1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 11111 1111111111 111111111111111 IIIII 1111111111 1111111111 11111111
`US 20090143085Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Anderl et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2009/0143085 Al
`Jun. 4, 2009
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) CALL COMPLETION
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Ewald Anderl, Middletown, NJ
`(US); Raja Moorthy, Fairless Hills,
`PA (US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`Ashok Tankha
`36 Greenleigh Drive
`Sewell, NJ 08080
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Kirusa Inc.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/272,806
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov.18, 2008
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/005,268, filed on Dec.
`4, 2007.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04W 4100
`(2009.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 455/466
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`
`Disclosed herein is a method and system for completing a call
`attempt made by a first party on a first network to a second
`party on a second network. The second network may be the
`first network or one of multiple networks excluding the first
`network. The first network detects termination of the call
`attempt. The first network communicates availability of a
`messaging service to the first party. The messaging service
`may be a short messaging service (SMS), a voice SMS, a
`multimedia messaging service, and a multimodal messaging
`service. The first network does not bill the first party for the
`communication of the availability of the messaging service.
`On acceptance of the messaging service by the first party, the
`first party creates a message to be delivered to the second
`party on the second network. The first network delivers the
`message to the second party on the second network.
`
`DETECT TERMINATION OF A CALL ATTEMPT MADE BY A FIRST PARTY
`ON A FIRST NETWORK TO CONT ACT A SECOND PARTY ON A SECOND
`NETWORK
`
`·~
`
`THE" FIRST NETWORK COMMUNICATES AVAILABILITY OF A
`MESSAGING SERVICE TO THE FIRST PARTY
`
`,,
`
`THE FIRST PARTY ACCEPTS THE MESSAGING SERVICE
`
`THE FIRST PARTY CREA TES A MESSAGE TO BE DELIVERED TO THE
`SECOND PARTY ON THE SECOND NETWORK
`
`0
`
`1P
`
`DELIVER THE CREATED MESSAGE TO THE SECOND PARTY
`
`101
`__,I
`
`102
`L-J
`
`103
`L-J
`
`104
`L-J
`
`105
`L-J
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1050, Page 1 of 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 4, 2009 Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 2009/0143085 Al
`
`DETECT TERMINATION OF A CALL ATTEMPT MADE BY A FIRST PARTY
`ON A FIRST NETWORK TO CONTACT A SECOND PARTY ON A SECOND
`NETWORK
`
`,,
`
`THE FIRST NETWORK COMMUNICATES AVAILABILITY OF A
`MESSAGING SERVICE TO THE FIRST PARTY
`
`,,
`
`THE FIRST PARTY ACCEPTS THE MESSAGING SERVICE
`
`,,
`
`THE FIRST PARTY CREATES A MESSAGE TO BE DELIVERED TO THE
`SECOND PARTY ON THE SECOND NETWORK
`
`,,
`
`DELIVER THE CREATED MESSAGE TO THE SECOND PARTY
`
`101
`L__.I
`
`102
`L__.I
`
`103
`L__.I
`
`104
`✓
`
`105
`
`/
`
`FIG. I
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1050, Page 2 of 11
`
`

`

`.... 0 =
`.... 0 = ""O = O" -....
`t "e -....
`
`~ ....
`
`(')
`
`~ ....
`
`(')
`
`('D = ....
`~ ....
`""O
`
`Ul
`QO
`0
`~
`.i;...
`
`> ....
`
`0
`0
`N
`rJJ
`c
`
`1,0 --- 0 ....
`
`FIG. 2
`
`203(
`
`_,I
`
`DATABASE
`MESSAGE
`
`~03c
`
`DETECTION MODULE
`
`DECLINATION
`
`ACCEPTANCE AND
`
`'----B-IL_L_I_N_G_E_N_G_INE _ ___,IY3e
`
`MODULE
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`SERVICE
`
`__,,
`
`DELIVERY ENGINE
`
`.
`
`293a
`
`DETECTION MODULE _,,
`CALL TERMINATION
`
`L _____ ____.I 293d :__..I
`
`-------------------------------------------------------------, I
`
`.PARTY
`SECOND
`
`--------------------~
`: SECOND NETWORK ' --•
`,
`r----------___../ ·-----
`
`I
`
`205
`
`204
`
`202
`
`202a
`
`MODULE
`CREATION
`MESSAGE
`
`DEVICE
`
`COMMUNICATION
`
`PARTY
`FIRST
`
`: 203
`
`I
`
`FIRST NETWORK
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1050, Page 3 of 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 4, 2009 Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 2009/0143085 Al
`
`202
`. - - - - - - - - - - - - - ,
`COMM UNI CATION DEVICE
`
`f -01
`
`FIRST
`PARTY
`
`MESSAGE
`CREATION
`MODULE
`
`202a
`lJ
`
`SECOND
`PARTY
`
`' - - - - - - - - - - - - - - • 203
`:
`FIRST
`:
`NETWORK ~
`: ________________ :
`:
`
`FIG.3
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1050, Page 4 of 11
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Jun. 4, 2009 Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 2009/0143085 Al
`
`404
`
`NETWORK
`TERMINATION
`
`PARTY "A" ATTEMPTS TO CALL
`PARTY "B"
`
`CALL TERMINATION (BUSY,
`PHONE NOT REACHABLE, OUT OF
`COVERAGE AREA, NETWORK
`CONGESTION, NO ANSWER,
`MANUAL TERMINATION)
`
`401
`
`402
`
`QUERY PARTY
`"A" TO USE
`MESSAGING
`SERVICE
`
`ACCEPT
`
`PARTY "A" PROVIDES MESSAGE
`CONTENT (e.g. TEXT MESSAGE,
`VOICE SMS MESSAGE, MMS
`MESSAGE, MULTIMODAL
`MESSAGE)
`
`405
`
`.
`.
`MESSAGE CONTENT DELIVERED
`TO PARTY "B"
`
`406
`
`PARTY "B" RETRIEVES MESSAGE
`(E.g. READS SMS, LISTENS TO
`VOICE SMS, VIEWS MMS, VIEWS
`AND LISTENS TO MULTIMODAL
`MESSAGE)
`
`OPTIONAL RECEIPT TO PARTY
`"A" ON RETRIEVAL
`
`407
`
`408
`
`FIG.4
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1050, Page 5 of 11
`
`

`

`US 2009/0143085 Al
`
`Jun.4,2009
`
`1
`
`CALL COMPLETION
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`[0001] The following patents are incorporated herein in
`their entirety:
`[0002]
`1. This application claims the benefit of provisional
`patent application No. U.S. 61/005,268 titled "Call
`Completion", filed on Dec. 4, 2007 in the United States
`Patent and Trademark Office.
`[0003] 2. Non-provisional patent application number U.S.
`Pat. No. 10/589,325 titled "Methods for Identifying Mes(cid:173)
`sages and Communicating with Users of a Multimodal
`Message Service", filed on Aug. 14, 2006 in the United
`States Patent and Trademark Office.
`[0004] 3. Patent application U.S. Pat. No. 7,184,786 titled
`"Techniques for combining voice with wireless text short
`message services" assigned to Kirusa, Inc. NJ, USA.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0005] This invention, in general, relates to messaging ser(cid:173)
`vices. More particularly, this invention relates to completing
`a call attempt made by a first party on a first network to a
`second party on a second network.
`[0006] When a caller attempts to call a recipient on a net(cid:173)
`work, multiple conditions may cause the call attempt to be
`terminated. For example, the call may be terminated due to a
`busy signal, an unanswered signal, an unreachable signal,
`manual termination by the caller, etc. The caller may there(cid:173)
`after wish to send a message to the recipient to complete the
`call attempt. There is a need for a messaging service to enable
`the caller to create and deliver messages including short mes(cid:173)
`saging service (SMS) messages, voice SMS messages, mul(cid:173)
`timedia messaging service (MMS) messages, and multimo(cid:173)
`dal messages without making another call, or re-initiating the
`call to the recipient. Moreover, there is a need for a messaging
`service that enables the recipient to retrieve the message sent
`by the caller without difficulty.
`[0007] The caller may manually terminate the call attempt
`on encountering the busy signal, the unanswered signal, the
`unreachable signal, etc. Even if a network provides some call
`attempt completion services, communicating availability of
`the call attempt completion services to the caller before the
`manual termination may not be possible. There is a need for
`communicating availability of call attempt completion ser(cid:173)
`vices before and after manual termination of the call attempt
`by the caller.
`[0008] Hence, there is an unmet need for completing a call
`attempt made by a first party on a first network to a second
`party on a second network by providing a messaging service,
`where availability of the messaging service for sending a
`message to the second party is communicated to the first party
`before or after manual termination of the call attempt by the
`first party.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0010] The method and system disclosed herein addresses
`the need for completing a call attempt made by a first party on
`a first network to a second party on a second network by
`providing a messaging service, where availability of messag(cid:173)
`ing service for sending a message to the second party is
`communicated to the first party before or after manual termi(cid:173)
`nation of the call attempt. The second network may be the
`same as the first network, or one of any other networks
`excluding the first network. The first network detects termi(cid:173)
`nation of the call attempt made by the first party on the first
`network to contact the second party on the second network.
`The call attempt may, for example, be terminated due to
`occurrence of a busy signal, an out of coverage signal, an
`unreachable signal, congestion of one or more of the first
`network and the second network, an unanswered signal from
`the second party, or manual call termination by the first party.
`[0011] The first network communicates availability of a
`messaging service to the first party on detection of termina(cid:173)
`tion of the call attempt. The messaging service may, for
`example, be a short messaging service (SMS), a voice SMS
`service, a multimedia messaging service, and a multimodal
`messaging service. The first network may communicate the
`availability of the messaging service to the first party via, for
`example, a voice call, an SMS message, or an alert based on
`unstructured supplementary service data. The first network
`may communicate the availability of the messaging service to
`the first party prior to manual call termination by the first
`party or after the manual call termination by the first party.
`The first network may communicate the availability of the
`messaging service to the first party after manual call termi(cid:173)
`nation by the first party via a voice call. The first party is not
`billed for the communication of the availability of the mes(cid:173)
`saging service.
`[0012] Acceptance and declination of the messaging ser(cid:173)
`vice by the first party may, for example, be detected by an
`explicit dual tone multi frequency input, an implicit pre(cid:173)
`defined timeout, or a subscription of the first party to the
`messaging service. On acceptance of the messaging service
`by the first party, the first party creates a message to be
`delivered to the second party on the second network. Creating
`the message by the first party may, for example, comprise
`recording one or more of a text SMS message, a voice SMS
`message, a multimedia messaging service message, and a
`multimodal message on a communication device of the first
`party.
`[0013] The first network delivers the created message to the
`second party on the second network. The text SMS message,
`the voice SMS message, the multimedia service message, and
`the multimodal message are delivered to the second party in a
`text short messaging service message format, a voice SMS
`message format, a multimedia messaging service message
`format, and a multimodal message format respectively. The
`first party is billed for the delivery of the created message. On
`declination of the messaging service by the first party, the first
`network sends a missed call notification to the second party.
`The first network may send a missed call notification to the
`second party on declination of the messaging service by the
`first party.
`
`[0009] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
`concepts in a simplified form that are further described in the
`detailed description of the invention. This summary is not
`intended to identify key or essential inventive concepts of the
`claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for determining the
`scope of the claimed subject matter.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0014] The foregoing summary, as well as the following
`detailed description of the invention, is better understood
`when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For
`the purpose of illustrating the invention, exemplary construe-
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1050, Page 6 of 11
`
`

`

`US 2009/0143085 Al
`
`Jun.4,2009
`
`2
`
`tions of the invention are shown in the drawings. However, the
`invention is not limited to the specific methods and instru(cid:173)
`mentalities disclosed herein.
`[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a method of completing a call
`attempt made by a first party on a first network to a second
`party on a second network.
`[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a system for completing a call
`attempt made by a first party on a first network to a second
`party on a second network.
`[0017] FIG. 3 exemplarily illustrates a system for complet(cid:173)
`ing a call attempt made by the first party to the second party
`within the first network.
`[0018] FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart of the
`steps for completing a call attempt made by the first party to
`the second party within the first network.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates a method of completing a call
`attempt made by a first party 201 on a first network 203 to a
`second party 205 on a second network 204. The first party
`201, the first network 203, the second party 205, and the
`second network 204 are illustrated in FIG. 2. The second
`network 204 may be the first network 203, or one of multiple
`networks excluding the first network 203. The call may be
`initiated on a wireless telephony network or a wired tele(cid:173)
`phony network. The first network 203 detects 101 termination
`of the call attempt. The call attempt may, for example, be
`terminated due to occurrence of a busy signal, an out of
`coverage signal, an unreachable signal, congestion of one or
`more of the first network 203 and the second network 204, an
`unanswered signal from the second party 205, and manual
`call termination by the first party 201.
`[0020] On detection of the termination of the call attempt,
`the first network 203 communicates 102 availability of a
`messaging service to the first party 201. The messaging ser(cid:173)
`vice may, for example, be a short messaging service (SMS), a
`voice SMS service, a multimedia messaging service, and a
`multimodal messaging service. As used herein, the term
`"multimodal messaging" refers to a mode of communication
`that seamlessly combines graphics, text, and audio output
`with speech, text, and touch input to provide an enhanced user
`interface.
`[0021] The multimodal messaging service combines voice
`data and other modalities, for example, image, video, etc.
`with a text SMS message. The multimodal messaging service
`enables use of multiple modalities of communication based
`on requirements of the first party 201 and the usage environ(cid:173)
`ment. As used herein, modalities refer to any human mode of
`interaction on the input side of an application, for example,
`the first party's 201 voice, any visual mode, or combination of
`voice and any visual mode, etc., that allows the first party 201
`to speak, hear, type, touch or see in that application, and one
`or more human interaction modes on the output side of the
`application such as the second party's 205 ability to hear,
`visually see, or simultaneously hear and visually see the
`output. Multimodal interactions thereby extend web or other
`application user interface to allow multiple modes of interac(cid:173)
`tion, offering the first party 201, for example, the choice of
`using their voice, or an input device such as a key pad, key(cid:173)
`board, mouse or stylus. For output, the second party 205 will,
`for example, be able to listen to spoken prompts and audio, to
`view information on graphical displays, and to simulta(cid:173)
`neously listen to and view an output.
`
`[0022] Multimodal messaging enables users to send and
`receive voice messages associated directly with text SMS
`messages. To send a multimodal message, the first party 201
`composes a message to be sent using SMS technology using
`a text input device, for example, a keypad of a mobile phone.
`The composed text message is associated and combined with
`a voice message recorded by the first party 201. The com(cid:173)
`bined message is sent to the second party 205 via a multimo(cid:173)
`dal messaging platform. The multimodal messaging platform
`synchronizes and processes input voice and text information
`and transfers the synchronized and processed information to
`a mobile phone of the second party 205. The multimodal
`platform enables wireless carriers and service providers to
`offer applications with integrated voice and visual interfaces.
`[0023] The second party 205 may then read the received
`text message and retrieve the associated voice message via a
`link provided in the received text message or in a separate text
`message by the multimodal platform. A speech recognition
`engine may be used for control of the playback and recording
`of voice messages as well as control of other messaging
`functions. Multimodal messaging may be implemented using
`wireless telephone devices capable of sending and receiving
`SMS text messages and may also be extended to different
`device types and network technologies.
`[0024] The first network 203 may communicate the avail(cid:173)
`ability of the messaging service to the first party 201 by, for
`example, a voice call, an SMS message, or an alert based on
`unstructured supplementary service data (USSD). The first
`network 203 may communicate the availability of the mes(cid:173)
`saging service to the first party 201 prior to manual call
`termination by the first party 201 or after the manual call
`termination by the first party 201. For example, if the first
`party 201 attempts to call the second party 205 and encounters
`a busy signal, the availability of the messaging service may be
`communicated to the first party 201 before the first party 201
`manually terminates the call by pressing an "END" key on the
`first party's 201 communication device 202. However, if the
`first party 201 manually terminates the call by pressing the
`"END" key before the communication of the availability of
`the messaging service, the first network 203 may communi(cid:173)
`cate the availability of the messaging service after the manual
`call termination by placing a voice call to the first party 201.
`The first party 201 is not billed for the communication of the
`availability of the messaging service.
`[0025] The first party 201 accepts 103 the messaging ser(cid:173)
`vice. The first network 203 detects the acceptance or declina(cid:173)
`tion of the messaging service by the first party 201 by an
`explicit dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) input, for
`example, by the first party 201 pressing a "#" key on the
`communication device 202, an implicit predefined timeout,
`for example, by the first party 201 waiting on the line for a
`predefined period of time, or a subscription of the first party
`201 to the messaging service. If the first party 201 declines the
`messaging service, the first network 203 sends a missed call
`notification to the second party 205. When the first party 201
`accepts the messaging service, the first party 201 creates 104
`a message to be sent to the second party 205 on the second
`network 204. The first party 201 may create the message, for
`example, by typing a text SMS message, recording a voice
`SMS message, and by composing an MMS message or a
`multimodal message on the first party's 201 communication
`device 202. The first network 203 then delivers 105 the cre(cid:173)
`ated message to the second party 205 on the second network
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1050, Page 7 of 11
`
`

`

`US 2009/0143085 Al
`
`Jun.4,2009
`
`3
`
`204. The call attempt made by the first party 201 on the first
`network 203 to the second party 205 on the second network
`204 is thereby completed.
`[0026] The first network 203 delivers the created message
`by transmitting the created message to the second party 205 in
`a suitable format. The created text SMS message is delivered
`in a text SMS format. The recorded voice SMS message is
`delivered in a voice SMS message format. The recorded
`MMS message is delivered in an MMS message format. The
`recorded multimodal message is delivered in a multimodal
`message format. The first network 203 may bill the first party
`201 for the delivery of the created message.
`[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a system for completing a call
`attempt made by a first party 201 on a first network 203 to a
`second party 205 on a second network 204. The second net(cid:173)
`work 204 may be the first network 203, or one of multiple
`networks excluding the first network 203. A system for com(cid:173)
`pleting a call attempt made by the first party 201 to the second
`party 205 within the first network 203 is exemplarily illus(cid:173)
`trated in FIG. 3. The system disclosed herein comprises a call
`termination detection module 203a, a service communication
`module 203b, an acceptance and declination detection mod(cid:173)
`ule 203c, a delivery engine 203d, a billing engine 203e, a
`message database 203/, and a message creation module 202a.
`The call termination detection module 203a, the service com(cid:173)
`munication module 203b, the acceptance and declination
`detection module 203c, the delivery engine 203d, the billing
`engine 203e, and the message database 203/ may be part of
`the first network 203. The message creation module 202a
`may be provided on a communication device 202 of the first
`party 201.
`[0028] The call termination detection module 203a detects
`termination of a call attempt made by the first party 201 to
`contact the second party 205. The call termination detection
`module 203a may, for example, detect the termination of the
`call attempt due to occurrence of a busy signal, an out of
`coverage signal, an unreachable signal, congestion of one or
`more of the first network 203 and the second network 204, an
`unanswered signal from the second party 205, and a manual
`call termination by the first party 201. On detection of the
`termination of the call attempt, the service communication
`module 203b communicates availability of a messaging ser(cid:173)
`vice to the first party 201. The service communication module
`203b may, for example, communicate availability of the mes(cid:173)
`saging service by a voice call, a short message service mes(cid:173)
`sage, or an alert based on unstructured supplementary service
`data. The messaging service may, for example, be one or more
`of a short messaging service (SMS), a voice short messaging
`service, a multimedia messaging service (MMS), and a mul(cid:173)
`timodal messaging service. The service communication mod(cid:173)
`ule 203b may communicate the availability of the messaging
`service prior to manual call termination by the first party 201
`or after the manual call termination by the first party 201.
`[0029] The first party 201 may accept or decline use of the
`messaging service. The acceptance and declination detection
`module 203c may, for example, detect the acceptance or the
`declination of the messaging service by the first party 201 by
`an explicit dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) input, an
`implicit predefined timeout, or a subscription of the first party
`201 to the messaging service. On acceptance of the messag(cid:173)
`ing service, the first party 201 may create a message to be sent
`to the second party 205 on the second network 204 using the
`message creation module 202a. The message creation mod(cid:173)
`ule 202a may, for example, enable the first party 201 to create
`
`a text SMS message, and record a voice SMS message, an
`MMS message, or a multimodal message on the communi(cid:173)
`cation device 202.
`[0030] The message database 203/ may store the created
`message. The delivery engine 203d then delivers the created
`message to the second party 205 on the second network 204.
`The delivery engine 203d delivers the created message by
`transmitting the created message to the second party 205 in a
`suitable format. The delivery engine 203d delivers the text
`SMS message in a text SMS format, the recorded voice SMS
`message in a voice SMS message format, the composed
`MMS message in an MMS message format, and the com(cid:173)
`posed multimodal message in a multimodal message format.
`The delivery engine 203d may also deliver a missed call
`notification to the second party 205 if the first party 201
`declines use of the messaging service.
`[0031] The billing engine 203e bills the first party 201 for
`the delivery of the created message. The billing engine 203e
`determines the bill amount to be paid by the first party 201 for
`the delivery of the created message. The billing engine 203e
`does not bill the first party 201 for the communication of the
`availability of the messaging service. The message database
`203/ stores communication information of the messaging
`service, missed call notifications sent to the second party 205,
`and billing information of the first party 201.
`[0032] FIG. 4 exemplarily illustrates a flowchart of the
`steps for completing a call attempt made by a first party 201
`to a second party 205 within a first network 203. Consider
`party "A" who attempts 401 to call party "B". Due to condi(cid:173)
`tions such as occurrence of a busy signal, an out of coverage
`signal, an unreachable signal, congestion of the first network
`203, an unanswered signal from the party "B", or manual
`termination by the party "A", the call attempt may be termi(cid:173)
`nated. The first network 203 detects the termination 402 of the
`call attempt. The first network 203 then queries 403 party "A"
`to use the messaging service. If party "A" declines the use of
`the messaging service, the first network 203 terminates 404
`the call. If party "A" accepts the messaging service, party "A"
`provides 405 message content by typing a text SMS message,
`recording a voice SMS message, an MMS message, or a
`multimodal message on party "A"'s communication device
`202. The first network 203 then delivers 406 the message
`content created by party "A" to party "B". Party "B" then
`retrieves 407 the message content from the first network 203.
`Party "B" may, for example, read the SMS, listen to the voice
`SMS, view the MMS, or view and listen to the multimodal
`message. On retrieval of the created message, party "A" may
`be notified of the receipt 408 by the party "B".
`[0033] Consider an example of a first party 201 John
`attempting to call a second party 205 Jane using a mobile
`phone as a communication device 202. John is a subscriber of
`a first network 203 Networkl and Jane is a subscriber of a
`second network 204 Network2. Alternatively, both John and
`Jane may be subscribers ofNetworkl. When John attempts to
`call Jane, Jane may be out of reach ofNetwork2 and the call
`may be terminated. Networkl detects the termination of the
`call attempt by John and informs John about the availability
`of the messaging service. Networkl may inform John about
`the availability of the messaging service before he manually
`terminates the call by pressing the "END" key on his mobile
`phone. If John manually terminates the call before Networkl
`informs him about the availability of the messaging service,
`Networkl may send John an SMS message or may contact
`John via a voice call to inform him about the availability of the
`
`Petitioner Exhibit 1050, Page 8 of 11
`
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`US 2009/0143085 Al
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`Jun.4,2009
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`4
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`messaging service. John is not billed for the information
`about the availability of the messaging service.
`[0034] Networkl may provide John the option to send a
`message to Jane by pressing the"#" key on his mobile phone.
`If John does not want to send a message to Jane, Networkl
`will send a missed call notification to Jane. Jane receives the
`missed call notification when she comes back into the reach of
`Network2. If John decides to send a message to Jane, he
`creates the message on his mobile phone. Networkl delivers
`the created message to Jane and bills John for the delivery of
`the message.
`[0035]
`It will be readily apparent that the various methods
`and algorithms described herein may be implemented in a
`computer readable medium appropriately programmed for
`general purpose computers and computing devices. Typically
`a processor, fore. g., one or more microprocessors will receive
`instructions from a memory or like device, and execute those
`instructions, thereby performing one or more processes
`defined by those instructions. Further, programs that imple(cid:173)
`ment such methods and algorithms may be stored and trans(cid:173)
`mitted using a variety of media, for e.g., computer readable
`media in a number of manners. In one embodiment, hard(cid:173)
`wired circuitry or custom hardware may be used in place of,
`or in combination with, software instructions for implemen(cid:173)
`tation of the processes of various embodiments. Thus,
`embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of
`hardware and software. A "processor" means any one or more
`microprocessors, Central Processing Unit (CPU) devices,
`computing devices, microcontrollers, digital signal proces(cid:173)
`sors or like devices. The term "computer-readable medium"
`refers to any medium that participates in providing data, for
`example instructions that may be read by a computer, a pro(cid:173)
`cessor or a like device. Such a medium may take many forms,
`including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile
`media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media include,
`for example, optical or magnetic disks and other persistent
`memory volatile media include Dynamic Random Access
`Memory (DRAM), which typically constitutes the main
`memory. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper
`wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise a
`system bus coupled to the processor. Transmission media
`may include or convey acoustic waves, light waves and elec(cid:173)
`tromagnetic emissions, such as those generated during Radio
`Frequency (RF) and Infrared (IR) data communications.
`Common forms of computer-readable media include, for
`example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, hard disk, magnetic
`tape, any other magnetic medium, a Compact Disc-Read
`Only Memory (CD-ROM), Digital Versatile Disc (DVD), any
`other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other
`physical medium with patterns of holes, a Random Access
`Memory (RAM), a Programmable Read Only Memory
`(PROM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory
`(EPROM), an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read
`Only Memory (EEPROM), a flash memory, any other
`memory chip or cartridge, a carrier wave as described here(cid:173)
`inafter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.
`In general, the computer-readable programs may be imple(cid:173)
`mented in any programming language. Some examples of
`languages that can beusedincludeC, C++, C#, NET or JAVA.
`The software programs may be stored on or in one or more
`mediums as an object code. A computer program product
`comprising computer executable instructions embodied in a
`
`computer-readable medium comprises computer parsable
`codes for the implementation of the processes of various
`embodiments.
`[0036] Where databases are described such as the message
`database 203/, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in
`the art that (i) alternative database structures to those
`described may be readily employed, and (ii) other memory
`structures besides databases may be readily employed. Any
`illustrations or descriptions of any sample databases pre(cid:173)
`sented herein are illustrative arrangements for stored repre(cid:173)
`sentations of information. Any number of other arrangements
`may be employed besides those suggested by, e.g., tables
`illustrated in drawings or elsewhere. Similarly, any illustrated
`entries of the databases represent exemplary information
`only; one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the
`number and content of the entries can be different from those
`described herein. Further, despite any depiction of the data(cid:173)
`bases as tables, other formats including relational databases,
`object-based models and/or distributed databases could be
`used to store and manipulate the data types described herein.
`Likewise, object methods or behaviors of a database can be
`used to implement various processes, such as the described
`herein. In addition, the databases may, in a known manner, be
`stored locally or remotely from a device that accesses data in
`such a database.
`[0037] The present invention can be implemented using
`standard wireless telephone devices capable of sending and
`receiving text SMS messages, voice SMS messages, MMS
`messages, multimodal messages and may be extended to
`other device types, and network technologies. Further, the
`present invention is not limited to wireless phones but will
`also work with wired line phones with SMS and MMS capa(cid:173)
`bilities and services over such wired line devices.
`[0038] The present invention may be configured to work in
`a network environment including a computer that is in com(cid:173)
`munication, via a communications network, with one or more
`de