Patent ID: 9661139
Date: 2017-05-23
CPC Classifications: G10L,H04L,H04M

Claim:
1. A method of controlling a conversation in an ambient telephone environment having a plurality of spaces including a respective plurality of local terminals with a first terminal of the plurality of local terminals connected to a telecommunications network for enabling communication with at least one remote terminal, the method comprising acts of: obtaining signals communicating a conversation between a local user of the first terminal of the plurality of local terminals and a second user of one of a second terminal of the plurality of local terminals and the at least one remote terminal, the local terminals including at least one device of a plurality of devices; analyzing the signals over time in relation to each other for detecting, based on at least one criterion, an interaction of a type corresponding to conversational turn-taking; upon detecting the interaction of the type corresponding to the conversational turn-taking, inferring a position of the local user based on known positions of the at least one device of the first terminal on which the conversation is detected; communicating an identification, availability, and location associated with the local user; adjusting at least one output signal for controlling the at least one device upon determining whether the at least one criterion is met; detecting a remote conversation relayed through a master device of the ambient telephone environment between two remote users of two remote terminals located external to the ambient telephone environment and not involving any users located within the ambient telephone environment; in response to the act of detecting the remote conversation, transmitting a message by the master device informing the remote users that a direct conversation is possible; and in response to acceptance of the message, establishing a new call between the two remote users, wherein the new call is no longer relayed through the master device.