issuance thereof. To get a new extension, the receiver may contact the IMVocal server in advance by email, phone, or the like. Upon receipt of the new extension, the receiver may inform the caller of the new extension in advance so that the caller can enter the receiver's extension in response to the MESSAGE1. Also, the IMVocal server 108 may associate the new extension number with internet ID of the receiver. Then, the process may proceed to a decision block 210.
In the block 210, a determination may be made as to whether the extension is entered by the caller. In one exemplary embodiment, the call may be allowed to enter the extension twice. If the caller fails to enter the extension correctly, the VAS 110 may play MESSAGE 2, such as “the extension is invalid,” to the caller in a state 238 and subsequently disconnect the call in a state 232. Upon positive answer to the decision block 210, the VAS 110 may send CALL_PROFILE to the business application server (BAS) 112 and wait for a response from the BAS in a state 212. The CALL_PROFILE may include, for instance, caller ID and the extension. Then, the process may proceed to a state 214.
In the state 214, the BAS 112 may use the extension in CALL_PROFILE received from the VAS 110 and look up the extension in the database 114. Next, a determination as to whether or not a receiver (or, clients of the receiver) corresponding to the extension exists in the database may be made in a decision block 216. Upon negative answer to the decision block 216, the process may proceed to a state 222. Otherwise, the BAS112 may send a notification in the form of an applet having an Uniform Resource Locator (URL) address (or, shortly, applet URL) to the client's online service in a state 218. In one exemplary embodiment, the URL may be represented as a string. In another exemplary embodiment, the applet may be in the form of a button or icon that when pressed can open the IMVocal's applet. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the BAS 112 may send a notification to the receiver by email if the client includes an email service.
The client 118a may be installed with an online service, such as AIM®, Yahoo Instant messenger™ software, MSN Instant Messenger™ software, GoogleTalk®, Lycos Globe7™ software, Jingle Networks™ software and Naver™ software, which includes an IMVocal bot. In one exemplary embodiment, the IMVocal bot may be included in the contact list of the online service. If the client's online service is running when the applet URL is sent to the client 118a in the state 218, the IMVocal bot in the client's online service may respond to display an URL address as a message in the online service window. The URL address corresponds to a web address of the IMVocal server 108.
The IMVocal bot can be added to any type of online service by the receiver. Thus, the receiver or called party can be reached via anyone of the many online services with a single identifier, i.e., the extension number, without the need for sharing all his/her personas. The IMVocal server 108 may send the applet URL to at least one of the clients associated with the extension number in the state 218.
The information of the client(s) to be used by the receiver may be provided to the IMVocal server 108 by the receiver in advance so that the IMVocal server can associate the client(s) with the extension number. In one exemplary embodiment, the information may include the type default URL address of the client that is most frequently used by the receiver. In another exemplary embodiment, the information may include multiple URL addresses of several identifiers of different online messenger services such as, but are not limited to, Gtalk™, MSN™, Yahoo™ softwares, clients so that the BAS server 112 can send a URL of the applet that receives the incoming call URL applet to the clients, either simultaneously or one by one, thereby to search for the client that the receiver is currently using. The multiple clients may be prioritized and stored in the database 114.
In a state 220, the BAS 112 may check a user profile and send the user profile to the VAS 110. The user profile may include information, such as the time available to the caller. Subsequently, in a state 222, the BAS may set an appropriate Status Code regarding the status of the client 118a and send a response along with the Status Code to the VAS 110, wherein the response may include USER_NOT_FOUND, USER_NOT_AVAILABLE, USER_NOT_LOGGED_IN, USER_VOICEMAIL, SUCCESS, FAILURE, or the like. Next, in a decision block 224, the BAS 112 may check if the receiver responds to the applet URL in MAX_PROMPT_WAIT seconds, i.e., it is determined whether or not the receiver responds within MAX_PROMPT_WAIT seconds. In one exemplary embodiment, the receiver may respond by clicking the URL address displayed on the online service window, such as, but are not limited to, Yahoo IM Window™, MSN window™ softwares, so that a new web page that contains the IMVocal service instance for that call along with other information from of the IMVocal server 108 may be displayed on the client 118a. In another exemplary embodiment, the receiver may respond by opening a new web page and enter the URL address of the IMVocal server 108 thereby to connect to the IMVocal server 108. Upon negative answer to the decision block 224, the VAS 110 may play MESSAGE3 to the caller to inform that the receiver cannot be reached. If the answer to the decision block 224 is positive, the process may proceed to a state 225.
In the state 225, the BAS 112 sends the CALLED_PARTY_PROFILE (CPP) to the VAS 110, wherein the CPP includes, but are not limited to, information such as the number of minutes left for the call and which ringback tone is to be played on the caller's side. Subsequently, in a state 226, the VAS 110 may process the response and Status Code received from the BAS 112 in the state 222. Next, in a decision block 228, the VAS may check if the Status Code is equal to OK, meaning the client 118a is online and ready for communication and/or the receiver is willing to accept the incoming call. It is noted that the comparison in the state 228 is of exemplary nature and that the comparison may be made against other suitable strings or values, such as USER_ONLINE, SUCCESS, or the like.
Upon positive answer to the decision block 228, the process may proceed to a state 240 (
In the state 240, the VAS 110 may put the caller on hold. Then, in a state 242, the VAS may play CPP.RINGTONE1 to the caller until a first ringtone ends. In one exemplary embodiment, the CPP.RINGTONE1 may be an audio message. In another exemplary embodiment, the CPP.RINGTONE1 may be a video message in case the calling phone is capable of receiving it, wherein the video message may also include audio messages. It is noted that other type of message, such as commercial advertisement, may be played instead of the ringtone. Next, the process may proceed to a decision block 244. In the block 244, the VAS 110 may determine whether the receiver responds to the applet URL displayed on the online service window to launch a new web page. In one exemplary embodiment, the new web page may include a phone applet for accepting the incoming call and other various features, such as advertisement banners of sponsoring entities. The web page may also include an icon coupled to the phone applet, making the receiver perceive the feeling as if the receiver is using a regular phone. The phone applet may also display information related to the call, such as caller ID and time available for the call, wherein the available time is associated with the credit earned by the caller.
Upon negative answer to the block 244, the process may proceed to a decision block 248. In the decision block, a determination may be made as to whether the ringtone has played twice. (It should be apparent to those of ordinary skill that the ringtone may be played more than twice to proceed further steps from a state 262.) Upon negative answer to the block 248, the process may proceed to a state 250. In the state 250, the VAS may play CPP.RINGTONE2, which is similar to CPP.RINGTONE1, until a second ringtone ends. Then, the process may proceed to the state 244. Upon positive answer to the block 248, the process may proceed to the state 262. If the answer to the block 244 is positive, the process may proceed to a state 246. It is noted that the notion of RINGONE1 and RINGTONE2 is just to show that the CPP may contain any suitable number of profile elements of the user and include more than two ringtones.
In the state 246, the VAS 110 may compare the CALLID assigned to the call in the state 208 with the list of CallProfile.CALLID stored in the database 114. Typically, there can be a large number of incoming calls received by the IMVocal server 108. Thus, if the CALLID does not match anyone in the CallProfile.CALLID list, it is likely that the incoming call may be from a hacker or a denial-of-service (DOS) attacker. It may also be possible that the internet user may receive the link after a while and click on it thinking the call is recent. However, as the CALLID may be of temporary nature and expire if the call is not in process, the click would not result any connection.
Next, the process may proceed to a decision block 252 to determine whether the CALLID matches one of the CallProfile.CALLID, i.e., the caller is a DOS attacker or the call has expired and no longer valid. Upon negative answer to the block 252, the process may proceed to a state 254 to ignore (or, equivalently, end) the caller's call as a possible DOS attack. Otherwise, the process may proceed to an optional state 256.
In the state 256, the VAS 110 may process the incoming message from the caller. Then, the VAS 110 may determine whether or not the receiver or called party accepts the call in a decision block 258. Upon negative answer to the block 258, the process proceeds to the state 262. In the state 262, the VAS 110 may check the CPP received from the BAS 112 in the state 255. Then, in a state 264, the VAS may determine if CPP.VMAIL is OK, i.e., the called party's voice mail account is ready to accept a voice mail and/or the called party has subscribed to voicemail feature as part of the service offering.
Upon negative answer to the block 264, the VAS 110 may play MESSAGE4, such as “the receiver does not have voice mail setup” or “the receiver's vmail box is full.” Then, the process may proceed to the state 232 (
If the answer to the state 264 is positive, the process may proceed to a state 274. In the state 274, the VAS 110 may prompt the caller to leave a voice mail and allow the caller to record a voice mail during the MAX_VMAIL_LEN seconds. Then, the process may proceed to the state 232.
Upon positive answer to the block 258, i.e., the receiver accepts the call, the process may proceed to a state 260. In the state 260, the VAS 110 may connect the calling-leg to the called-leg, i.e., the caller may communicate with the receiver via the web page that is opened by clicking the applet URL, is displayed on the client, and includes a phone applet. The conversation may continue in a state 266. In a state 268, the BAS 112 may display advertisement(s) on the web page, wherein the advertisements are mapped based on the profile of the client 118a, such as gender, age, or the like. Then, the process may proceed to a decision block 270.
In the block 270, the process may determine whether the available call minutes are zero or either part has disconnected the call. Upon negative answer to the decision block 270, the process may proceed to the state 266. Otherwise, the process may proceed to a state 272. In the state 272, the VAS 110 may send CALL_DETAIL_RECORD (CDR) and other information to the BAS 112. The CALL_DETAIL_RECORD may include information related to the call, such as time of the call, duration of the call, or the like. It is noted that the caller may earn credits for call minutes by listening to the commercial messages in the states 208, 242, and 250. The earned time may be added to the MAX_CALL_DURATION. In one exemplary embodiment, each call may be given a ‘fixed-time’ which gets added to the MAX_CALL_DURATION. If the parties hang-up in less than the ‘fixed-time’, the difference between the actual-time talked and the fixed time may be added to the MAX_CALL_DURATION. In another exemplary embodiment, if the earned time (earned by, such as, listening to commercials), is longer than the duration of the call, the leftover time may be rolled over for the next call, wherein the CALL_RECORD may include the leftover time information. Then, the process may proceed to the state 232 to disconnect the call.
In a state 302, a caller may lift a phone to call User IMVocal Service (or, equivalently, IMVocal server). In one exemplary embodiment, the caller or calling party may use a PSTN phone a VoIP based phone. Then, the VAS 110 may check whether the caller dialed the IMVocal number in a state 304. In one exemplary embodiment, the IMVocal number may be a toll free number. Upon positive answer to the state 304, the caller may be prompted to enter the extension of the receiver in a state 306 and subsequently the process may proceed to a state 314. For the purpose of illustration, the client 118a is assumed to be associated with the receiver's extension number. If the answer to the state 304 is negative, the process may proceed to a state 308.
In the state 308, the caller may dial the IMVocal number. Next, in a state 310, the VAS 110 may receive the call. Then, the VAS may prompt the caller to dial the receiver's extension in a state 312. Subsequently, the process may proceed to the decision diamond 304. The VAS may receive the extension and send relevant information, such as caller ID, extension, and transaction information, to BAS 112 in states 314 and 316. As discussed in conjunction with
In a state 322, the BAS 112 may receive the information from the VAS 110. Then, the BAS may verify that the extension exists in the database 114 and is associated with an internet ID of the receiver (or, internet user) in a state 324. Next, the BAS may send a call notification, via Instant Messenger or email, to the called party's internet ID (or, internet user's ID) in a state 326. Then, the process may proceed to a state 332.
As discussed in conjunction with
In the state 332, the receiver or internet user may receive the call notification on his/her internet ID, e.g., via Instant Messenger, email, or the like. Then, in a state 334, the internet user may click on the call notification, which is in the form of a URL in one exemplary embodiment. As the internet user clicks on the call notification, the internet communication software may send the BAS a click notification that the receiver clicked on the notification. The BAS 112 may receive the click notification in a state 328 and launch an IMVocal applet phone on the internet user's internet device, such as PC 118a, in a state 330. In one exemplary embodiment, the applet phone may run on a web browser opened by clicking the URL in the state 334. Then, the process may proceed to a state 336.
The internet phone may include, but not limited to, an applet that runs on the called party's internet device, such as 118a. For brevity, the terms internet phone is used interchangeably with the term phone applet hereinafter. In one exemplary embodiment, the internet phone may be displayed on a web browser of the called party's internet device along with scripts and/or other applets for advertisement, thereby allowing the IMVocal server 108 to generate cost-per-thousand impressions (CPM) based revenue. The internet phone may connect the internet user (or called party) to the incoming call via the network 102.
In the state 336, the IMVocal internet phone may be launched on called party's internet device 118a. Then, in a state 338, the internet phone may use the URL clicked by the internet user in the state 334 to know how to connect the internet user (more specifically, the internet device 118a of the internet user) to the caller. Subsequently, in a state 340, the internet phone may send the call details to the VAS with the call details, wherein the call details include, but is not limited to, the CALLID, Internet-User's ID, or the like. The IMVocal internet phone or phone applet may send at least one identifier that is unique to the incoming call so that the VAS 110 can understand which call the phone applet has be connected to. In one exemplary embodiment, the identifier may be the CALLID. The call details may also contain other optional information that may be useful for the VAS to provide new features.
In a state 318, the VAS may receive the call detail from the phone applet. Then, the VAS may join the calling party and called party, completing a call connection therebetween in a state 320. The call may be disconnected if the available call minutes are zero or either part has disconnected the call.
Once the call is over, the IMVocal server may play a message to the caller, providing an option to listen to local deals. If the caller accepts the option, the IMVocal server 108 may provide, based on information of the caller's location, information (or advertisements) of local shops near the caller, or information of events that the caller may be interested in. By playing the local deals or events information to the caller, the IMVocal server 108 may generate cost-per-lead and call-transfer apart from pay-per-click (PPC) based revenues. If the caller does not accept the option, the IMVocal server may end the call.
It will be appreciated by those of the ordinary skill that the illustrated process in the flow chart 300 may be modified in a variety of ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Also, as one of ordinary skill in the programming art can implement without undue experimentation the software program to execute the process steps of
In step 4, the IMVocal server 404 may notify the receiver of the call via a third-party Instant Messenger 408 that may run on a client device (such as one of the devices 118a-118c), wherein the client device may be connected to and communicate signals with the IMVocal server 404 via the internet 406. In one exemplary embodiment, a URL may be displayed on the Instant Messenger 408. Next, in step 5, the receiver may click on the URL. Subsequently, the IMVocal server 404 may be notified when the URL is clicked in step 6 and launch an IMVocal's phone applet 410 (or, shortly phone applet) on the client device in step 7. In one exemplary embodiment, the phone applet 410 may be included in a web page that is opened by clicking the URL in step 5. Then, in step 8, the phone applet 410 may make a connection back to the IMVocal server 404 with an appropriate parameters, such as CALLID. Next, the IMVocal server 404 may join both call legs so that a communication is established between the caller 402 and receiver in step 9.
While the invention has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the appended claims.
