throbber
a
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`AT SNv9lee
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`§001+90
`
`PTO/SB/M6 (12-04)
`Approved for use through 07/31/2006. OMB 0651-0032-,
`U.S. Patent and Trademark Office; U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE—
`Under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, no persons are required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a valid OMB contro! number.Q_
`PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT COVER SHEET
`(
`This is a requestforfiling a PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENTunder 37 CFR 1.53(c).
`Gxpress Mail Label No.Eps43so0447US
`
`
`
`35 061005
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ENCLOSED APPLICATION PARTS(checkall that apply)
`
`
`
`[] Application Data Sheet. See 37 CFR 1.76
`Specification Number ofPages 7
`LJ Drawing(s) Numberof Sheets
`
`
`Application Size Fee: If the specification and drawings exceed 100 sheets of paper, the application size fee due is $250 ($125 for
`smallentity) for each additional 50 sheets or fraction thereof. See 35 U.S.C. 41(a)(1)(G) and 37 CFR 1.16(s).
`
`
`METHOD OF PAYMENTOF FILING FEES AND APPLICATION SIZE FEE FOR THIS PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT
`
`
`[v] Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27.
`(_] A check or moneyorder is enclosed to coverthefiling fee and application size fee (if applicable).
`
`
`Paymentby credit card. Form PTO-2038is attached
`
`
`
`
`The Director is hereby authorized to chargethefiling fee and application size fee (if applicable) or credit any overpayment to Deposit
`Account Number:
`. A duplicative copyof this form is enclosed for fee processing.
` The invention was made by an agency of the United States Governmentor under a contract with an agency of the United States Government.
`No.
`LJ Yes, the name of the U.S. Government agency and the Governmentcontract numberare:
`
`
`
`Given Name(first and middle [if any})
`
`Family Name or Sumame
`
`Residence
`and either State or Foreign Count
`
`City
`
`Hong Kong SAR, CHINA
`Kwok Wai
`Mountain View, CA
`Peter P.
`separately numbered sheets attached hereto
`4
`Additional inventors are being named on the
`TITLE OF THE INVENTION (500 characters max):
`
`CHEUNG
`TONG
`
`ystems and Processes to Manage Multiple Modes of Communication
`
`
`
`
`
` Direct all correspondenceto:
`CORRESPONDENCE ADDRESS
`The address corresponding to Customer Number:
`34071
`
`OR
`
`Firm or
`Individual Name
`Address
`
`
`
`
`
`Country
`
`
`
`Telephone
`
`Fax
`
`LJ CD(s), Number of COs
`CJ Other(specify)
`
`TOTAL _FEE AMOUNT($)
`400.00
`
`SIGNATURE
`
`
`
`Date_06/10/05
`
`TYPED or PRINTED NAMEPeter Tong
`REGISTRATION NO. _35,757
`(if appropriate)
`TELEPHONE _650-903-9200
`Docket Number: IPVMCP02P 1
`USE ONLY FORFILING A PROVISIONAL APPLICATION FOR PATENT
`This collection of information is required by 37 CFR 1.51. The informationis required to obtain or retain a benefit by the public which is tofile {and by the USPTO
`to process) an application. Confidentiality is governed by 35 U.S.C. 122 and 37 CFR 1.11 and 1.14. This collection is estimated to take 8 hours to complete,
`including gathering, preparing, and submitting the completed application form to the USPTO. Time will vary depending upon the individual case. Any comments
`on the amountof time you require to complete this form and/or suggestionsfor reducing this burden, should be sent to the Chief Information Officer, U.S. Patent
`and Trademark Office, U.S. Department of Commerce, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450. DO NOT SEND FEES OR COMPLETED FORMSTO THIS
`ADDRESS. SEND TO: Commissionerfor Patents, P.O. Box 1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450.
`ifyou need assistance in completing the form,call 1-800-PTO-9199 and select aption 2.
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Page 1
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`

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`Systems and Processes to Manage Multiple Modes of Communication
`
`For manyyears, 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.
`
`One embodimentof the invention can automatically remove unwanted
`
`communications. Certain communicationsare relatively easy to determine to be
`
`unwanted, such as marketing cold calls and wrong numbercalls. Other communications
`
`maybe moredifficult. They can depend not just on the sources of the communication,
`but also the conditionsor status ofthe receiver (a user) of the communication. The status
`
`can berelated 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, unlessit is an emergency. Based on
`the embodiment, communications from sources the user wants to postponereceiving can
`be automatically diverted.
`
`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.
`
`The user may receive information from different modes of communication. For
`
`example, the user can have mobile phones,fixed lines at homeoroffice, emails, SMS,
`and faxes, with their different numbers and/or addresses. One embodimentcan help the
`user efficiently manage information from the different modes. Theuser 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, independentof
`wheretheuseris, or the type of hardwarethe user has. This allows the user to efficiently
`
`Provisional Patent Application
`
`1
`
`IPVMCP02P1
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Page 2
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`

`

`maintain his communication from the numerous modes even whenheis 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 donot.
`
`A number of embodiments depend on the different modes of communication
`
`converging onto the internet protocol platform. A communication gatewayora portalis
`
`formed allowing the user to receive communications from numerous sources through
`' different modes. This, in turn, could reduce the numerous addressesthe userhasto
`
`_
`
`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 different communication
`
`modes. The access identifier can becomethe 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 embodimentofthe 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 onastatus indicator. As an example, this indicator is determined
`
`according to the status of the user, the accesspriorities of the person trying to reach the
`
`user (or the relationship orthe lack of relationship between the user and the person),
`and/or the urgency of the message from the person. Thestatus of the user can be
`
`dynamically determined, based on the current condition(s) of the user. The portal can
`‘ allow the user and the personto select different options, which can be modified as desired.
`
`For example, the relationship can be preset bythe user and stored in a database, while the
`
`urgency of the message can beset by the person.
`
`Thus, in one embodiment, the portal can be used to contro! the selection and setting
`of different intelligent communication modesfor the user. Theseintelligent
`communication modesallow priorities of various kinds of communication optionsto be
`set by the user. The portal allows worldwideaccessto the user, and can dynamically
`determine, for example, whethera call initiated at different time by different callers
`should be accepted bythe 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
`
`Provisional Patent Application
`
`2
`
`IPVMCP02P1
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Page 3
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`

`

`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 accesspriorities 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 onthe status ofthe user, the
`gateway can automatically select an intelligent mode of communication for the user. This
`
`- selection can be done dynamically.
`
`In one embodiment, the portal can dynamically change the accesspriorities 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 accesspriorities accordingly. Lately, every timethe caller
`
`trying to reach the user, the request was denied. After a preset numberof rejections, the
`
`portal can automatically send a messageto the user, asking the userif the user would like
`
`to lower the access priority of the caller. If the responseis affirmative, the caller’s
`
`priority is automatically reduced.
`
`In another embodiment, the user doesnothaveto 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 subsequentcalls.
`
`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. Theportal can retrieve information from the different database when required.
`In another embodiment, the user can restrict or limit such retrieval process.
`Additional confidentiality can be provided. In one embodiment,using phonecalls
`as an example, the user can be awareofthe identity of the caller even without being
`informed of the numberofthe caller. Similarly, the caller can reach the user without
`being awareof the numberofthe phonetheuseris using to receive the call. The user can
`keephis location and/or status confidential butstill can receive the communication. This
`
`Provisional Patent Application
`
`3
`
`IPVMCP02P1
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Page 4
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`
`

`

`can be useful because thereare 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.
`
`Oneapproach 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
`, phonecalls, 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.
`
`After determiningthe 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.
`
`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 appointmentsfor the user since the portal knowstheidentity ofthe caller,
`"and the status and schedule of the user. For example, the appointmentcan befor a
`
`conferencecall.
`
`To illustrate, in one embodiment, a portal provides the following fourteen intelligent
`communication modes (ICM)for the user to select. There are three columnsin the table.
`If the communication modeselected in the second column doesnot work, the portal
`automatically defaults to the corresponding approach inthe third column. For example,
`under ICM 1, if the mobile phoneis busy, default to voice mail. Someofthe selections
`
`do not have any default because it maynot 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 needto default.
`
`Provisional Patent Application
`
`4
`
`IPVMCP02P1
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
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`Page 5
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`
`

`

`3
`
`Homephone
`
`Voice mail
`
`
`
`HomeOnline chat (Net Meeting, AOL, ICQ etc.) -|Voice mail
`
`Voice mail with instant notification to mobile devices of the user ii Voice mail without notification to mobile devices
`
`10
`
`Office fax
`
`Homefax
`
`
`
`Reject
`
`
`12
`Mobile Email (Blackberry etc.)
`
`
`Email
`
`13
`
`14
`
`Email
`
`Reject
`Userdefined
`
`-As a receiver of communication, the user can define the following contact classes:
`ContactClass1
`Kinship family members, love ones
`
`
`
`ContactClass2
`
`Relatives and friends
`
`Boss and VIP
`ContactClass3
`
`ContactClass4
`Colleagues
`
`ContactClass5
`
`Subordinates
`
` ContactClass6 Business acquaintances
`
`
`ContactClass7
`VIP Clients
`
`
`
`Clients ContactClass8
`ContactClass9
`Secretary
`
`ContactClass10
`
`Userdefined
`
`Provisional Patent Application
`
`5
`
`IPVMCP02P1
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Page 6
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`
`

`

`
`
`Important matter requiring quick attention
`
`The user can set up the following urgencyclasses:
`
`Life threatening - interrupt at any time and occasion
`
`
`UrgClass1
`
`
`
`UrgClass2
`Urgent confirmed meeting reminder — interruption allowed
`
`
`
`
`
`Regular work related matter
`
`
`
`Casual contact
`
`
`Cold calls from unknown person
`
`
`
`User defined
`
`UrgClass8
`
`MyBusyStatel
`
`
`
`MyBusyState3
`
`MyBusystate5
`
`The user can define the followingstatus:
`Important meeting
`
`
`
`Ordinary meeting
`MyBusyState2
`
`
`
`Available
`
`
`Sleeping
`MyBusyState4
`
`
`Resting
`
`
`‘MyBusyState6
`
`User defined
`
`Based on the above tables, as an example,the user can set up the following Access
`Priority Database for different ContactClasses:
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ninesfar
`
`[risenfar
`
`
`
`
`All
`
`ICM 13
`
`
`
`
`
`Provisional Patent Application
`
`6
`
`IPVMCP02P1
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
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`
`

`

`Asanother example, the user can categorize the following contacts into the
`
`corresponding ContactClasses:
`
`
`
`
`Alice (Wife)
`
`Peter (Close Friend)
`
`ContactClass1
`
`ContactClass2
`
`Colina (Close Friend’s wife)
`
`ContactClass2
`
`Peter wants to make a mobile phonecall 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,Peteris also a
`
`registered user of the portal. Then, Peter’s identity can be morereadily identified or
`
`verified.
`
`In one embodiment, after verification, a virtual address/numberfor the
`
`communication session is created allowing Peter to reach the user, which can be by phone.
`The user’s phone number does not haveto be disclosed to Peter. Similarly, Peter’s
`
`mobile phone numberdoesnot haveto 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.
`
`In establishing contact, the portal can access the user’s database and determine
`
`that Peter belongs to ContactClass2. The database can, for example, bein the portal.
`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.
`
`Based on the ContactClass information,the status of the user and Peter’s urgency
`setting, the user mayreceive Peter’s call directly. As another example, Peter may be
`askedto leave a voice mail to the user, while the useris notified by a mobile short
`
`message regarding an incomingcall from Peter.
`
`Provisional Patent Application
`
`7
`
`IPVMCP02P1
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
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`Page 8
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`
`

`

`PATENT APPLICATION SERIAL NO.
`
`U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`FEE RECORD SHEET
`
`06/15/2005 MBELETE! 00000064 60689686
`O01 FC:2005.
`.
`100.00 OP
`
`PTO-1556
`(5/87)
`
`“U.S, Governenent Prireing Office: 2002 — 489-267/80083
`
`RECT AVAARIF Cano
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Page 9
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`
`

`

`
`
`UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
`
`UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
`United States Patent and Trademark Office
`Address: COMMISSIOMER FOR PATENTS
`PO. Box 1456
`Alexandria, Virginia 22313-1450
`reas
`
`APPLICATION NUMBER
`
`PATENT NUMBER
`
`GROUP ART UNIT
`
`FILE WRAPPER LOCATION
`
`60/689,686
`
`Correspondence Address / Fee Address Change
`
`The following fields have been set to Customer Number 34071 on 06/16/2006
`
`¢ Correspondence Address
`«Maintenance Fee Address
`
`The address of record for Customer Number 34071 is:
`IPVENTURE, INC.
`5150 EL CAMINO REAL
`SUITE A-22
`LOS ALTOS,CA 94022
`
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Epic Games Ex. 1006
`Page 10
`Page 10
`
`

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