(12) United States Patent
`Aravamudan et al.
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US006301609Bl
`US 6,301,609 Bl
`Oct. 9, 2001
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) ASSIGNABLE ASSOCIATE PRIORITIES FOR
`USER-DEFINABLE INSTANT MESSAGING
`BUDDY GROUPS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Murali Aravamudan, Murray Hill;
`Robert F. Henrick, Basking Ridge;
`Rangamani Sundar, Freehold;
`Gregory James Xikes, Chatham, all of
`NJ (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill,
`NJ (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/391,937
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 8, 1999
`
`5,774,668 * 6/1998 Choquier et al. .................... 709/223
`5,796,633 * 8/1998 Burgess et al. ...................... 702/187
`5,826,269 * 10/1998 Hussey ................................... 707/10
`5,872,926 * 2/1999 Levac et al. ......................... 709/206
`5,884,032 * 3/1999 Bateman et al. ..................... 709/204
`5,924,116 * 7/1999 Aggarwal et al. ................... 711/122
`5,951,638 * 9/1999 Hoss et al. ........................... 709/206
`5,974,446 * 10/1999 Sonnenreich et al. ............... 709/204
`5,999,932 * 12/1999 Paul
`....................................... 707/10
`5,999,966 * 12/1999 McDougall et al. ................. 709/204
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner-Robert B. Harrell
`Assistant Examiner-William C. Vaughn, Jr.
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Guy H. Eriksen
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/142,597, filed on Jul. 7,
`1999, and provisional application No. 60/142,598, filed on
`Jul. 7, 1999.
`
`Int. Cl.7 ...................................................... G06F 15/16
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. .......................... 709/207; 709/204; 709/202;
`709/206; 707 /1
`(58) Field of Search ..................................... 709/206, 207,
`709/204, 202, 205; 707/1, 509, 513, 9,
`154
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,592,622 * 1/1997 Isfeld et al. .......................... 709/207
`
`A unified messaging solution and services platform is pro(cid:173)
`vided by utilizing the features and capabilities associated
`with instant messaging to locate a registered user, query the
`user for a proposed message disposition, and coordinate
`services among a plurality of communication devices,
`modes, and channels. A user proxy is registered to the user
`as a personal communication services platform. The user is
`able to define various rules for responding to received data
`and communications, the rules stored within a rules database
`servicing the communication services platform. Instant mes(cid:173)
`saging is used for communications between the user and the
`communication services platform's user proxy.
`
`12 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`COMMUNICATION SERVICES PLATFORM
`
`170
`
`PERSONAL
`DATA AND RULES
`
`168
`
`160
`
`164
`
`INFORMATION
`RETRIEVAL
`
`..... >~ ..................... .£.. _1_4_0_ .... .
`CLIENT ~ ~
`........ ~~---~·······
`144
`146 148 150
`
`Page 1 of 16
`
`Samsung Exhibit 1009
`
`

`

`FIG. 1
`
`INFORMATION
`RETRIEVAL
`
`COMMUNICATION SERVICES PLATFORM
`
`170
`
`OTHER
`DATA
`
`PERSONAL
`DATA AND RULES
`
`168
`
`166
`
`160
`
`SERVICES EXECUTIVE v 164
`
`NETWORK SERVICES INTERFACE
`
`162
`
`INSTANT MESSAGE
`SERVER
`
`d •
`rJJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`0
`I")
`t"""
`~~
`
`N c c
`""""
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`~ ......
`"""" 0 ......,
`
`00
`
`140
`••••
`......... ~ ..................... .£. .......... .
`
`.. f.i .. ~-~--··
`
`142
`
`144
`
`146 148 150
`
`e
`
`rJ'J.
`O'I
`~
`Q
`i,-
`O'I
`Q
`'° ~
`
`i,-
`
`Page 2 of 16
`
`

`

`FIG. 2
`
`COMMUNICATION SERVICES PLATFORM
`
`170
`
`OTHER
`DATA
`
`168
`
`166
`
`1
`
`I SERVICES
`EXECUTIVE .........-
`I NElWORK SERVICES INTERFAC;·~-~-~;·············")·······
`
`164
`
`INFORMATION
`RETRIEVAL
`
`160
`
`130
`
`INSTANT MESSAGE
`SERVER
`.
`I
`
`SERVICE PROVIDER
`
`f
`140
`........................................... ./". ..
`
`I
`= .. f ...•... ~-~---~--1
`
`142
`
`144
`
`146 148 150
`
`d •
`rJJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`0 p.
`
`:;O
`
`N c c
`""""
`
`'JJ. =(cid:173)~
`
`~
`N
`0 ......,
`00
`
`e
`
`rJ'J.
`O'I
`~
`Q
`
`i,-°' Q
`'° ~
`
`i,-
`
`Page 3 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 9, 2001
`Oct. 9, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 8
`Sheet 3 0f 8
`
`US 6,301,609 Bl
`US 6,301,609 B1
`
`(0
`CX)
`
`a..
`L3-U)
`'EE
`{/) ~
`r- ?t~
`an:
`{/) ~~
`{/) I
`<.!)
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`
`Page 4 of 16
`
`Page 4 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 9, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 8
`
`US 6,301,609 Bl
`
`FIG. 4
`
`202
`
`204
`
`206
`
`USER
`SELECTS
`SERVICE
`
`DOWNLOAD
`CLIENT
`S/W
`
`REGISTERS
`NAME AND
`PASSWORD
`
`208
`
`REGISTER ADDRESS
`AND ASSIGNS ID
`
`CSP
`
`SERVER -
`• ADDRESS
`• PASSWORD
`
`21 O
`
`212
`
`CSP CREATES
`PERSONAL DATABASE
`
`IM SERVER
`CSP -
`CREATE USER ACCOUNT
`
`214
`
`IM SERVER INITIATES
`BUDDY GROUP
`1.) CSP
`2.) USER
`
`216
`
`Page 5 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 9, 2001
`
`Sheet 5 of 8
`
`US 6,301,609 Bl
`
`FIG. 5
`
`230
`
`NO
`
`CLIENT s/w
`DETECTS
`CONNECTIVITY
`
`232
`
`IM SERVER
`CPE -
`, USER ON-LINE
`• USER ADDRESS
`
`CSP
`IM SERVER -
`, USER ON-LINE
`, USER ADDRESS
`
`CSP UPDATES DATABASE
`
`234
`
`236
`
`238
`
`YES
`
`CSP SESSION
`ENDS
`
`242
`
`CSP -
`
`IM SERVER -
`• INFORM USER
`
`USER
`
`244
`
`Page 6 of 16
`
`

`

`FIG. 6
`
`YES
`
`RETAIN STATUS
`AS ACTIVE
`
`262
`
`264
`
`NO
`
`CPE CLIENT
`SENDS
`INACTIVITY
`MESSAGE -
`CSP
`
`CSP REGISTERS
`USER AS INACTIVE
`
`266
`
`268
`
`FIG. 7
`
`IM SERVER
`POLLS CPE DEVICE
`
`/ / 280
`
`YES /
`
`IS POLL ""<
`
`282
`
`CSP 1 ,,- 284
`IM SERVER -
`• USER OFF-LINE
`
`CSP REGISTERS
`USER AS OFF-LINE
`
`286
`
`d •
`rJJ.
`•
`~
`~ ......
`~ = ......
`
`0
`I")
`!""'"
`~~
`
`N c c
`""""
`
`'JJ. =-~
`~ ......
`O'I
`0 ......,
`00
`
`e
`
`rJ'J.
`O'I
`~
`Q
`i,-
`O'I
`Q
`'° ~
`
`i,-
`
`Page 7 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 9, 2001
`
`Sheet 7 of 8
`
`US 6,301,609 Bl
`
`FIG. 8
`
`IMPORTANT EVENT
`RECEIVED AT CSP
`
`300
`
`NO
`
`CSP IM TO USER'S
`ON-LINE CPE
`
`306
`
`304
`
`NO
`
`FOLLOW RULE
`SET #1 FOR
`DISPOSITION
`
`NO
`
`FOLLOW USER
`INSTRUCTIONS FOR
`DISPOSITION
`
`310
`
`FOLLOW RULE
`SET #2 FOR
`DISPOSITION
`
`314
`
`FOLLOW RULE
`SET #3 FOR
`DISPOSITION
`
`316
`
`Page 8 of 16
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 9, 2001
`
`Sheet 8 of 8
`
`US 6,301,609 Bl
`
`FIG. 9
`
`USER CREATES BUDDY
`GROUP ASSOCIATE ATTRIBUTES
`
`330
`
`YES
`
`334
`
`BUDDY DISCERNS
`USER'S REAL
`IDENTITY
`
`YES
`
`YES
`
`348
`
`344
`
`PROXY
`ONLY
`
`NO
`
`BUDDY PRIORITY
`DEFINED AS HIGHEST
`
`USER UNAVAILABLE
`TO BUDDY
`
`338
`
`346
`
`340
`
`USER'S
`AVAILABILITY
`ADVERTISED
`
`YES
`
`CSP RULES
`DETERMINES
`ACTION
`
`350
`
`352
`
`354
`
`PROXY
`REGISTERED
`AS OFF-LINE
`
`USER'S
`AVAILABILITY
`ADVERTISED
`
`USER'S PROXY
`REGISTERED
`AS ON-LINE
`
`356
`
`OTHERS COMMUNICATE
`WITH CSP PROXY
`
`CSP ATTEMPTS TO
`LOCATE USER
`
`358
`
`360
`
`Page 9 of 16
`
`

`

`US 6,301,609 Bl
`
`1
`ASSIGNABLE ASSOCIATE PRIORITIES FOR
`USER-DEFINABLE INSTANT MESSAGING
`BUDDY GROUPS
`
`CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Application No. 60/142,597, filed on Jul. 7, 1999. This
`application is related to another U.S. Patent Application
`having a filing date of Sep. 8, 1999, which claims the benefit
`of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/142,598 filed on Jul.
`7, 1999, entitled "Communication Services Platform with
`Integrated Instant Messaging Capabilities" (Aravamudam
`15-4-1-1), and having common assignees.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to the use of instant mes(cid:173)
`saging in conjunction with access to data and communica(cid:173)
`tion network channels and modes.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`maintained for PSTN voice messages, wireless voice
`messages, e-mail messages. However, there is currently a
`remarkable flurry of interest and activity in providing a
`unified messaging solution, typically proposed as having a
`5 single storage repository or mailbox for a plurality of
`message/data modes and channels. Single number location
`solutions now provide users such services as notification
`when critical e-mail is received, text to speech conversion of
`e-mail when it is desired to receive a written e-mail over a
`10 user's wired or wireless phone, and the ability to aggregate
`incoming communications at a single location. These and
`other unified messaging solutions offer a user a powerful
`synergistic combination of communication convenience
`simplicity of use, services, and features. K;y in providin~
`15 such a unified messaging solution is the ability to locate a
`user, communicate from the service to the user, offer a
`selection of communication options to the user, and solicit
`responses from the user regarding those communication
`option choices. Unfortunately, a truly unified messaging
`20 solution which is able to accomplish each of these tasks,
`irrespective of the channel, mode, and CPE device which the
`user may be using, has not yet been fully realized.
`
`35
`
`Recent advances and developments in packet networks,
`consumer premises equipment, network servers, and client 25
`software provide a synergistic environment for the devel-
`opment of new communication modes and complexities.
`Packet networks, including private intranets and the Internet,
`are becoming ubiquitous features of the public and private
`telecommunications infrastructures. Client premises equip- 30
`ment includes such disparate device types as personal
`computers, cable modems, screen phones and personnel
`digital assistants, which singly and collectively enable a
`richer and more robust user interaction and interface via
`screens, input devices, and multimedia capabilities. E-mail
`is now a standard form of communication and information
`exchange. Telephony via the personal computer and shared
`collaboration are widely accepted and utilization of these
`modes are growing daily. A new form of communication,
`instant messaging, is also becoming prevalent as a private
`extension to chat groups and is in use by over ten million
`people today. Instant messaging allows end users to select
`"buddies" and assign these buddies to "buddy groups,"
`automatically register a person when on-line, advertise the
`user's selected buddies to the user when the selected buddies
`register on-line, advertise the user's presence on-line to
`others who have selected the user as a buddy, and participate
`in instant messaging communication between two on-line
`users.
`Many developers provide proprietary software for 50
`enabling instant messaging between on-line users, including
`but not limited to America Online, General Magic, Inc., and
`Mirabilis. Standards are currently being developed to
`develop a uniform protocol for packaging and transporting
`instant messages. Such standardization will only serve to act 55
`as a catalyst to spur greater instant messaging use, new
`standard network servers, and new and improved client
`software.
`Historically, each of the communication modes and chan(cid:173)
`nels have been disparate and disjoint in nature. For example, 60
`Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) voice commu(cid:173)
`nications were not compatible nor interconnected with
`e-mail communications, which in turn were not compatible
`nor interconnected with wireless communications.
`Typically, each separate communication or data channel and 65
`mode maintained its own client message/data storage and
`retrieval mechanism. For instance, separate mailboxes were
`
`40
`
`45
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A unified messaging solution and services platform is
`provided by utilizing the unique features and capabilities
`associated with existing and emerging instant messaging
`services and communication protocols to locate a registered
`user, query the user for a proposed message disposition or
`other action, and coordinate services among a plurality of
`communication devices, modes, and channels. A user proxy
`is registered to the user with an instant messaging system as
`a personal communication services platform. The user cre(cid:173)
`ates buddy groups and defines specific attributes to associ(cid:173)
`ates (buddies) included within each group. Included within
`each associate definition is a user-selected priority assign(cid:173)
`ment. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention
`allows selection of one of three priority assignments: low,
`high, and highest. If an associate is assigned a low priority
`by the user, the associate will never discern whether the user
`is online or oflline, instead the associate will always com(cid:173)
`municate and interact with the user via the user proxy. If
`however, the associate is assigned a high priority by the user,
`the associate will discern the users online status any time he
`is registered as online. Associates assigned the highest
`priority by the user, are able to interface with the user
`directly when the user is online, and interface with the user
`proxy when the user is oflline.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`A more complete understanding of the present invention
`may be obtained from consideration of the following
`description in conjunction with the drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
`architectural configuration for practicing the principles of
`the present invention, with a network service provider also
`providing instant messaging service;
`FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
`architectural configuration for practicing the principles of
`the present invention, with a service provider other than the
`network service provider offering instant messaging service;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
`method for implementing conversion at a gateway device;
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method utilized
`to provision a new user in accordance with the principles of
`the present invention;
`
`Page 10 of 16
`
`

`

`US 6,301,609 Bl
`
`3
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method utilized
`to communicate user's initial network use to the Commu(cid:173)
`nication Services Platform (CSP), in accordance with the
`principles of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method utilized 5
`to communicate to the Communication Services Platform
`( CSP), a user's inactivity while utilizing a client premises
`equipment (CPE) device registered as online, in accordance
`with the principles of the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method utilized 10
`to determine termination of a network session and update a
`Communication Services Platform (CSP) database, in accor(cid:173)
`dance with the principles of the present invention;
`FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method utilized 15
`to determine the disposition of data or communications by
`the Communication Services Platform (CSP), in accordance
`with the principles of the present invention; and
`FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for
`maintaining a continuous user network presence for defined 20
`buddies utilizing a Communication Services Platform (CSP)
`and instant messaging, in accordance with the principles of
`the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams illustrating exemplary
`architectural configurations for practicing the principles
`embodied in the present invention. A service provider 120
`provides client access to one or more networks for commu(cid:173)
`nication and data exchange via a plurality of client premises
`equipment (CPE) 140. For example, the CPE 140 may
`include, but is not limited to, a client's personal computer
`(PC) 142, wired telephone 144 or screen phone, wireless
`cellular phone 150 or screen phone, wireless or wired
`personal digital assistant (PDA) 146 or other data or com(cid:173)
`munication devices synchronized with a telephone or cellu(cid:173)
`lar phone, and/or a cable modem 148. The instant exemplary
`service provider 120 is shown providing both a Public
`Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) service and a packet(cid:173)
`based service, such as an Internet access service, to the
`subscribing client's CPE 140. Communications and data are
`bi-directionally exchanged between the client's CPE 140
`and the service provider via a PSTN switching module 124
`and/or a packet routing/switching module 122. CPE equip(cid:173)
`ment requiring a switched connection are typically con(cid:173)
`nected through PSTN switching module 124, whereas CPE
`equipment transmitting packetized bits are typically pro(cid:173)
`vided network access by the service provider 120 through
`packet routing/switching module 122. The service provider
`120, accesses the PSTN or Internet backbone for bidirec(cid:173)
`tional information delivery/retrieval 134 and communica(cid:173)
`tions transmission 132 for a plurality of clients' CPE.
`The service provider 120 may also provide means for
`converting received data and communication mode and
`channel, by utilizing a gateway 126. The gateway 126 is
`operable to convert digital bits representing a PSTN con(cid:173)
`nected communication, packetize that data, convert to an
`appropriate protocol stack to support routing transmission
`over a packet network, and then forward the converted
`packets over the packet network. Such multi-mode and
`multi-channel service provisioning is well known in the art
`and is quickly becoming a ubiquitous service in today's
`consumer marketplace. By way of example and referring
`now to FIG. 3, a block diagram is shown for implementing
`such a conversion utilizing an interpretive gateway device 65
`for the purpose of Internet Protocol (IP) telephony. A plu(cid:173)
`rality of circuit voice traffic connections 182 are conveyed
`
`4
`over the PSTN backbone 184 via regular PSTN circuit
`switches (not shown) and terminate their PSTN transmission
`at a Synchronous Transfer Mode (STM) switch 180. Sub(cid:173)
`sequent routing of this voice traffic is desired over the
`Internet backbone 192 to reach a desired destination.
`Conversion from circuit voice traffic to an IP format
`occurs at a gateway 186. Gateways utilized for IP telephony
`are alternatively well known in the art as Service Access
`Concentrators or Internet Telephony Gateways. Circuit
`networks, such as PSTN networks 184, typically use Sig(cid:173)
`naling System 7 (SS7) to communicate requests for connec(cid:173)
`tion set-up and teardown. IP endpoints and intermediate
`routers use ITU-T H.323 or Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)
`for session management. Therefore, gateway 186 uses a
`higher layer protocol to facilitate conversion in signaling
`mechanisms between the PSTN 184 and the IP network 192.
`In addition to conversion between circuit and IP formats,
`gateway 186 also provides voice compression, silence
`suppression, and other well-known functions needed on an
`application specific basis. The gateway then forwards the
`converted packets to an edge device IP router 188, for
`appropriate forwarding over one of the IP router ports 190,
`according to an internal routing algorithm or look-up table,
`and for transport over the Internet backbone 192 for delivery
`25 to the destination IP address.
`Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, a Communication
`Services Platform (CSP) 160 is interfaced to the multiple
`network modes and channels via the service provider 120
`through a service provider softswitch 128. A softswitch is a
`30 packet switch, well known in the art, which discerns net(cid:173)
`work topology and sets up connections in the IP domain and
`in the PSTN domain through IP to PSTN signaling ( e.g., SS7
`signaling). The softswitch 128 routes applicable inbound
`calls to the user's service and service platform. The CSP 160
`35 is a platform that is connected to the network with the ability
`to store and retrieve data from a database and process that
`data. One device on which a CSP 160 may be implemented
`is one or more workstations, although it would be apparent
`to those skilled in the art that any device having a data base
`40 adapted to store data in data fields and a microprocessor
`operable to retrieve, store, and operate on that data, could
`also be utilized. In one exemplary embodiment utilizing the
`principles comprising the present invention, the CSP 160 is
`owned and operated by the service provider 120. In an
`45 alternative embodiment, the CSP 160 is owned and operated
`by a third party to which the service provider has provi(cid:173)
`sioned access. The service provider provides the interface
`between multiple networks and the CSP 160, thus allowing
`a client to maintain a continuous and locatable presence
`50 reachable from multiple networks for a subscribing client
`and the client's CPE 140. The CSP also performs execution
`logic and maintains data and preferences for each subscrib(cid:173)
`ing client.
`An Instant Message (IM) system is utilized in conjunction
`55 with the architecture illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to provide
`new and useful features and services for a subscribing client.
`FIGS. 1 and 2 are differentiated in the manner in which
`Instant Messaging is implemented. FIG. 1 shows an Instant
`Message (IM) server 130 operated and controlled by the
`60 service provider 120 and interposed directly between the
`subscribing client's CPE 140 and the packet routing/
`switching module 122. The IM server 130 interfaces with
`the Communication Services Platform (CSP) 160 through
`the packet routing/switching module 122.
`FIG. 2 shows an IM server 130 outside of the service
`provider 120 domain. The IM server 130 interfaces with and
`services the client via the client's CPE 140 and the client's
`
`Page 11 of 16
`
`

`

`US 6,301,609 Bl
`
`5
`proxy presence within the Communication Services Plat(cid:173)
`form (CSP) 160 via a Services Executive 164. In the
`embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the IM server is a third
`party server, maintained and operated by a third party
`provider. The client is registered with both the third party 5
`provider for the Instant Message service and with the service
`provider 120 for data and communication access over mul(cid:173)
`tiple networks. The Instant Message (IM) server 130 may be
`implemented as a stand-alone service provided by the third
`party provider, or in the alternative, may be incorporated 10
`within the Communication Services Platform (CSP) 160, in
`which case a single third party provider provides the ser(cid:173)
`vices and features associated with both the CSP 160 and the
`IM server 130.
`Referring once more to both FIGS. 1 and 2, the Instant
`Message (IM) server 130 utilized is an industry standard IM
`server using standard IM server software. Although addi(cid:173)
`tional advantageous features and services are derivable from
`modest IM server modification, as is subsequently
`described, the principles of the present invention are enabled
`by combining the services and features of the standard IM
`server with the unique features and services provided by the
`Communication Services Platform (CSP) 160. The CSP 160
`is registered with the IM server as a "buddy" to the sub(cid:173)
`scribing client. In accordance with the principles of the
`present invention, the location of a subscribing client (that
`is, a client subscribing to both the IM service and the
`multiple network access provided by the service provider
`120) is located by the CSP 160, the CSP initiates commu(cid:173)
`nications to the subscribing client via instant messages, and
`the CSP solicits a response from the subscribing client.
`The Communication Services Platform (CSP) 160 inter(cid:173)
`faces with the multiple networks made accessible by the
`service provider 120 utilizing a network services interface
`162. The network services interface 162 is utilized to
`provide a signaling and transport interface with at least one
`of the networks accessible via the service provider soft(cid:173)
`switch 128. Typically, this interface utilizes packetized data
`bilaterally transmitted between the network services inter(cid:173)
`face 162 and the packet routing/switching module 122,
`although such an arrangement is not required. Alternatively,
`the network services interface 162 may access the PSTN
`switching module 124 directly; or the network services
`interface 162 may be utilized to provide a signaling and
`transport interface with both the packet routing/switching 45
`module 122 and the PSTN switching module. In the embodi(cid:173)
`ment in which the network services interface 162 directly
`interfaces with both the packet and PSTN networks, there is
`no need for signaling, conversion and transport across the
`packet and PSTN networks, therefore, the earlier described
`gateway 126 may be eliminated.
`A services executive 164 is bi-directionally interfaced
`with the network services interface 162. The services execu(cid:173)
`tive 164 constructs services by reacting to triggering events
`as they are detected by the network services interface 162.
`For example, say a client subscribing to the Communication
`Services Platform with Instant Messaging Service has an
`incoming voice call. The incoming call is directed to the
`client's Communication Services Platform. The services
`executive 164 directs the network as to how it should
`proceed with the voice call. The services executive 164
`maintains a plurality of rules and real term events which
`may, for example, direct the network services interface 162
`to complete the voice call to a particular phone number, or
`it may determine that the voice call should be directed to a
`particular e-mail address, or it may determine that the voice
`call should be placed on hold while attempts are made to
`
`6
`locate the present location and interface over which the
`client may be reached.
`Services logic 166 is bi-directionally interfaced with the
`services executive 164 and determines which services are
`performed by the services executive 164 for a particular
`triggering event detected by the network services interface
`162. That is, the services executive 164 is adapted to
`maintain the capability to perform various services and
`functions and the services logic 166 directs the services
`executive 164 as to which service or function to implement
`given a specific detected event. Together, the services logic
`and services executive are referred to as a services processor.
`The determinations made by the services logic 166 are made
`by referring to data bases 168, 170 which store a set of
`15 individual client data, rules, and personal preferences. The
`data bases 168, 170 are shown as divided into two specific
`databases; a personal data and rules database 170, and an
`other data database 170. The personal and rules database 168
`contains data pertaining to an individual client. Such data
`20 may include, but is not limited to, information and personal
`preferences such as: the client's phone numbers, the client's
`Internet addresses, the client's personally defined "buddy
`list", a personal definition of varying priority assigned to
`respective "buddies" included in the "buddy list", and key-
`25 words which if included in data, a message, or a commu(cid:173)
`nication determine the priority or importance of that data,
`message, or communication. The personal data and rules
`database 168 also maintains the online status and location of
`the client, if known. The other data database 170 includes
`30 support data for the Communication Services Platform 160
`and may include data associated with other "buddies".
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method utilized
`to provision a new user in accordance with the principles of
`the present invention. The three components provisioned are
`35 the user's client premises equipment (CPE), the Communi(cid:173)
`cation Services Platform (CSP), and the Instant Message
`(IM) server. In accordance with step 202, a prospective user
`first contacts the service provider to obtain integrated IM
`service. The user is prompted for and selects a password.
`40 The selected password is entered into the provisioning
`server database; either by a customer service representative
`or through any well-known automated user interactive inter(cid:173)
`face process. Other required administrative and account
`information is also exchanged at this time.
`In accordance with step 204, the user is provided with
`provisioning software for use with his CPE. The user installs
`the provisioning software onto his CPE device(s). The user
`connects and registers, via his CPE, to the provider's secure
`provisioning server by entering his selected password, when
`50 prompted, in accordance with step 206. The provisioning
`server, in accordance with step 208, registers the address of
`the user's Instant message server and provisions the client
`CPE software with a unique identification (ID). In accor(cid:173)
`dance with step 210, the provisioning server additionally
`55 conveys a copy of the user address and password to the
`Communication Services Platform (CSP). The CSP creates
`personal and administrative databases for the new user, in
`accordance with step 212. The CSP also conveys the unique
`ID created per step 208 to the IM server, creating a new IM
`60 account for the user in accordance with step 214. The IM
`server creates an initial buddy group for the user, which
`includes the user's CPE and CSP identity, in accordance
`with step 216.
`FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method utilized
`65 to communicate user's initial network use to the Commu(cid:173)
`nication Services Platform (CSP), in accordance with the
`principles of the present invention. In accordance with step
`
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`7
`230, assume that the user initially logs onto the network
`utilizing one of user's client premises equipment (CPE)
`devices. The client software installed on the accessing CPE
`device detects network connectivity, in accordance with step
`232. The client CPE software generates a message indicating 5
`user's online status and current user address, and in accor(cid:173)
`dance with step 234, conveys the message to the Instant
`Message (IM) server, indicating the user's online presence
`and address. For example, if the CPE device that a user is
`utilizing is a packet device, then the packet address to which 10
`the CPE device is attached is provided. Alternatively, if the
`CPE device is one which accesses a PSTN network, then the
`PSTN exchange number is provided. The IM server then
`notifies the CSP of the user's online presence and address,
`in accordance with step 236. The IM server also notifies 15
`selected buddies to the user of the users presence online. In
`step 238, the CSP updates the CSP database to indicate that
`the user is online, which CPE device the user is utilizing to
`access the network, and the address to which the CPE device
`is attached.
`Upon receiving notification of the user's presence online,
`the CSP checks for pending events, in accordance with step
`240. Pending events include any outstanding data,
`communication, or notification received and held in abey(cid:173)
`ance during that time period for which the user had been 25
`off-line or inactive. Examples of pending events may
`include, but are not limited to, e-mail messages, voice mail
`messages, a log of attempted call connections while off-line,
`status of selected buddies as identified by the user, delivery
`of webpages or other packetized information either specifi- 30
`cally requested by the user or returned as a result of
`predefined keyword search parameters, or communications
`with a proxy of the user (if enabled by the user). If the CSP
`has no pending events, then the CSP instant messaging
`session is terminated in accordance with step 242, but the 35
`user's online status is maintained by the CSP database and
`IM server. If the CSP does have pending events for the user,
`then the IM server sends an instant message communicating
`the event and eliciting a user response to the client CPE
`device, in accordance with step 244.
`FIG. 6 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method utilized
`to communicate to the Communication Services Platform
`( CSP) a user's inactivity while utilizing a client premises
`equipment (CPE) device registered as online, in accordance
`with the principles of the present invention. This feature may 45
`also be implemented in the client CPE software and is
`utilized to determine when the user is inactive for a prede(cid:173)
`termined period of time, and therefore possibly away from
`a CPE device which is registered as online. In step 260, the
`CPE device continuously monitors for user interaction with 50
`a user interface of the CPE device and relays changes in state
`with the server. Interaction with a CPE device may be
`detected via several alternative methods, such as detecting
`when a user is actively typing on a keyboard, or via a motion
`detector associated with a mobile device. If interactio