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`US 20040267884Al
`
`(19) United States
`
`(12) Patent Application Publication
`Sar-Shalom
`
`(10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0267884 Al
`Dec. 30, 2004
`( 43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) AUTOMATIC MESSAGING CLIENT
`LAUNCHER FOR A COMMUNICATION
`DEVICE
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Yaron Sar-Shalom, Ramat Yishay (IL)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
`2100 PENNSYLVANIAAVENUE, N.W.
`SUITE 800
`WASHINGTON, DC 20037 (US)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: COMVERSE, LTD.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.:
`
`10/608,230
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jun.30,2003
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Int. Cl.7 ......................... G06F 15/16; G06F 15/173
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................................ 709/206; 709/224
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An automatic messaging client launcher for a communica(cid:173)
`tion device automatically launches the communication
`device's messaging client, when the device is calling a
`currently unavailable destination communication device.
`The automatic messaging client launcher consists of an
`availability detector and a messaging initiator. The avail(cid:173)
`ability detector determines if the communication device
`being called is available. If the destination device is unavail(cid:173)
`able, the messaging initiator launches the messaging client.
`
`Initiate Call
`
`Trigger Messaging
`Client
`
`S330
`Messaging Client
`Opens
`
`y
`
`Input Message
`
`S360
`
`Send Message
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013, Page 1 of 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 30, 2004 Sheet 1 of 5
`
`US 2004/0267884 Al
`
`100 \
`
`110
`
`120
`
`130
`
`Availability
`Detector
`
`Messaging
`Initiator
`
`Messaging
`Client
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013, Page 2 of 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 30, 2004 Sheet 2 of 5
`
`US 2004/0267884 Al
`
`200
`
`\
`
`210
`
`220
`
`Availability
`Detector
`
`Message
`Sender
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013, Page 3 of 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 30, 2004 Sheet 3 of 5
`
`US 2004/0267884 Al
`
`S300
`Initiate Call
`
`y
`
`Connect Call
`
`S320
`Trigger Messaging
`Client
`
`S330
`Messaging Client
`Opens
`
`y
`
`N
`
`S350
`Input Message
`
`S360
`Send Message
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013, Page 4 of 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 30, 2004 Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 2004/0267884 Al
`
`S400
`Detect destination
`device availability
`
`y
`
`stinati
`ailabl
`
`N
`
`S420
`
`Launch
`messaging client
`
`S430
`Provide addressing
`information
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013, Page 5 of 14
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Dec. 30, 2004 Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 2004/0267884 Al
`
`S500
`
`Detect destination device
`availability
`
`Destination
`Available?
`
`N
`
`Send message to
`originating device with
`destination device address
`information
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013, Page 6 of 14
`
`

`

`US 2004/0267884 Al
`
`Dec. 30, 2004
`
`1
`
`AUTOMATIC MESSAGING CLIENT LAUNCHER
`FOR A COMMUNICATION DEVICE
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001] 1. Technical Field of the Invention
`
`[0002] The present invention relates to communication
`messaging and, more particularly, to automatically initiated
`communication messaging.
`
`[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
`
`[0004] The communications industry is a fast growing
`industry, which answers the communication needs of people
`around the world. Mobile telephones, such as cellular and
`satellite phones, extend the reach of traditional wireline
`telephones, and enable users to stay in touch when they
`would otherwise be inaccessible. Communications carriers
`are also providing an increasing variety of services to their
`users. Messaging services (such as Short Message Service)
`are widely used, and are an important source of revenue for
`cellular carriers. In view of the growing popularity of
`messaging services, the availability of messaging services
`for other types of communication devices is also rising.
`However, despite the versatility of the available communi(cid:173)
`cations networks, no one is truly accessible at all times.
`
`[0005] Cellular telephone users now commonly use their
`cellular telephones not only to call other users, but also to
`leave voicemail messages, and to send each other text
`messages. A significant amount of cellular carrier revenues
`now come from the transmission of Short Message Service
`(SMS) text messages. In view of the popularity of these
`services, messaging capability is becoming available for
`other types of telephones, such as Voice over IP (VoIP)
`telephones. The range of services provided by communica(cid:173)
`tions carriers is expected to increase. Multimedia messaging
`services (MMS), which expand SMS messaging beyond text
`to include multimedia content, will soon be widely avail(cid:173)
`able. Every additional service that is offered by a commu(cid:173)
`nications carrier improves its ability to attract clients and to
`compete with other carriers. Cellular communication carri(cid:173)
`ers expect that additional services will increase the Average
`Revenue Per User (ARPU), mainly because of increased
`airtime, which is the billable duration of the conversation.
`
`[0006] Telephone communications carriers routinely pro(cid:173)
`vide Voicemail services. Each voicemail-enabled user has an
`individual voicemail box on a central server. If a call
`recipient is unavailable to receive an incoming call, a
`prerecorded greeting is played to the caller. The caller is then
`able to record a voice message, which is stored in the
`recipient's voicemail box for access by the recipient at a
`later time. Voicemail is an important service for both the
`caller and the recipient. The caller is not obligated to call the
`same individual repeatedly. The recipient does not miss
`incoming calls, even when talking to a different individual
`or when the telephone is disconnected.
`
`[0007] Voicemail has several disadvantages. Voicemail
`services can be cumbersome, as users may be required to
`listen to lengthy messages and to navigate through various
`menus in order to send or receive voice messages. The user
`also pays for airtime while utilizing voicemail services. For
`these reasons, callers often elect to end the connection rather
`than leave a voicemail message.
`
`[0008] Cellular telephone messaging services, such as
`SMS and MMS, provide callers with alternative ways of
`communicating with other users without speaking to them
`directly. SMS is a transmission service for transmitting short
`text messages to wireless devices. A SMS message consists
`of a short text message, up to 160 alphanumeric characters
`in length. Non-text based short messages (for example, in
`binary format) are also supported, and are used, for example,
`for downloading ringtones and for logo services.
`
`[0009] The Short Message Service features confirmation
`of message delivery. Thus, unlike paging, senders of SMS
`messages can receive a return message notifying them
`whether the short message has been delivered or not.
`
`[0010] The Short Message Service is a store and forward
`service. SMS messages are not sent directly from sender to
`recipient, but via a Short Message Service Center (SMSC)
`that stores each message until the message can be delivered
`to the appropriate mobile device. If the subscriber is inac(cid:173)
`tive, the SMSC holds the message for a period of time, and
`delivers the messages when the subscriber accesses the
`network. Sending SMS messages has become popular with
`callers, both for providing a new message format (text rather
`than voice), and because SMS messages are relatively
`inexpensive to send.
`
`[0011] Two new messaging formats, EMS (Enhanced
`Message Service) and MMS (Multimedia Message Service),
`are now emerging. EMS adds text formatting, black-and(cid:173)
`white images and simple sounds to the unformatted text that
`SMS supports. Wireless service providers that offer SMS
`can add EMS with relatively simple upgrades to their
`network infrastructure.
`
`[0012]
`In comparison with SMS and EMS, MMS provides
`users with significantly extended messaging capabilities.
`MMS messages may contain still images, text, audio and
`video clips, and presentation information, in addition to text.
`The presentation information defines the way the message
`content is presented to the user, for example the order in
`which still images are displayed. An MMS message is
`displayed to the recipient as a multimedia presentation. The
`recipient does not need to manually select and open data
`attached to a message. Like SMS, MMS provides confir(cid:173)
`mation of message delivery.
`
`[0013] MMS messages are not transmitted directly from
`the caller to the recipient, but are forwarded via a Multime(cid:173)
`dia Service Center (MMSC) that performs a function analo(cid:173)
`gous to the SMSC. However, the process for MMS trans(cid:173)
`mission to the recipient is different.
`
`[0014] When a sender sends an MMS message to a
`recipient, the message is first sent to the MMSC. The MMSC
`sends confirmation to the sender that the message was sent.
`The MMSC then sends the receiver a notification that a new
`message is waiting. The receiver can download the message
`immediately or at a later time. Once the message is suc(cid:173)
`cessfully downloaded, the receiver is notified that the mes(cid:173)
`sage was received, and the sender is notified that the
`message was delivered.
`
`[0015] SMS and MMS messaging provide cellular clients
`with attractive alternatives to voicemail. SMS messages are
`short text messages that are inexpensive for the user, and are
`quickly transferred to the server over the signaling path.
`Additionally, once delivered, SMS messages are stored on
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013, Page 7 of 14
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`

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`US 2004/0267884 Al
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`Dec. 30, 2004
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`2
`
`the cellular device. Commonly, an indicator appears on the
`cellular device notifying the user that an SMS message has
`been received. The recipient is therefore more likely to view
`the message. Further information about messaging services
`can be found at http://www.mobilesms.com/, the contents of
`which are hereby incorporated by reference. MMS messag(cid:173)
`ing enables callers to send more elaborate messages, con(cid:173)
`taining a variety of media.
`[0016] Despite these advantages, SMS and MMS are
`currently an inconvenient way for a caller to communicate
`with an unavailable call recipient. If the caller attempts to
`place a regular call and the recipient does not answer, and
`the caller wishes to leave an SMS or MMS message, the
`caller must first hang up, and then manually access the SMS
`or MMS function on his or her telephone. Accessing a
`message function on a cellular device often requires navi(cid:173)
`gating through various menus on the device. The message
`and the target address must be manually input into the device
`and then transmitted. Confronted by this option, most callers
`currently prefer to end the call or to leave a voice message
`and suffer its inconveniences.
`[0017] There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it
`would be highly advantageous to have, user-friendly mes(cid:173)
`saging to an unavailable call recipient devoid of the above
`limitations.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0018] The invention has been made in view of the above
`circumstances and to overcome the above problems and
`limitations of the prior art. The aspects and advantages of the
`invention will be set forth in part in the description that
`follows and in part will be obvious from the description, or
`may be learned by practice of the invention. The aspects and
`advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by
`the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed
`out in the appended claims.
`[0019] According to a first aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided an automatic messaging client launcher for
`a communication device. When a communication device
`with an automatic messaging client launcher places a call to
`a disconnected, or otherwise unavailable, destination com(cid:173)
`munication device, the automatic messaging client launcher
`automatically launches the device's messaging client. The
`automatic messaging client launcher consists of an avail(cid:173)
`ability detector and a messaging initiator. The availability
`detector determines whether the device being called is
`available. The messaging initiator launches the communi(cid:173)
`cation device's messaging client when a called device is
`unavailable.
`[0020] According to a second aspect of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, there is provided an automatic messaging client
`launcher for a communication system. The automatic mes(cid:173)
`saging client launcher automatically sends a message to a
`communication device calling an unavailable destination
`communication device. The automatic messaging client
`launcher consists of an availability detector and a message
`sender. The availability detector monitors the calls placed by
`the originating device, and detects whether a destination
`device is unavailable. If the destination device is unavail(cid:173)
`able, the message sender sends the originating device a
`message containing addressing information of the destina(cid:173)
`tion device.
`
`[0021] According to a third aspect of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, there is provided a method for automatically launching
`a messaging client on an originating communication device
`calling a currently unavailable destination communication
`device. First, the availability of the destination device is
`determined. Then, if the destination device is unavailable,
`the originating communication device's messaging client is
`launched, and provided with destination device addressing
`information.
`
`[0022] According to a fourth aspect of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion, there is provided a method for automatically sending a
`message to an originating communication device calling a
`currently unavailable destination device. First, the availabil(cid:173)
`ity of the destination device is determined. Then, if the
`destination device is unavailable, a message containing
`destination device addressing information is sent to the
`originating device.
`
`[0023] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention,
`there is provided a method for automatically launching a
`messaging client on an originating communication device
`calling a currently unavailable destination communication
`device. First, the availability of the destination device is
`determined. If the destination device is unavailable, a trigger
`signal is generated. The trigger signal launches the originat(cid:173)
`ing communication device's messaging client. Destination
`device addressing information is then provided to the mes(cid:173)
`saging client.
`
`[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scien(cid:173)
`tific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly
`understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this
`invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar
`or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the
`practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods
`and materials are described below. In addition, the materials,
`methods and examples are illustrative only and not intended
`to be limiting.
`
`[0025]
`Implementation of the method and system of the
`invention
`involves performing or completing
`present
`selected tasks or processes manually, automatically, or a
`combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instru(cid:173)
`mentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of the
`method and system of the present invention, portions of the
`method and/or system could be implemented by hardware or
`by software on any operating system of any hardware or
`firmware or a combination thereof. For example, as hard(cid:173)
`ware, selected portions of the invention could be imple(cid:173)
`mented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected portions
`of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of
`software instructions being executed by a computer using
`any suitable operating system. In any case, selected portions
`of the method and system of the invention could be
`described as being performed by a data processor, such as a
`computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.
`
`[0026] The above and other aspects and advantages of the
`invention will become apparent from the following detailed
`description and with reference to the accompanying drawing
`figures.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorpo(cid:173)
`rated in and constitute a part of this specification illustrate
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013, Page 8 of 14
`
`

`

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`Dec. 30, 2004
`
`3
`
`invention and, together with the
`embodiments of the
`description, serve to explain the aspects, advantages and
`principles of the
`invention. The
`invention
`is herein
`described, by way of example only, with reference to the
`accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the
`drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown
`are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative
`discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present
`invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing
`what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood
`description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the
`invention. In this regard, no attempt is made to show
`structural details of the invention in more detail than is
`necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention,
`the description taken with the drawings making apparent to
`those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention
`may be embodied in practice. In the drawings:
`
`[0028] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a preferred
`embodiment of an automatic messaging client launcher for
`a communication device, according to a preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment of the present invention.
`
`[0029] FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram of an auto(cid:173)
`matic messaging client launcher for a communication sys(cid:173)
`tem, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
`invention.
`
`[0030] FIG. 3 shows call flow with automatic messaging,
`according to a preferred embodiment of the present inven(cid:173)
`tion.
`
`[0031] FIG. 4 is a simplified flowchart of a preferred
`embodiment of a method for automatically launching a
`messaging client on an originating communication device
`contacting a currently unavailable destination communica(cid:173)
`tion device, according to a preferred embodiment of the
`present invention.
`
`[0032] FIG. 5 is a simplified flowchart of a preferred
`embodiment of a method for sending a message to an
`originating communication device contacting a currently
`unavailable destination device, according to a preferred
`embodiment of the present invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0033] The present embodiments are of an automatic
`messaging client launcher for a communication device that
`enables a user to easily send messages to an unavailable call
`recipient. Specifically, the present embodiments can be used
`to open a messaging client on the caller's communication
`device when a call recipient does not answer a call. The
`messaging client is launched with a blank or default message
`pre-addressed to the call recipient.
`
`[0034] The principles and operation of an automatic mes(cid:173)
`saging client launcher according to the present invention
`may be better understood with reference to the drawings and
`accompanying descriptions.
`
`[0035] Before explaining at least one embodiment of the
`invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention
`is not limited in its application to the details of construction
`and the arrangement of the components set forth in the
`following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
`invention is capable of other embodiments or of being
`
`practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be
`understood that the phraseology and terminology employed
`herein is for the purpose of description and should not be
`regarded as limiting.
`
`[0036] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 is a sim(cid:173)
`plified block diagram of a preferred embodiment of an
`automatic messaging client launcher for a communication
`device. The automatic messaging client launcher 100 com(cid:173)
`prises an availability detector 110 and a messaging initiator
`120, which are located on the communication device. When
`a call is placed from an originating communication device,
`availability detector 110 monitors the call to determine if the
`destination device connects. If the destination device does
`not connect, messaging initiator 120 launches the originat(cid:173)
`ing device's messaging client 130, so that the user may
`conveniently send a message to the unavailable device. The
`automatic messaging client launcher 100 may be an inde(cid:173)
`pendent component of the communication device, or may be
`integrated into the messaging client 130.
`
`[0037] The communication device of all the embodiments
`discussed herein is any communications device with mes(cid:173)
`saging capabilities. These communications devices include
`cellular telephones, IP telephones (portable and desktop),
`smart telephones and satellite telephones. Some fixed line
`telephones are now available with SMS for wireline capa(cid:173)
`bilities.
`
`[0038]
`In the preferred embodiment, availability detector
`110 monitors the call from the time the ring tone is present
`until that call is answered or until a busy signal or any other
`indication of failure to complete the call is obtained. The
`availability detector 110 uses signaling information to deter(cid:173)
`mine the call progress. For example, signaling information
`can be received over Signaling System 7 for the number of
`ring tones. For IP telephones, SIP is used for signaling
`information in VoIP. The availability detector 110 may use
`several criteria to determine that a destination device is
`unavailable, or that the call has not been completed. The
`destination device may be considered unavailable (i) if a
`busy signal is detected, (ii) if the call is not answered after
`a predetermined number of rings, (iii) if the call connects to
`a voicemail box, or (iv) if an indication is received from the
`communication carrier that the destination device is oflline.
`An incomplete call is considered to be a voice call between
`two parties that cannot be completed.
`
`[0039]
`If availability detector 110 determines that the
`destination device is unavailable, messaging initiator 120
`launches the originating device's messaging client 130. The
`messaging initiator 120 preferably provides the messaging
`client 130 with addressing information of the unavailable
`destination device. Generally, the addressing information
`comprises of the telephone number of the unavailable
`device, which may be obtained from the memory of the
`originating communication device. The messaging initiator
`120 may be able to detect that a destination communication
`device does not have messaging capabilities, for example,
`when calling a land-line telephone, and refrain from launch(cid:173)
`ing messaging client 130 in this case.
`
`[0040]
`In the preferred embodiment, the automatic mes(cid:173)
`saging client launcher 100 is integrated into the messaging
`client 130. In the preferred embodiment, messaging initiator
`120 launches the messaging client 130 with the address of
`the unavailable destination device already defined as the
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013, Page 9 of 14
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`4
`
`message destination address. The destination address is
`generally designated in a message destination field, which
`may be displayed to the user accompanying the message
`content, or may constitute a portion of the control informa(cid:173)
`tion accompanying the message. In the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the destination of the unanswered call is automatically
`inserted into the appropriate destination field. The message
`may be an SMS, EMS or MMS message. The caller supplies
`the message content, which may comprise text, audio clips,
`video clips, still images, multimedia presentations and
`vmce.
`[0041] Preferably, the communication device messaging
`client 130 opens with an input screen. The input screen is
`displayed to the device user, for user input of message
`content. In the preferred embodiment, the message input
`screen contains no content beyond the address of the
`unavailable device. The user may input the desired message
`content, either manually or by selecting a predefined mes(cid:173)
`sage from the communication device memory.
`[0042]
`In the preferred embodiment the message consti(cid:173)
`tutes a default message. The message may be a standard
`message defined by the communication device, or may be
`definable by the user. The message may include information
`obtained from the communication device memory, such as
`the caller name, and the date and time the call was made. The
`user may send the default message unchanged or may
`modify or add to the default message.
`[0043]
`In the preferred embodiment, the user enters a
`command in order to send the message. In a further preferred
`embodiment, a default message is sent automatically when
`the availability detector 110 determines that the destination
`is unavailable, without the need for any user input. The
`message may be an SMS, EMS, MMS or voice message, or
`any other technologically feasible message type. The user
`records the default message in the manner necessitated by
`the type of message being left (e.g., recording a voice
`message or manipulating a keypad to input a SMS message).
`[0044]
`In a further preferred embodiment, automatic mes(cid:173)
`saging client launcher 100 comprises an automatic dialer,
`which automatically dials a list of numbers input by the user.
`The automatic dialer stores the telephone numbers entered
`by the user, so the user does not have to repeatedly enter the
`same telephone number. If a destination device does not
`connect, messaging initiator 120 launches the communica(cid:173)
`tion device messaging client 130 and a default message is
`automatically sent to the unavailable device.
`[0045] Preferably, automatic messaging is activated and
`deactivated by the user from the communication device.
`Alternatively, the cellular system operator can control the
`activation and deactivation of the automatic messaging. In
`the preferred embodiment, the automatic messaging client
`launcher 100 is activated globally (i.e., all cellular system
`operators support automatic messaging), but can also be
`activated on a per system operator basis as well. In sum, if
`the cellular system operator supports automatic messaging,
`the messaging client 130 is launched whenever availability
`detector 110 determines that the destination device is
`unavailable. In an additional preferred embodiment, when a
`destination device is unavailable the user is given a choice
`of responses, such as leaving an SMS or MMS message,
`leaving a voice message, or disconnecting without leaving
`any message. The user may be prompted to make the
`
`selection by a recorded message or by a message displayed
`on the screen, and may input his or her choice from the
`keyboard or by voice command.
`[0046] Preferably, messaging initiator 120 launches mes(cid:173)
`saging client 130 in accordance with a set of user-definable
`rules. These rules may use various criteria available to the
`messaging initiator 120, such as information within the
`communication device or a network address book, or the
`type of ring-back or other call progress tone received. The
`user can thus tailor the messages sent by the messaging
`client 130 for different purposes. For example, the user may
`define a category of "Friends" in the device address book.
`This is different than the network address book described
`above. Please note that "Friends" category can be defined on
`either the network address book or on a personal address
`book. The user's friends can be sent a different message type
`or a different default message than the message sent to other
`destination devices. Alternately, these rules may be defined
`within the messaging client 130. The messaging initiator 120
`may then provide additional information (provisioned by the
`user) required by the messaging client 130 to apply the rules,
`such as the reason the messaging client 130 was launched
`(for example, in response to a call-waiting ring or to a
`number of unanswered rings).
`[0047]
`In the preferred embodiment, if availability detec(cid:173)
`tor 110 detects that a destination device is unavailable, then
`the messaging initiator 120 launches the messaging client
`130 by mimicking the process that occurs in the device when
`a message is received from the communications carrier
`server. A message, which appears to have been sent by the
`unavailable destination device, is input into the messaging
`client 130. The input message may be a blank or default
`message. When the caller replies to the message, the reply
`is sent to the unavailable destination device. In the preferred
`embodiment, the unavailable destination device is specified
`in a message reply field.
`[0048] Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a
`simplified block diagram of an automatic messaging client
`launcher for a communication system. In contrast with the
`embodiments described above, automatic messaging client
`launcher 200 operates from within the communication sys(cid:173)
`tem, and not in the communication device. Automatic mes(cid:173)
`saging client launcher 200 comprises of an availability
`detector 210, and a message sender 220. Availability detec(cid:173)
`tor 210 monitors calls originating from communication
`devices from system subscribers, as well as calls originating
`from sources other then system subscribers. If a monitored
`call does not connect to the destination device, then message
`sender 220 sends a message containing destination device
`addressing information to the originating device. The auto(cid:173)
`matic messaging client launcher 200 stores the destination
`device addressing information, and this addressing informa(cid:173)
`tion is used for sending a reply to the currently unavailable
`destination device.
`
`[0049] Availability detector 210 monitors the call to deter(cid:173)
`mine if the destination device connects. Methods for deter(cid:173)
`mining destination unavailability vary, as described above.
`Additionally, availability detector 210 may have access to
`telephone network signaling information that can be used to
`determine if a called device is available.
`[0050]
`In the preferred embodiment, the message sent to
`the originating device by message sender 220 is structured
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1013, Page 10 of 14
`
`

`

`US 2004/0267884 Al
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`Dec. 30, 2004
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`5
`
`such that when the message is replied to, the reply is
`addressed to the destination device. In the preferred embodi(cid:173)
`ment, the message sent to the originating device specifies the
`unavailable destination device in a message reply field.
`[0051] Commonly, when a communication device
`receives a message, the device's messaging client is
`launched. When the originating device receives the message
`sent by the automatic messaging client launcher 200, the
`communication device responds to the message as it would
`respond to any other received message, i.e., it launches the
`messaging client. When the originating device user replies to
`the received message, the reply is sent to the unavailable
`destination communication device.
`[0052]
`In the preferred embodiment, automatic messaging
`can be switched on and off by the user either from the
`communication device, or via the communications carrier.
`The communication device comprises a provision section
`that will allow the user to set and/or change preferences.
`Alternatively, the user can access a website of the commu(cid:173)
`nications carrier and set and/or change preferences.
`[0053] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which shows a
`call flow scenario for automatic messaging. At S300, the
`caller places a call. At S310, a determination is made
`whether the call recipient answers. If the recipient answers,
`the call is put through. Otherwise, a trigger signal is pro(cid:173)
`vided to the messaging client, at S320, causing the messag(cid:173)
`ing client to launch. The trigger signal is derived from
`answer/no-answer data provided in the signaling informa(cid:173)
`tion. The trigger signal may vary, as described below. If the
`automatic messaging client launcher is implemented on the
`communication device, the messaging initiator generates the
`appropriate launch signal within the communication device.
`If the automatic messaging client launcher is i