IIHH
`
`TX»)AJJlj.TOAyH<>MfTlIi:SE PRESENTS; SIIAIilJ.COMl
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`September 30, 2021
`
`THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT ANNEXED HERETO IS A TRUE COPY FROM
`THE RECORDS OF THIS OFFICE OF:
`
`U.S. PATENT
`ISSUE DATE;
`
`10,142,810
`November 27, 2018
`
`By Authority of the
`Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property
`and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`|OLLEY
`tfficer
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 1
`
`

`

`Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllli
`US010142810B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Cheung et al.
`
`(io) Patent No.: US 10,142,810 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Nov. 27, 2018
`
`(54) METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE
`DIFFERENT OPTIONS OF
`COMMUNICATION USING ONE USER
`IDENTIFIER BASED ON INTERNET
`PROTOCOL
`
`(71) Applicant: Ip Venture, Inc., Los Altos, CA (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Kwok Wai Cheung, Tai Po (HK);
`Peter P. Tong, Mountain View, CA
`(US); C. Douglass Thomas, Saratoga,
`CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Ip Venture, Inc., San Jose, CA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis­
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 15/469,440
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 24, 2017
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2017/0201872 Al Jul. 13. 2017
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(63) Continuation of application No. 14/922,344, filed on
`Oct. 26, 2015, now Pat. No. 9,736,664, which is a
`(Continued)
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04M 3/42
`H04W4/14
`
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............... H04W 4/14 (2013.01); G06Q 10/10
`(2013.01); H04M 3/436 (2013.01);
`(Continued)
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ................ H04W 76/02; H04W 88/184; H04M
`1/72552; H04M 3/42059
`(Continued)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,425,516 A
`5,548,636 A
`
`6/1995 Daines
`8/1996 Bannister et al.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`W
`11/2003
`1453981
`WO WO 01/45343 A2 6 2001
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Jlotice of Allowance for U.S. Appl, Jlo. 12/798,995 dated Sep. 29,
`2011.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Kiet M Doan
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Computer-implemented systems and methods to manage
`electronic communications are disclosed. In one embodi­
`ment, an apparatus, using at least a network-based portal
`based on Internet protocol, receives a message with a user
`identifier from a person’s wireless device; receives a com­
`munication option from the person based on options pro­
`vided to the person, with all the options using the user
`identifier, in view of the portal being based on the Internet
`protocol; permits the user to block the person from accessing
`the user; enables the message to be received by the user if
`the person is not blocked by the user; and determines user
`availability to receive the message. In the embodiment, the
`apparatus requires user contact information for the user to
`receive messages, with the user contact information not
`provided to the person, and with the user contact information
`being distinct from the user identifier.
`
`20 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 2
`
`

`

`US 10,142,810 B2
`Page 2
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`continuation of application No. 14/272,632, filed on
`May 8, 2014, now Pat. No. 9,204,268, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/798,995, filed on
`Apr. 14, 2010, now Pat. No. 8,744,407, which is a
`continuation of application No. 11/452,115, filed on
`Jun. 12, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,759,688, which is a
`continuation-in-part of application No. 11/006,343,
`filed on Dec. 7, 2004, now Pat. No. 7,116,976.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/527,565, filed on Dec.
`8, 2003, provisional application No. 60/689,686, filed
`on Jun. 10, 2005.
`
`(2012.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2009.01)
`(2009.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G06Q 10/10
`H04M 3/436
`H04W 4/16
`H04W 4/12
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ... ........ H04M 3/4365 (2013.01); H04W 4/12
`(2013.01); H04W4/16 (201.3.01); H04M
`2201/60 (2013.01); H04M 2203/2011
`(2013.01); H04M 2203/651 (2013.01); H04M
`2207/18 (2013.01)
`
`( 58) Field of Classification Search
`USPC ... 455/466, 456.1, 414.1, 557, 426.1, 435.1,
`455/424, 455, 423, 39, 417; 379/88.04,
`379/268, 88.25, 210.01; 340/7.22, 7.42;
`709/206, 247; 704/235
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,610,970 A *
`
`5,752,191 A *
`
`5,758,079 A
`5,828,731 A
`5,930,700 A *
`
`5,970,388 A
`6,119,022 A
`6,327,628 Bl
`6,359,982 Bl
`6,463,462 Bl
`6,577,859 Bl
`6,636,888 Bl
`6,665,534 Bl
`6,788,766 B2
`6,801,793 Bl
`6,816,578 Bl
`6,819,757 Bl
`6,819,945 Bl
`6,978,136 B2
`7,010,288 B2
`7,010,332 Bl
`7,027,842 B2
`7,043,261 B2
`7,072,452 Bl
`7,085,253 B2
`7,107,010 B2
`7,110,963 B2
`7,111,044 B2
`7,116,976 B2
`7,188,073 Bl
`7,224,775 Bl
`7,317,706 Bl *
`
`3/1997 Fuller ............... ... H04M 1/006
`379/207.03
`5/1998 Fuller ............... ... H04M 1/006
`455/445
`
`5/1998 Ludwig et al.
`10/1998 Szlam et al.
`7/1999 Pepper ............... ... H04M 1/663
`379/211.02
`
`10/1999 Will
`9/2000 Osborn et al.
`12/2001 Anuff et al.
`3/2002 Szlam et al.
`10/2002 Smith et al.
`6/2003 Zahavi et al.
`10/2003 Bookspan et al.
`12/2003 Conklin et al.
`9/2004 Logan
`10/2004 Aarnio et al.
`11/2004 Kredo et al.
`11/2004 Cook et al.
`11/2004 Chow et al.
`12/2005 Jenniges et al.
`3/2006 Brown et al.
`3/2006 Irvin et al.
`4/2006 Zhang et al.
`5/2006 Krishnan
`7/2006 Roberts et al.
`8/2006 Yang
`9/2006 Heinonen et al.
`9/2006 Negreiro
`9/2006 Lee
`10/2006 Thomas et al.
`3/2007 Tam et al.
`5/2007 Shaffer et al.
`1/2008 Hao ................. H04W 72/1242
`370/329
`
`3/2008 Eichstaedt ............ . G06F 9/542
`7,346,630 B2*
`5/2008 Thomas et al.
`7,376,434 B2
`7/2008 Lau et al.
`7,403,972 Bl
`6/2010 Cheung et al.
`7,729,688 B2
`9/2010 Thomas et al.
`7,792,552 B2
`2/2011 Thomas et al.
`7,890,128 Bl
`2/2012 Thomas et al.
`8,112,104 Bl
`10/2012 Thomas et al.
`8,280.419 Bl
`3/2013 Jackson et al.
`8,391,459 B2
`4/2013 Wu et al.
`8,429,231 B2
`5/2014 Thomas et al.
`8,737,978 Bl
`12/2015 Cheung et al.
`9,204,268 B2
`2001/0011014 Al
`8/2001 Higuchi et al.
`2001/0014611 Al
`8/2001 Dufort
`10/2001 Makela et al.
`2001/0028709 Al
`10'2001 Tuomela et al.
`2001/0031633 Al
`6/2002 Rodriguez et al.
`2002/0067806 Al
`6/2002 Widger et al.
`2002/0073207 Al
`7/2002 August
`2002/0094067 Al
`10/2002 Rutledge et al.
`2002/0142756 Al
`2/2003 Luehrig et al.
`2003/0039339 Al
`2/2003 Balasuriya
`2003/0041048 Al
`4/200.3 Malik
`2003/0065779 Al
`6/2003 Potter
`2003/0103600 Al
`6/2003 Thorsteinsson et al.
`2003/0105854 Al
`6/2003 Brown et al.
`2003/0112948 Al
`2003/0129968 Al
`7/2003 Earl
`10/2003 Templeton
`2003/0191676 Al
`2003/0191814 Al
`10/2003 Tran
`12/2003 Jang et al.
`2003/0232629 Al
`2/2004 Austin et al.
`2004/0024882 Al
`4/2004 Le et al.
`2004/0072585 Al
`6/2004 Kirkland
`2004/0122979 Al
`10/2004 Ross et al.
`2004/0203919 Al
`12/2004 Bear et al.
`2004/0240650 Al
`2004/0248596 Al* 12/2004 Panchai ................ . H04W4/06
`455/466
`
`2005/0020288 Al
`2005/0027385 Al
`2005/0037785 Al
`2005/0038690 Al
`2005/0071253 Al
`2005/0107130 Al
`2005/0136955 Al
`2005/0191994 Al
`2005/0192061 Al
`2005/0273327 Al
`2006/000.3803 Al
`2006/0075038 Al
`2006/0239419 Al
`2006/0259565 Al
`2006/0276210 Al
`2006/0288099 Al
`2007/0005368 Al
`2007/0047522 Al
`2007/0238474 Al
`2008/0261636 Al
`2010/0114958 Al
`2010/0205272 Al
`2011/0151582 Al*
`
`2011/0151852 Al
`2014/0242956 Al
`2014/0256293 Al
`2016/0044474 Al
`2018/0014169 Al
`
`1/2005 Davis
`2/2005 Yuch
`2/2005 Chen
`2/2005 Hayes-Roth
`3/2005 Yang
`5/2005 Peterson, II
`6/2005 Mumick et al.
`9/2005 May et al.
`9/2005 May et al.
`12/2005 Krishnan
`1/2006 Thomas et al.
`4/2006 Mason et al.
`10/2006 Joseph et al.
`11/2006 Cheung et al.
`12/2006 Thomas et al.
`12/2006 Jefferson et al.
`1/2007 Chutorash et al.
`3/2007 Jefferson et al.
`10/2007 Ballas
`10/2008 Lau et al.
`5/2010 Koren shtein
`8/2010 Cheung et al.
`6/2011 Basile .................. GOIN 33/585
`436/501
`
`6/2011 Olincy et al.
`8/2014 Cheung et al.
`9/2014 Thomas et al.
`2/2016 Cheung et al.
`1/2018 Cheung et al.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 12/798,995 dated Jan. 3,
`2012.
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. Nd. 12/798,995, dated Oct. 3,
`2012.
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. Nd. 12/798,995, dated Oct. 30,
`2013.
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 12/798,995, dated Feb. 20,
`2014.
`Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/272,632, dated Jul. 27, 2015.
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 3
`
`

`

`US 10,142,810 B2
`Page 3
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 14/272,632, dated Sep. 18,
`2015.
`Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/922,344, dated Apr. 27, 2016.
`Office Action for U.S. Appl. No. 14/922,344, dated Oct. 7, 2016.
`First Office Action for CN Patent Application No. 200680027964.9,
`dated Mar. 26, 2010 (17 pages).
`Second Office Action for CN Patent Application No. 200680027964.
`9, dated Oct. 25, 2010 (14 pages).
`Third Office Action for CN Patent Application No. 200680027964.
`9, dated Apr. 8, 2011 (11 pages).
`Notice of Rejection for CN Patent Application No. 200680027964.
`9, dated Jan. 6, 2012 (11 pgs.).
`“Company Overview”, http://www.fastmobile.com/company_overview.
`html, downloaded Nov. 5, 2003, p. 1.
`“Introducing the Tellme Voice Application Network”, Tellme, http://
`www.tellme.com/products/, downloaded Oct. 2, 2003, p. 1.
`“iotum History,” Lotum Corp., http://iotum.com/simplyrelevant/
`2006/04/03/iotum-history/, downloaded May 15, 2006, pp. 1-4.
`“messaging”, Vodafone Group, 2001, http:www.vodafone.co.nz/
`business/10.2.3_messaging.jsp, downloaded Oct. 14, 2003, pp. 1-2.
`“Microsoft Windows Messenger: Go Beyond Text with Voice &
`Video Chats”, Dell Inc., http://www.dell.com/us/en/dhs/topics/
`segtopic_002_xp_im.htm, downloaded Oct. 2, 2003, pp. 1-2.
`“MicrosoftWindows Messenger: Instantly Communicate with Fam­
`ily and Friends Messenger”, Dell Inc., http://www.dell.com/us/en/
`dhs/topics/segtopic_00 l_xp_im.htm, downloaded Oct. 2, 2003, pp.
`1-3.
`“Our Solution,” Lotum Corp., http://www.iotum.com/our_solution.
`php, downloaded May 15, 2006, pp. 1-2.
`Short Message Service/Interactive Voice Response (SMS/IVR),
`Lucent Technologies, 2003, pp. 1-2.
`“text messaging”, Vodafone Group, 2001, Vodafone—Services,
`“All about text messaging”, http://www.vodafone.co.nz/services/07.
`a.l_two_way_messaging.jsp?hd=4yourbusiness& . .., downloaded
`Oct. 14, 2003, pp. 1-2.
`“We bring relevance to communications,” Cnet News, Ina Fried,
`Jul. 21, 2005, pp. 1-2.
`Appenzeller, et al., “The Mobile People Architecture”, Technical
`Report: CSL-TR-00000, Computer Systems Laboratory, Depart­
`ments of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Stanford
`University, Jan. 1999, pp. 1-13.
`BlackBerry, “Voice and SMS”, http://www.blackberry.com/products/
`service/voices_sms.shtml?DCPID=hmsvoice downloaded Oct. 2,
`2003, p. 1.
`Calsyn, Martin and Desseault, Lisa, “Presence Information Protocol
`Requirements,” Internet Draft, Feb. 9, 1998, pp. 1-27.
`Emergin Inc., “Emergin WirelessOffice 5.0”, http://www.emergin.
`com/?source=overture, downloaded Oct. 2, 2003, p. 1.
`fastmobile Inc., “Dialog GSM launches Push ‘n’ Talk walkie talkie
`service Push to Talk over Cellular Now in Sri Lanka Dialog GSM
`Pioneers Latest GSM Advancement”, Press Release, Dec. 1, 2004,
`pp. 1-2.
`fastmobile, “fastmobile’s fastchat™ Instant Communications Appli­
`cation is Coming to Thousands of Mobile Phone Retail Stores
`Nationwide”, fastmobile Press Release, Sep. 15, 2003, pp. 1-3.
`
`IMBOT, Press Release, “IMBOT offers new Text 2 Voice Service
`Text 2 Voice service enables wireless customers to send voice
`messages from 2-Way devices”, Oct. 29, 2001, pp. 1-2.
`Internet Traveler, “Welcome to the Inter.Net Communicator Tour!”,
`http://www.inter.net/traveler/tour/communicator_messaging.php, down­
`loaded Oct. 14, 2003, p. 1.
`J. Rosenberg, H. Schulzrinne, Internet Draft, “SIP for Presence,”
`http: //www.alternic. org/ drafts/drafts-r-s/draft-ro senberg=sip-pip-00.
`txt, Nov. 13, 1998, Bell Laboratories, Columbia, pp. 1-31.
`Joseph, Anthony D. et al., “The Case for Services over Cascaded
`Networks”, EECS Department, CS Division, University of Califor­
`nia, Berkeley, http://iceberg.cs.berkeley.edu/, International Confer­
`ence on Wireless and Mobile Multimedia 1998, pp. 1-9.
`MobileShop, “SMS—also know as text messaging”, http://www.
`mobileshop.org/howitworks.sms.htm, downloaded Oct. 14, 2003,
`pp. 1-2.
`Schulzrinne, H. et al., RPID: Rich Presence Extensions to the
`Presence Information Data Format (PIDF), draft-ietf=simple-rpid-
`06.txt, Jun. 2, 2005, http://wwwl.ietf.org/mail-archive/web/simple/
`current/msg05398.html, downloaded Nov. 15, 2006, pp. 1-35.
`Schulzrinne, H. et al., RPID: Rich Presence Extensions to the
`Presence Information Data Format (PIDF), draft-ietf-simple-rpid-
`10.txt, Dec. 20, 2005, pp. 1-41.
`Schulzrinne, H. et al., RPID: Rich Presence Extensions to the
`Presence Information Data Format (PIDF), draft-ietf-simple-rpid-
`10.txt, Dec. 4, 2005, pp. 1-35.
`Sonim Technologies, Inc., “Integrated voice and text messanging
`over GPRS showcased jointly by Sonim, Symbian and Texas
`Instruments”, Sonim Press Release, Dec. 2, 2002, pp. 1-2.
`Symbian Ltd., “Symbian OS Version 7.0: Functional description”,
`Revision 1.5, Feb. 2003, pp. 1-24.
`Symbian Ltd., “Symbian OS Version 7.0s: Functional description”,
`Revision 2.1, Jun. 2003, pp. 1-29.
`Symbian Ltd., “Technology: Creating Symbian OS phones”, http://
`www.symbian.com/technology/create-symb-OS-phones.html, down­
`loaded Nov. 5, 2003, p. 1-8.
`Symbian Ltd., “Technology: Why is a different operating system
`needed”, http://www.symbian.com/technology/why-dift-os.html, down­
`loaded Nov. 5, 2003, pp. 1-5.
`Verizon Wireless, “TXT messaging”, http://www.vtext.com/customer_
`site/jsp/messaging_lo.jsp, downloaded Oct. 2, 2003, p. 1.
`W3C, Voice Extensible Markup Language (VoiceXML) Version
`2.0, W3C, www.w3.org, Feb. 20, 2003.
`Yahoo!Messenger, “Yahoo!Messenger Talk for Free!”, http://
`messenger.yahoo.com/messenger/help/voicechat.html, downloaded
`Oct. 2, 2003, pp. 1-2.
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 12/798,995, dated May 9,
`2012.
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 12/798,995, dated Jul. 16,
`2013.
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 14/922,344, dated Feb. 14,
`2017.
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 14/922,344, dated Mar. 6,
`2017.
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 15/704,181, dated Apr. 27,
`2018.
`Notice of Allowance for U.S. Appl. No. 15/704,181, dated Aug. 22,
`2018.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 2018
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`ICM
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`7
`8
`pT
`1Ö
`11
`12
`13
`14
`
`Mobile phone
`Office phone
`Home phone
`Mobile SMS pager from mobile phone or PDA
`Home, office SMS (to office/home PC)
`Mobile Online chat (to mobile phone or PDA)
`Home Online chat (Net Meeting, AOL, ICQ etc.)
`Voice mail with instant notification to mobile devices of the user
`Voice mail without notification to mobile devices
`Office fax
`Home fax
`Mobile Email (Blackberry etc.)
`Email
`User defined
`
`Default
`Voi ce mail
`Voice mail
`Voice mail
`Email
`Email
`Voi ce mail
`Voice mail
`
`Reject
`Email
`Reject
`
`Contactclass 1
`ContactClass2
`ContactCilass3
`CantactC!ass4
`ContactClass5
`ContactCi ass 6
`Contactclass?
`ContactClass8
`ContactC lass 9
`ContactClasslO
`
`FIGURE 1
`
`Kinship family members, love ones
`Relatives and friends
`Boss and VIP
`Colleagues
`Subordinates
`Business acquaintances
`VIP Clients
`Clients
`Secretary
`User defined
`
`FIGURE 2
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 2018
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`UrgClassl
`UrgClass2
`
`UrgClassS
`UrgClass4
`UrgClassS
`UrgClassfi
`UrgCIass7
`UrgClass8
`
`Life threatening - interrupt at any time and occasion
`Urgent confirmed meeting reminder - interruption
`allowed
`Urgent matter requiring immediate attention
`Important matter requiring quick attention
`Regular work related matter
`Casual contact
`Cold calls from unknown person
`User defined
`
`FIGURE 3
`
`MyBusy State!
`MyBusyState2
`MyBusySlale.t
`MyBusy Stated
`MyBusyStateö
`MyBusyStateö
`
`Important meeting
`Ordinary7 meeting
`Available
`Sleeping
`Resting
`User defined
`
`FIGURE 4
`
`ContactClass
`ContactCIass2
`
`UrgClass
`UrgClassl-3
`UrgClass4-6
`
`UrgCIass7-8
`
`My Busy State
`All
`MyBusy State I
`MyBusyState2-3
`My Busy Stated-5
`All
`
`ICM allowed
`All
`All
`All
`All
`ICM 13
`
`FIG Li RE 5
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 2018
`
`Sheet 3 of 9
`
`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 2018
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 2018
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`312
`
`314
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 2018
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`FIG. 9
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 2018
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 11
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 2018
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`606
`
`FIG. 11
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 12
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 27, 2018
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`PROMPT FOR AUDIO MESSAGE
`
`CONVERT THE AUDIO MESSAGE
`TO A TEXT MESSAGE
`
`TRANSMIT THE TEXT MESSAGE
`OVER A WIRELESS NETWORK
`
`712
`
`FIG. 12
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 13
`
`

`

`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND APPARATUS TO MANAGE
`DIFFERENT OPTIONS OF
`COMMUNICATION USING ONE USER
`IDENTIFIER BASED ON INTERNET
`PROTOCOL
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`Ulis application is a continuation of U.S. patent applica­
`tion Ser. No. 14/922.344. filed Oct. 26, 2015, now U.S. Pat.
`No. 9,736,664, which is hereby incorporated herein by
`reference, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 14/272,632, filed May 8, 2014, now
`U.S. Pat. No. 9,204,268, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND
`PROCESSES TO MANAGE MULTIPLE MODES OF
`COMMUNICATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein
`by reference, which application is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 12/798,995, filed Apr. 14, 2010,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 8,744,407, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND
`PROCESSES TO MANAGE MULTIPLE MODES OF
`COMMUNICATION,” which is hereby incorporated herein
`by reference, which application is a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 11/452,115, filed Jun. 12, 2006,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 7,729,688, and entitled “SYSTEMS AND
`PROCESSES TO MANAGE MULTIPLE MODES OF
`COMMUNICATION”, which is hereby incorporated herein
`by reference, which application is a continuation-in-part
`application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/006,343,
`filed Dec. 7, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,116,976, and entitled
`“ADAPTABLE COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR
`ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” which is hereby incorporated
`herein by reference, which claims priority to U.S. Provi­
`sional Patent Application No. 60/527,565, filed Dec. 8,
`2003, entitled “ADAPTABLE COMMUNICATION TECH­
`NIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” and which is
`hereby incorporated herein by reference.
`Ulis application, by way of U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 11/452,115, also claims priority to U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application No. 60/689,686, filed Jun. 10, 2005,
`entitled “SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES TO MANAGE
`MULTIPLE MODES OF COMMUNICATION,” and which
`is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`For many years, other than mails from post offices, we
`typically only received information from afar through tele­
`phones. However, in the past few years, ways that others can
`send us information have increased significantly. Just to list
`a few different modes of communication, we can be reached
`from standard desk phones, fax, cell phones, electronic
`mails, and instant messages. In addition, we can have more
`than one phone number and multiple electronic mail
`addresses, liiere are people we like to communicate with,
`and there are those we prefer to avoid. Managing informa­
`tion from all such different modes can be quite time con­
`suming.
`It should be apparent from the foregoing that there is still
`a need to help manage the numerous modes of communi­
`cation.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`Different embodiments of a computer-implemented sys­
`tem and method to manage the communication of a user are
`disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus, using at least a
`
`2
`network-based portal based on Internet protocol, could pro­
`vide a number of communication options to a first user, with
`all the options using an identifier associated with a second
`user for the second user to receive messages via an elec­
`tronic device associated with the second user, the options
`including text messaging, voice communication, multimedia
`messaging, and group messaging; could receive an indica­
`tion from the first user via an electronic device associated
`with the first user, indicating the selection of a communi­
`cation option for a message for the second user; could pennit
`the second user to block the first user from accessing the
`second user; and could determine availability of the second
`user to receive the message. In the embodiment, the appa­
`ratus could require contact information associated with the
`second user to allow the second user to receive messages via
`the network-based portal, with the contact information asso­
`ciated with the second user not provided to the first user via
`the electronic device associated with the first user, even
`when the message is received by the second user via the
`electronic device associated with the second user, and with
`the contact information associated with the second user
`being distinct from the identifier associated with the second
`user.
`A person tries to electronically convey a message to the
`user. In one embodiment, the status of the user is identified;
`the identity of the person is identified; the urgency of the
`message is identified; the access priority of the person is
`determined based on the person’s identity; and a process is
`set to manage the message using one or more rules, and in
`view of the status of the user, the access priority of the
`person and the urgency of the message.
`Based on different embodiments, the status of the user
`depends on the current activity or location of the user, or the
`current time. The status of the user can also be defined by the
`user. Similarly, the access priority of the person can be
`defined by the user, or is set depending on the user’s reaction
`towards a prior message from the person. Also, the urgency
`of the message is set by the person.
`The process can depend on the mode of communication of
`the message. For example, the mode of communication can
`include a mobile phone, an office phone, a home phone, a
`mobile SMS, a pager from a mobile phone or PDA, a
`home/office SMS, mobile online chat, home online chat, a
`voice mail with/without instant notification, an office fax, a
`home fax, a mobile email, and an email.
`In one embodiment, the user receives the message
`through a handheld device, such as a cellular phone. In
`another embodiment, the message is electronically conveyed
`based on Internet protocol through a website.
`In one embodiment, though the process allows the user to
`receive the message, the person is not aware of the contact
`information of the user. For example, the person is not aware
`of the phone number of the cellular phone that the user used
`to talk to the person. This prevents the person from directly
`accessing the user without going through an intermediate
`control, such as a website. Similarly, the user does not have
`to be aware of the contact information of the person
`In another embodiment, the defined access priority of the
`person is stored at a website, allowing the website to access
`such information without asking for the user’s permission.
`In one embodiment, the defined access priority is stored in
`a private database under the user’s control.
`In one embodiment, text messages could be received in an
`audio manner, and audio messages could be sent as text
`messages.
`Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
`become apparent from the following detailed description,
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 14
`
`

`

`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`3
`which, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
`drawings, illustrates by way of example the principles of the
`invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 shows a number of intelligent communication
`modes according to one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 2 shows a number of contact classes according to
`one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 3 shows a number of urgency classes according to
`one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 4 shows a number of statuses of a user according to
`one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of an example of an
`Access Priority Database according to one embodiment of
`the invention.
`FIG. 6 is a communication system according to one
`embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a personal call response
`process according to one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 8 is a flow diagram of an audio message response
`process according to one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 9 is a flow diagram of a text message response
`process according to one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of an automated call response
`process according to one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 11 is a flow diagram of a message presentation
`process according to one embodiment of the invention.
`FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a message presentation
`process according to one embodiment of the invention.
`Same numerals in FIGS. 1-12 are assigned to similar
`elements in all the figures. Embodiments of the invention are
`discussed below with reference to FIGS. 1-12. However,
`those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
`detailed description given herein with respect to these fig­
`ures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends
`beyond these limited embodiments.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`One embodiment of the invention can automatically
`remove unwanted communications. Certain conununica­
`tions are relatively easy to determine to be unwanted, such
`as marketing cold calls and wrong number calls. Other
`communications may be more difficult. They can depend not
`just on the sources of the conununication, but also the
`conditions or status of the receiver (a user) of the conunu­
`nication. The status can be related to the user’s current
`activity and/or location. For example, when the user is on a
`train going to work, the user probably does not mind
`chatting with his grandchild. However, if the user is having
`his yearly review meeting with his boss, the user probably
`would prefer to avoid the call from his grandchild, unless it
`is an emergency. Based on the embodiment, conununica­
`tions from sources the user wants to postpone receiving can
`be automatically diverted.
`In one embodiment, the user can get appropriate notifi­
`cation on the source of the incoming communication
`request. The attributes of the notification can depend on the
`urgency of the conununication and/or the status of the user
`The user may receive information from different modes of
`communication. For example, the user can have mobile
`phones, fixed lines at home or office, emails, SMS, and
`faxes, with their different numbers and/or addresses. One
`embodiment can help the user efficiently manage infonna-
`
`4
`tion from the different modes. The user only has to remem­
`ber one specific address from one mode of communication.
`Through that address, the user can receive conununications
`from all modes of conununication, independent of where the
`user is, or the type of hardware the user has. This allows the
`user to efficiently maintain lus conununication from the
`numerous modes even when he is traveling. For example,
`the user does not have to change phones (and the phone
`numbers) when he moves from areas covering 3G to areas
`that do not.
`A number of embodiments depend on the different modes
`of conununication converging onto the internet protocol
`platform. A conununication gateway or a portal is formed
`allowing the user to receive communications from numerous
`sources through different modes. This, in turn, could reduce
`the numerous addresses the user has to remember, to one
`address.. For example, an e-mail address for the user can
`serve as an access identifier for the different conununication
`addresses from different conununication modes. The access
`identifier can become the user’s digital identity. In one
`embodiment, the user’s other types of identification, such as
`the user’s driver licenser number, can be the user’s access
`identifier.
`One embodiment of the invention uses an open portal
`based on the web. Based on the portal, the user can securely
`determine who can reach him at what conditions. This can
`be done based on a status indicator. As an example, this
`indicator is determined according to the status of the user,
`the access priorities of the person trying to reach the user (or
`the relationship or the lack of relationship between the user
`and the person), and/or the urgency of the message from the
`person. The status of the user can be dynamically deter­
`mined, based on the current condition(s) of the user. The
`portal can allow the user and the person to select different
`options, which can be modified as desired. For example, the
`relationship can be preset by the user and stored in a
`database, while the urgency of the message can be set by the
`person.
`Thus, in one embodiment, the portal can be used to
`control the selection and setting of different intelligent
`conununication modes for the user. These intelligent com­
`munication modes allow priorities of various kinds of com­
`munication options to be set by the user. The portal allows
`worldwide access to the user, and can dynamically deter­
`mine, for example, whether a call initiated at different time
`by different callers should be accepted by the user in
`real-time or handled by other mechanisms. From this infor­
`mation, communication requests can be classified, for
`example, into different degrees of undesirability. Some
`requests can be automatically blocked from the user. Others
`can be diverted and handled by other mechanism, such as
`diverting a phone call to an email or voice mail.
`In one embodiment, the portal or gateway also includes a
`database to keep track of the user’s different contacts or
`acquaintances, and the access priorities of each contact. The
`user can modify information in the database, such as assign­
`ing and/or changing the priorities of the contacts. Based on
`the information (or lack of information) in the database of
`the contact trying to access the user, and based on the status
`of the user, the gateway can automatically select an intelli­
`gent mode of communication for the user. This selection can
`be done dynamically.
`In one embodiment, the portal can dynamically change
`the access priorities of a caller trying to reach the user. For
`example, previously the caller is of high priority to the user,
`and the user has set her access priorities accordingly. Lately,
`every time the caller trying to reach the user, the request was
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1001
`Page 15
`
`

`

`US 10,142,810 B2
`
`6
`default because it may not be necessary to default. For
`example, under ICM 8, the incoming message goes directly
`to voice mail with instant notification to mobile devices of
`the user. The incoming message can usually go to voice
`mail. There is no need to default.
`As a receiver of communication, the user can define a
`number of contact classes, as shown in FIG. 2. The user can
`set up a number of urgency classes, as shown in FIG. 3. The
`user can define a number of status, as shown in FIG. 4. Then,
`based on tables in FIGS. 1-4, the user can set up an Access
`Priority Database for different Contactclasses, as shown in
`FIG. 5.
`As another example, the user can categorize the following
`contacts into the corresponding Contactclasses:
`
`5
`denied. After a preset number of rejections, the portal can
`automatically send a message to the user, asking the user if
`the user would like to lower the access priority of the caller.
`If the response is affirmative, the caller’s priority is auto­
`matically reduced.
`In another embodiment, the user does not have to set
`priorities of each contact. The system monitors every call,
`and provides the contact’s identity to the user. Based on the
`user’s reaction to the call (e.g. accepting or rejecting it), the
`system automatically sets the contact’s priorities. In one
`embodiment, the system can then query the user for approval
`on the setting, and allow the user to adjust it as necessary. In
`another embodiment, the system can continue to modify the
`caller’s priorities based on the user’s reaction to the caller’s
`subsequent calls.
`In one embodiment, the user could keep information he
`believes to be sensitive local in a different database. Such
`information can be stored securely under the user’s direct
`control. The portal can retrieve information from the differ­
`ent database when required. In another embod