Abstract:
In some embodiments, methods comprise: receiving a communication request from the IM client using a first server; delivering the received communication request to the mobile phone using the first server; recording information regarding the communication request; receiving a communication response from the mobile phone; associating the received response from the mobile phone with the communication request from the IM client based on the recorded information; and sending the received communication response to the IM client. In some embodiments, methods comprise: receiving a call from a mobile phone at a first server, wherein the call is made by dialing a number from the mobile phone, the number indicating that an IM client is an intended recipient of the call and identifying the IM client; sending a communication request to the IM client based on the received call using the first server.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to provisional patent Application No. 60/717,715, entitled, “System and Methods for Initiating Communication between IM Clients and Mobile Clients” filed on Sep. 16, 2005, and to provisional patent Application No. 60/728,232, entitled, “System and Methods for Initiating Communication between IM Clients and Mobile Clients” filed on Oct. 19, 2005, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to computer-to-mobile communications, and more particularly to a systems and methods for initiating multimedia calls between Instant Messaging (IM) clients and mobile (wireless) communication clients. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     IM-to-mobile phone call services allow IM clients on various computer hardware and software platforms (e.g., ICQ™, Microsoft Network (MSN) Messenger™, Yahoo Messenger™, Skype™) to communicate with mobile systems on cellular (wireless) networks. Such services have been implemented, for example, by Skype Limited, under the SkypeOut™ brand name. However, any connection enabled by such services raises billing problems. Particularly, it raises the question of who should bear the cost of the communication—whether it should be the initiator of the call; the recipient; or both of them. In the case of both the initiator and the recipient bearing the cost, a further question is what portions of the cost should be borne by each. 
     Conventionally, billing of IM-to-mobile calls is achieved in a number of different ways. Under the MSN Messenger™ model, the IM client can send instant messages to cellular devices for free. The instant messages are then translated into Short Message Service (SMS) messages. In this case, the service costs are typically borne by the cellular operator, but the responses by the mobile client are always subject to payment. In other words, only one party to the communication is required to pay for its share. Under a second model, the cellular customer may also be subject to payment for incoming SMS messages. This service is for message exchange only. 
     Yet another billing model is provided by the Skype™ software. Using the software, a user of the SkypeOut™ service can initiate Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) voice calls or mobile (or cellular) voice calls to a standard handset in certain countries from his IM client. Unlike computer-to-computer IM communication services, users do have to pay for this kind of service. In addition, the IM users are required to register in advance and to provide credit card numbers as a condition for using the system. 
     Conventional billing solutions described above have certain drawbacks. Having the recipient of the call bear the costs of the communication under the MSN Messenger™ model may expose the recipient for payment for unsolicited calls, which may negatively affect the number of users wishing to connect to the service. 
     Having the initiator of the call bear the costs of the communication, fully or partially, is equally problematic. IM services are usually provided on the Internet for free, and hence users may be reluctant to bear the cost of such communication. Additionally, billing IM users requires registration and provision of billing methods (such as credit card details), which may negatively affect the number of users willing to join such service. Therefore, it is desirable to provide IM-to-mobile phone services without burdening the users with pre-registration requirements and/or costs on unsolicited messages or calls. 
     Another problem with conventional technology is that a mobile phone user is prevented from initiating IM communication with an IM user. More particularly, mobile phones do not include any mechanism through which a user can enter the IM address of the IM user. For example, mobile phones typically utilize E.164-based numbering mechanisms (i.e., using digits, * symbol, and # symbol) to setup a conversation (typically using the Q.931 protocol). Addressing in the IM space, and in the Internet in general, is done using Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) and/or Uniform Resource Locator (URL) types of addresses and/or email addresses (which use both letters and digits). This makes it impossible to enter an IM address in typical mobile phones. Moreover, even if E.164-based numbering mechanisms could be used to identify IM address, the volume of IM addresses would require very long E.164 addresses. Therefore, it is desirable to provide IM-to-mobile phone services where both the IM user and the mobile phone user can initiate calls. Embodiments of the present invention are directed to these and other important objectives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for initiating communication between IM clients and mobile phones. Using various embodiments of the present invention, IM-to-mobile phone services can be provided without requiring an IM user to pre-register and without burdening the mobile phone users with unsolicited messages or calls. Various embodiments of the present invention also enable mobile phone users to initiate communication with IM users. 
     In some embodiments, methods for initiating communication between an Instant Messaging (IM) client and a mobile phone are provided, the methods comprising: receiving a communication request from the IM client using a first server; delivering the received communication request to the mobile phone using the first server; recording information regarding the communication request; receiving a communication response from the mobile phone; associating the received response from the mobile phone with the communication request from the IM client based on the recorded information; and sending the received communication response to the IM client. 
     In some embodiments, systems for initiating communication between an IM client and a mobile phone are provided, the systems comprising: a first server coupled with a computer network and a telephone network, wherein the IM client is coupled with the computer network and the mobile phone is coupled with the telephone network; wherein, the first server is configured to receive a communication request from the IM client, deliver the received communication request to the mobile phone, record information regarding the communication request, receive a communication response from the mobile phone, associate the received response from the mobile phone with the communication request from the IM client based on the recorded information, and send the received communication response to the IM client. 
     In some embodiments, methods for initiating communication between an IM client and a mobile phone are provided, the methods comprising: receiving a call from a mobile phone at a first server, wherein the call is made by dialing a number from the mobile phone, the number indicating that an IM client is an intended recipient of the call and identifying the IM client; sending a communication request to the IM client based on the received call using the first server. 
     In some embodiments, systems for initiating communication between an IM client and a mobile phone are provided, the systems comprising: a first server coupled with a computer network and a telephone network, wherein the IM client is coupled with the computer network and the mobile phone is coupled with the telephone network; wherein the first server is configured to receive a call from a mobile phone, the call being made by dialing a number from the mobile phone, the number indicating that an IM client is an intended recipient of the call and identifying the IM client; wherein the first server is configured to send a communication request to the IM client based on the received call. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The Detailed Description of the Invention, including the description of various embodiments of the invention, will be best understood when read in reference to the accompanying figures wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a flow diagram illustrating the initiation of IM communication from an IM client to a mobile phone, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a flow diagram illustrating the initiation of IM communication from a mobile phone to an IM client, according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a system including an (Intelligent Network) IN server according to various embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a system including a multimedia gateway and a Short Message Service (SMS) gateway, according to various embodiments of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating a system including an IN server and a multimedia gateway, according to various embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for initiating communication between IM clients and mobile clients. In accordance with the present invention, an IM user at an IM client may initiate a call with a mobile user at a mobile client by sending the mobile client a sign or message (e.g., such as an SMS message) asking the mobile user to call-back the IM client and thereby initiate an IM-mobile call automatically. 
     More particularly, as illustrated in the flow diagram of  FIG. 1 , an IM user (not shown) at an IM client  10  may desire to communicate via IM with a mobile user (not shown) at a mobile phone  16 . Communicating via IM may include simple text IM, voice IM, video IM, or any combination of the same. In order to initiate communication, IM client  10  may send a suitable IM message  20  to IM server  12 . IM server  12  may then send a special message  22  based on IM message  20  to an intelligent network (IN) server  14  in a mobile network. IM server  12  may be any suitable server for implementing instant messaging, or may be omitted when appropriate (in which case IM message  20  may be sent directly to IN server  14 ). Special message  22  may be a proprietary message, a non-propriety message, a suitable IM message (and may be the same as IM message  20 ), etc., for setting up an IM conversation between IM server  12  and IN server  14 . IN server  14  may then send an SMS message  24  to mobile phone  16 . SMS message  24  is based on special message  22  and may be associated with an identification number (e.g., a phone number). The identification number can be used for identifying the IM user at IM client  10 , for identifying the desired IM conversation, for indicating a generic acceptance of an incoming IM conversation request, and/or for performing any other suitable function. 
     Upon receiving the SMS message  24 , the mobile user may decide to accept the IM conversation request and press a suitable button (e.g., a “send” button) on mobile phone  16 . In response to this, mobile phone  16  may initiate a call  26  to IN server  14 . This call may be placed to the identification number associated with SMS message  24 . IN server  14  may then recognize call  26  as corresponding to the IM conversation request based upon the identification number called. Alternatively, IN server  14  may recognize the call as corresponding to the IM conversation request based upon the relative time between SMS message  24  and call  26 , based upon the absence of an intermediate call, and/or based upon any other suitable factor(s). IN server  14  may then send a suitable IM message  28  to IM server  12 . For example, IM message  28  may be a message indicating that the mobile user is accepting the IM conversation request. The IM message  28  may alternatively be any suitable special message. Finally, IM server  12  may send an IM message  30  to IM client  10  and thereby initiate the IM conversation. 
     To facilitate the IM conversation, IN server  14  may convert call  26  to any suitable format depending on the capabilities of mobile phone  16 . For example, call  26  may be converted to a multi-media call, a voice only call, a web browsing call, etc. 
     In addition, embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods that enable a mobile phone user to initiate IM communication with an IM user. According to various embodiments as illustrated in the flow diagram of  FIG. 2 , a mechanism is provided to convert calls to special phone numbers to IM addresses. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , this may be accomplished by a mobile user (not shown) at mobile phone  16  calling a special number such as “*55501”. Within this number “*555” represents any suitable prefix to designate that the mobile user would like to make an IM call and “01” represents a number corresponding to a suitable “buddy.” To enable each user to have multiple stored “buddies,” a range of addresses, such as “*55501”-“*55599,” may be provide to each user. The same set of numbers may be used by different users. In addition to this example, any other suitable numbering scheme could be implemented. 
     In response to the call initiated by the mobile user from mobile phone  16 , IN server  14  may send a suitable IM message  34  to IM server  12 . IM server  12  may then send a suitable IM message  36  to IM client  10 . The IM user at IM client  10  may then respond to the IM message  36  by sending an IM message  38  to IM server  12 . An IM conversation may then be established and IM messages  40  can be relayed between IM server  12  and IN server  14  in any suitable fashion. IM messages  40  may be transferred to mobile phone  16  as part of a call  42 , which may be converted to any suitable form by IN server  14  depending on the capabilities of mobile phone  16 . For example, call  42  may be converted to a multi-media call, a voice only call, a web browsing call, etc. 
     Although this example is illustrated in the context of making an IM call from a mobile phone, this technique could also be applied to sending an email from a mobile phone, or for any other suitable purpose. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram illustrating one example of a system for implementing various embodiments of the present invention. As shown, the system includes an IM client  10  and an IM server  12  connected to network  44 . IM client  10  can be any type of device that implements IM. For example, IM client  10  can be a personal computer (PC) with IM software installed. Computer network  44  could be any suitable computer network or combination of networks, and may include the Internet, local area networks, wide area networks, dial-up connections, wireless connection, DSL connection, cable connections, satellite connections, etc. Computer network  44  may be in communication with IN server  14 , which may be in connection with telephone network  46 . 
     Telephone network  46  may be any suitable telephone network or combination of networks, and may include a PSTN network, a private network, a wireless network, a satellite network, the Internet, etc. Telephone network  46  may also be connected to, integrated with, or part of a mobile network  48  that communicates with mobile phone  16 . Mobile network  48  may be any suitable mobile communication network including, but not limited to, cellular networks, GSM networks, and/or satellite networks. As should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented using any other suitable system. 
     If desired, certain functions of IM server  12  and IN server  14  described above may be performed by the other of IN server  14  and IM server  12 , by IM client  10 , and/or by mobile phone  16 . For example, IM server functions may be implemented in IN server  14 , and/or vice versa. As should be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art, many modifications to the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a diagram depicting a system of various embodiments of the present invention. In  FIG. 4 , an IM user  411  at an IM client  410  may desire to initiate communication (e.g., a multimedia call) from IM client  410  with a mobile user  413  at a mobile phone  416 . Communicating via IM may include text, voice, video (which may be still or moving), and/or any combination of the same. 
     To initiate communication, user  411  at IM client  410  may select the mobile user  413  (e.g., using a “buddy” list or any other suitable mechanism) and thus cause client  410  to send a message to IM server  412  via computer network (e.g., Internet)  427 . IM server  412  may be any suitable server for implementing IM. IM server  412  may be omitted when appropriate, e.g., in a peer-to-peer IM environment. In this case, messages from IM client  410  may be sent directly to SMS gateway  414  or mobile phone  416 , as set forth below). 
     After receiving the message from client  410 , IM Server  412  may determine if mobile user  413  (or mobile phone  416 ) is online. If IM server  412  determines that mobile phone  416  is online, the IM server may send a suitable IM message to user  413  prompting him of the incoming IM conversation request. Otherwise, if IM server  412  determines that user  413  is not online, IM server  412  may then send a message to SMS gateway  414  requesting it to notify mobile phone  416  of the IM conversation request. SMS gateway  414  may be any suitable gateway for connecting an IM environment to an SMS environment, and may be located on the border of, or may be otherwise be connected to, a mobile network (e.g., network  428 ). 
     In addition to the function described above, SMS gateway  414  may translate audio/video codecs and other communication characteristics that differ between the networks (e.g., converting the AMR codec in a 324M network to/from iLBC/G.723 audio or other codecs used in the IM network), translate other audio and video characteristics (e.g., perform video rate matching), insert information into the conversation (e.g., such as advertisements (e.g., to keep costs low), call information, or emergency bulletins), and/or perform any other suitable functions. Alternatively, SMS gateway  414  may be omitted when appropriate (in which case IM server  412  (in a client-server configuration) or IM client  410  (in a peer-to-peer configuration) may send a message to an IM client (not shown) that resides on mobile phone  416 ). 
     Upon receiving a communication request, SMS gateway  414  may send an SMS message to mobile phone  416  via mobile telephone network  428 . Telephone network  428  can be, e.g., a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) network. The SMS message may include information that identifies to what telephone number (e.g., call back number) mobile phone  416  may call in order to initiate communication (e.g., a multimedia call) between mobile phone  416  and IM client  410 . The SMS message may also include information identifying the IM user  411  at IM client  410 , indicating the cost for initiating the conversation, or indicating any other suitable information. SMS gateway  414  may store suitable information in a database  417  to subsequently complete initiation of the IM conversation should user  413  respond to the SMS message. 
     Upon receiving the SMS message, user  413  may decide to continue initiation of the IM conversation. This may be accomplished by calling multimedia gateway  415  at the call back number indicated in the SMS message (for example, by pressing the “send” button on mobile phone  416  in response to the displayed message). 
     Multimedia gateway  415  may then determine the identity of the IM conversation. This determination may be based on the phone number of mobile phone  416  (as indicated by caller-id), and/or the number called, and/or any other suitable information. Gateway  415  may also access data previously stored in database  417  (such as which IM conversation(s) corresponds to a particular mobile phone  416 ). For example, gateway  415  may query database  417  to translate the called number to a valid URI. After identifying the IM conversation, multimedia gateway  415  may connect the call of mobile phone  416  to the IM conversation, and hence IM client  410 , either directly or via IM server  412 . 
     A variety of protocols may be used to establish the IM conversation as set forth above. For example, communication links  420 ,  421 ,  422 ,  423  between IM client  410 , IM server  412 , SMS gateway  414 , and multimedia gateway  415  can be based on Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) or any suitable proprietary protocol. Communication link  425  between SMS gateway  414  and network  428  may be based on Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol. Communication link  426  between network  428  and mobile phone  416  may be based on 3G-324M/radio protocol. The communication link between network  428  and multimedia gateway  415  may be based on 3G-324M/E1 protocol. Any other suitable protocols may additionally or alternatively be used in accordance with the present invention. The messages exchanged as described above may be any suitable messages. For example, the messages may be proprietary messages, non-propriety messages, suitable IM messages, etc. 
     Network  427  may be any suitable computer network or combinations of the same. For example, network  427  may include the Internet, an intranet, a local area network, a wide area network, a wired network, a wireless network, etc. As shown in  FIG. 4 , any suitable firewall  419  may also be present to protect SMS gateway  414  and multimedia gateway  415  from unauthorized activity. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram illustrating another system that enables a mobile phone user to initiate IM communication with an IM user, according to various embodiments of the present invention. To initiate the IM communication, mobile user  413  at mobile phone  416  can call a special number indicating that the user would like to make an IM call and indicating the recipient of the call. While an example has been given in connection to  FIG. 2 , any suitable numbering scheme could be implemented. These special numbers may be associated with IM addresses using any suitable mechanism. For example, a Web page interface that can be accessed using a browser on a mobile phone or computer can be used to allow users to enter numbers and corresponding IM addresses. In addition, SMS messages, Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, and/or any other suitable mechanism can be used for the same purpose. 
     This call made by dialing the special number may be routed by mobile telephone network  428  to IN server  430 . Network  428  can be a UMTS mobile telephone network. IN server  430  may then forward the call to a suitable multimedia gateway  432 . Multimedia gateway  432  may then access database  434  to determine what IM address to use. This determination may be based, for example, on the telephone number of mobile phone  416 , the number dialed, and/or on any other suitable information. For example, if mobile phone  416  has a telephone number of (555) 123-4567, and mobile user  413  calls “*55501,” the database may be used to determine that “*55501” for number (555) 123-4567 corresponds to an IM address “johnsmith” on AOL&#39;s Instant Messenger service. Database  434  may be any suitable database and may be connected to multimedia gateway  432  and may include any suitable mechanism for loading addresses into the database (e.g., such as a Web server). 
     After determining what IM address to use, multimedia gateway  432  may send a suitable message to IM server  412  via network  427 . IM server  412  may then send a suitable IM message to IM client  410  also via computer network  427  to initiate the IM conversation. IM user  411  at IM client  410  may then accept the IM conversation and proceed as known in the art. Although this example is illustrated in the context of making an IM call, this technique could also be applied to sending an email from a mobile phone, or for any other suitable purpose. 
     A variety of protocols may be used to establish the IM conversation as set forth above. For example, communication link  436  between mobile phone  416  and network  428  can be based on 3G-324M/radio protocol. Communication link  438  between network  428  and multimedia gateway  432  may be based on 3G-324M/E1 protocol. Communication links  440 ,  444 ,  446  between multimedia gateway  432 , IM server  412  and IM client  410  can be based on SIP or any suitable proprietary protocol. Any other suitable protocol or combinations of protocols could additionally or alternatively be used in accordance with the invention. Any suitable firewall  419  may also be present to protect server  430  and/or multimedia gateway  432  from unauthorized activity. 
     Other embodiments, extensions, and modifications of the ideas presented above are comprehended and within the reach of one skilled in the art upon reviewing the present disclosure. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention in its various aspects should not be limited by the examples and embodiments presented above. The individual aspects of the present invention, and the entirety of the invention should be regarded so as to allow for modifications and future developments within the scope of the present disclosure. The present invention is limited only by the claims that follow.