`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`
`September 30, 2021
`
`THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT ANNEXED IS A TRUE COPY FROM THE
`RECORDS OF THIS OFFICE OF THE FILE WRAPPER AND CONTENTS
`
`APPLICATION NUMBER: 11/452,115
`FILING DATE: June 12, 2006
`PATENT NUMBER: 7729688
`ISSUE DATE: June 01, 2010
`
`Certified by
`
`Performing the Functions and Duties of the
`Under Secretary of Commerce
`for Intellectual Property
`and Director of the United States
`Patent and Trademark Office
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`tnrwtnttnnmwnirtntutlfti'u
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`PTO/SB/05 (09-04)
`Approved for use through 07/31/2006. MB 0651-0032
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
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`IPVMCP02
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`UTILITY
`PATENT APPLICATION
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`Express Mail Label No.
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`ED 843 799 412 US
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`First Inventor
`
`Title
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`SYSTEMS AND PROCESSES TO MANAGE
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`ro
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`-trr
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`O
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`061206
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`ADDRESS TO:
`
`9.
`
`Commissioner for Patents
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria VA 22313-1450
`ACCOMPANYING APPLICATION PARTS 9
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`liffllllilllllllll
`11/402115
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`CO
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`APPLICATION ELEMENTS
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`6. | | Application Data Sheet See 37 CFR 1.76
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`specification following the title, or in an Application Data Sheet under 37 CFR 1.76:
` Divisional
`s Continuation-in-part (CIP)
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`of prior application No.: 11/006,343
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`Systems and Processes to Manage Multiple Modes of Communication
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`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
`
`[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Patent
`Application 11/006,343, filed December 7, 2004, and entitled “ADAPTABLE
`COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” which is hereby
`incorporated herein by reference, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 60/527,565, filed December 8, 2003, entitled “ADAPTABLE
`COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUES FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES,” and which is
`hereby incorporated herein by reference.
`
`[0002] This application also claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
`Application No. 60/689,686, filed June 10, 2005, entitled “SYSTEMS AND
`PROCESSES TO MANAGE MULTIPLE MODES OF COMMUNICATION,” and
`which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`[0003] For many years, other than mails from post offices, we typically only
`received information from afar through telephones. 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. There are people we like to
`communicate with, and there are those we prefer to avoid. Managing information from all
`such different modes can be quite time consuming.
`[0004] It should be apparent from the foregoing that there is still a need to help
`manage the numerous modes of communication.
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`[0005] Different embodiments of a computer-implemented system and method to
`manage the communication of a user are disclosed. 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.
`[0006] 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.
`[0007] 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.
`[0008] 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.
`[0009] 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.
`[00010] 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.
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`[00011 ] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
`from the following detailed description, which, when taken in conjunction with the
`accompanying drawings, illustrates by way of example the principles of the invention.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`[00012] Figure 1 shows a number of intelligent communication modes according
`to one embodiment of the invention.
`[00013] Figure 2 shows a number of contact classes according to one embodiment
`of the invention.
`Figure 3 shows a number of urgency classes according to one embodiment
`[00014]
`of the invention.
`[00015] Figure 4 shows a number of statuses of a user according to one
`embodiment of the invention.
`[00016] Figure 5 shows one embodiment of an example of an Access Priority
`Database according to one embodiment of the invention.
`[00017] Same numerals in Figures 1-5 are assigned to similar elements in all the
`figures. Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to Figures 1-5.
`However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given
`herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends
`beyond these limited embodiments.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`[00018] One embodiment of the invention can automatically remove unwanted
`communications. Certain communications 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 communication, but
`also the conditions or status of the receiver (a user) of the communication. 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, communications from sources the user wants to postpone receiving can
`be automatically diverted.
`[00019] In one embodiment, the user can get appropriate notification on the source
`of the incoming communication request. The attributes of the notification can depend on
`the urgency of the communication and/or the status of the user.
`[00020] 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 information from the different modes. The user only has to
`remember one specific address from one mode of communication. Through that address,
`the user can receive communications from all modes of communication, independent of
`where the user is, or the type of hardware the user has. This allows the user to efficiently
`maintain his communication 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
`[00021 ]
`communication converging onto the internet protocol platform. A communication
`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 communication addresses from
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`different communication 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.
`[00022] 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 determined, 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.
`[00023] Thus, in one embodiment, the portal can be used to control the selection
`and setting of different intelligent communication modes for the user. These intelligent
`communication modes allow priorities of various kinds of communication options to be
`set by the user. The portal allows worldwide access to the user, and can dynamically
`determine, 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
`information, 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.
`[00024] 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 assigning 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 intelligent mode of communication for the user.
`This selection can be done dynamically.
`[00025] In one embodiment, the portal can dynamically change the access
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`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 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 automatically reduced.
`[00026] 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.
`[00027] 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 different database when
`required. In another embodiment, the user can restrict or limit such retrieval process.
`[00028] Additional confidentiality can be provided. In one embodiment, using
`phone calls as an example, the user can be aware of the identity of the caller even without
`being informed of the number of the caller. Similarly, the caller can reach the user
`without being aware of the number of the phone the user is using to receive the call. The
`user can keep his location and/or status confidential but still can receive the
`communication. This can be useful because there are situations, for example, when the
`user does not want to disclose his contact information but the user needs to receive
`services provided by the caller.
`[00029] One approach to maintain such confidentiality while maintaining real-time
`communication is based on a system that digitally identifies the identities of the caller
`and the receiver. Note that the term caller is used in general. It is not just limited to phone
`calls, but they can be any person or entity requesting to communicate with the user, such
`as trying to send a message to the user. As a separate note, the caller can also be a user of
`different embodiments of the invention.
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`[00030] After determining the identities, the system can establish connections
`between the caller and the user in real time. Though contacts are established, the system
`only needs to ensure the identities of the caller and the user to each other. However, the
`system does not have to disclose the phone numbers, electronic addresses, physical
`locations and/or other attributes of the caller and the user to each other. In one
`embodiment, real time implies that the time required for the identification is similar to the
`typical time required to set up, for example, a telephone call. The system can be a portal
`based on the web.
`[00031] In one embodiment, a portal also holds the user’s electronic calendar. The
`calendar can be programmable, with entries set by the user. The portal can automatically
`and securely set appointments for the user since the portal knows the identity of the caller,
`and the status and schedule of the user. For example, the appointment can be for a
`conference call.
`[00032] To illustrate, in one embodiment, a portal provides a number of intelligent
`communication modes (ICM) for the user to select as shown in Figure 1. There are three
`columns in the table. If the communication mode selected in the second column does not
`work, the portal automatically defaults to the corresponding approach in the third column.
`For example, under ICM 1, if the mobile phone is busy, default to voice mail. Some of
`the selections do not have any 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.
`[00033] As a receiver of communication, the user can define a number of contact
`classes, as shown in Figure 2. The user can set up a number of urgency classes, as shown
`in Figure 3. The user can define a number of status, as shown in Figure 4. Then, based on
`tables in Figures 1-4, the user can set up an Access Priority Database for different
`Contactclasses, as shown in Figure 5.
`[00034] As another example, the user can categorize the following contacts into
`the corresponding Contactclasses:
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`Alice (Wife)
`Peter (Close Friend)
`Colina (Close Friend’s wife)
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`ContactClass 1
`ContactClass2
`ContactClass2
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`[00035] Peter wants to make a mobile phone call to the user. In one embodiment,
`Peter calls a portal. As an example, the portal can be the user’s ISP. The portal first
`verifies the caller’s identity to be Peter. This can be done, for example, by a public key
`challenge based on Peter having a public key digital certificate. In another example, Peter
`is also a registered user of the portal. Then, Peter’s identity can be more readily identified
`or verified.
`[00036] In one embodiment, after verification, a virtual address/number for the
`communication session is created allowing Peter to reach the user, which can be by phone.
`The user’s phone number does not have to be disclosed to Peter. Similarly, Peter’s mobile
`phone number does not have to be disclosed to the user. The portal can assure the user
`that the person calling is Peter based on an identification verification process, such as
`ones described above.
`[00037] In establishing contact, the portal can access the user’s database and
`determine that Peter belongs to ContactClass2. The database can, for example, be in the
`portal.
`[00038] In another embodiment, the database is in a personal communication
`device of the user. The portal accesses the personal communication device to determine
`Peter’s ContactClass.
`[ 0039] Based on the ContactClass information, the status of the user and Peter’s
`urgency setting, the user may receive Peter’s call directly. As another example, Peter may
`be asked to leave a voice mail to the user, while the user is notified by a mobile short
`message regarding an incoming call from Peter.
`0040] As additional examples, in one embodiment, location information of the
`user could be determined based on GPS information from, for example, the user’s cell
`phone.
`[00041] In one embodiment, the user receives messages through a handheld device,
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`such as a phone, and the phone has a switch. The switch can be a physical button or a
`software setting, such as a pull-down menu. The user could set his status dynamically by
`changing the physical or logical position of the switch. For example, one position can
`indicate that the user is very busy, and should only be interrupted by an urgent message
`from the user’s closest contacts, such as his wife or parents. Another position can indicate
`that the user’s status allows the user to receive any messages from anyone.
`[00042] As explained above, based on an embodiment, a message is electronically
`conveyed by a central network server, such as a web server based on Internet protocol. A
`portal or gateway approach could provide general Internet access to one or more
`embodiments of the communication management systems so that users can configure the
`system behavior they desire. The portal or gateway can then facilitate download of a
`database or update thereto to a communication device, such as a phone.
`[00043] Also, as explained above, based on an embodiment, a user could
`efficiently maintain his communication, and does not even have to change phones when
`he moves from areas covering 3G to areas that do not. These phones could be based on
`different communication mechanisms, such as GSM, CDMA, 3G and 4G systems. Also
`as explained above, the user could keep information in local databases, such as in such a
`phone. For example, the intelligent communication modes shown in Figure 1 for the user
`to select are in the phone. The user could define the contact classes, such as the ones
`shown in Figure 2; set up the urgency classes, such as the ones shown in Figure 3; define
`the statuses, such as the ones shown in Figure 4; set up the Access Priority Database, such
`as the one shown in Figure 5; and categorize a number of the user’s contacts into the
`corresponding Contactclasses, all in the phone. When a caller places a call to the phone,
`based on information previously set in the phone and based on the urgency class selected
`by the caller, the phone could automatically manage the communication. Note that the
`phone does not have to be a cellular phone. In one embodiment, the phone is a desk top
`phone.
`[00044] Again as explained above, the person or the caller trying to contact the
`user could select different options. For example, the urgency of the message can be set by
`the caller. This selection is typically in the call setup phase. In one embodiment, the caller
`has pre-selected the urgency class before making the call. In another embodiment, if the
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`caller has not selected the urgency class, the system could prompt the caller to input an
`urgency class or status before the call or message is routed to the user. In yet another
`embodiment, different urgency classes could be defined by the caller.
`[00045] Further, the computer-implemented methods and systems discussed above
`can be used in conjunction with one or more of the various approaches discussed in U.S.
`Patent Application 11/006,343. For example, the automated actions or decisions (e.g.,
`intelligent secretary, decision 204 in FIG 2, etc.) of U.S. Patent Application 11/006,343
`can be automatically made by the systems/methods described above. Still further, the
`various approaches discussed in U.S. Patent Application 11/006,343 can be used in
`conjunction with one or more the various methods/systems discussed above. For
`example, the systems/methods described above can use the messaging approaches (e.g.,
`audio or textual messages) described in U.S. Patent Application 11/006,343.
`Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the
`[00046]
`art from a consideration of this specification or practice of the invention disclosed herein.
`It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with
`the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims.
`
`What is claimed is:
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`CLAIMS
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`A computer-implemented method to manage the communication of a user in view
`1.
`of a person trying to electronically convey a message to the user, the method comprising:
`identifying the status of the user;
`identifying the identity of the person;
`identifying the urgency of the message;
`determining the access priority of the person based on the person’s identity; and
`setting a process 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.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the status of the
`2.
`user depends on the current activity or location of the user, or the current time, or the
`status of the user is defined by the user.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the access
`3.
`priority of the person is defined by the user, or is set depending on the user’s reaction
`towards a prior message from the person.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the urgency of the
`4.
`message is set by the person.
`
`5.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1,
`wherein the method depends on the mode of communication of the message, and
`wherein the mode of communication is selected from the list of a mobile phone,
`an office phone, a home phone, a mobile SMS from a mobile phone or PDA, 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.
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`6.
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`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1,
`wherein the user receives the message through a handheld device, and
`wherein the status of the user is defined by the user using the handheld device.
`
`7.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1,
`wherein the message is electronically conveyed based on Internet protocol
`through a website, and
`wherein though the method allows the user to receive the message, the person is
`not aware of the contact information of the user to prevent the person from directly
`accessing the user without going through the website, or the user is not aware of the
`contact information of the person to prevent the user from directly accessing the person
`without going through the website.
`
`8.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1,
`wherein the message is electronically conveyed based on Internet protocol
`through a website, and
`wherein the defined access priority of the person is stored at the website, or is
`stored in a private database under the user’s control.
`
`9.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1,
`wherein the message is electronically conveyed based on Internet protocol
`through a website,
`wherein the website keeps an electronic calendar of the user, and
`wherein an appointment is automatically set for the user with the person in view of
`information in the calendar.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, wherein the message is
`10.
`electronically conveyed based on Internet protocol through a website.
`
`IPVMCP02
`
`] 3
`
`Patent Application
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1029
`Page 15
`
`
`
`A computer-implemented method for managing incoming communication for a
`11.
`recipient, said method comprising:
`receiving an incoming communication request of a first communication type from
`a requestor;
`determining an access priority for the requestor based on information provided by
`the recipient; and
`determining an appropriate communication type for the incoming communication
`request based on one or more configurable rules and the access priority for the requestor.
`
`A computer-implemented method for managing incoming communication for a
`12.
`recipient, said method comprising:
`receiving an incoming communication request directed at the recipient;
`determining predetermined communication processing criteria for use in
`processing communication requests directed at the recipient, in view of the incoming
`communication request;
`determining whether and how to divert the incoming communication request to a
`specific communication mode among a plurality of communication modes based on the
`predetermined communication processing criteria; and
`automatically diverting the incoming communication request to the specific
`communication mode if so determined.
`
`13.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 12,
`wherein at least one attribute of the communication processing criteria is decided
`by the recipient, and
`wherein the plurality of communication modes includes at least three
`communication modes.
`
`14. A computer-implemented method as recited in any of claim 13, wherein the
`predetermined communication processing criteria depend on one or more of: at least one
`configurable rule, access priority for the requestor, status of the recipient, and urgency
`level of the incoming communication request.
`
`IPVMCP02
`
`|4
`
`Patent Application
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1029
`Page 16
`
`
`
`15.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in any of claim 13,
`wherein the predetermined communication processing criteria depend on at least
`one configurable rule, and
`wherein the at least one configurable rule makes use of one or more of the
`following factors: the time of day of the incoming communication request, a piece of
`information regarding the current activity of the recipient, access priority for the
`requestor, status of the recipient, urgency level of the incoming communication request
`and the current location of recipient.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in claim 13, wherein the
`16.
`predetermined communication processing criteria depend on a priority indication of the
`recipient.
`
`17.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in any of claim 13,
`wherein the incoming communication request can be via a data network, and
`wherein at least one attribute of the communication processing criteria is set by
`the recipient through interaction with a website.
`
`19.
`
`A computer-implemented method as recited in any of claim 13,
`wherein the incoming communication request can be re