Patent Publication Number: US-2013249667-A1

Title: Communication System and Method

Description:
The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/466,422 filed Mar. 22, 2011, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/466,429 filed Mar. 22, 2011, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention relates to communication systems. 
     Currently, there ways to simultaneously contact many people from a single communication device. Consider the situation where one person, Bob, wants to speak with a plurality of his friends. First, Bob might have his communication device preprogrammed to talk (voice) or send text (data) to a plurality of devices, each corresponding to a plurality of people within in a predetermined group. Further, Bob may have many different communication devices, with this feature, including a land line, a cell phone, a computer and wireless tablet. 
     In the conventional communication system discussed above, if any of Bob&#39;s friends want to contact Bob, they must contact him via Bob&#39;s land line, his cell phone, his computer or his wireless tablet. 
     A conventional communication system has been developed to streamline communication between people, who may have many contacts. This type of system uses a dedicated portal for each person, and will now be described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional communication system. 
     As shown in the figure, communication system  100  includes a communication network  102 . A plurality of users, a sample of which is indicated as users  110 ,  112  and  114  connect to communication system  102  via a plurality of portals, a sample of which is indicated here as portals  104 ,  106  and  108 . 
     Communication system  100  includes public switch telephone network (PSTN)  116 , satellite network  118 , Internet  120  and cellular network  122 . 
     User  110  includes devices  124  and  126 . User  112  includes devices  128 ,  130  and  132 . User  114  includes devices  134  and  136 . 
     PSTN  116  is able to bidirectionally communicate with cellular network  122 , satellite network  118  and internet  120 . Internet  120  is able to bidirectionally communicate with satellite network  118  and cellular network  122 . Cellular network  122  is able to bidirectionally communicate with satellite network  118 . Each of PSTN  116 , cellular network  122 , satellite network  118  and internet  120  is able to communicate with portals  104 ,  106  and  108 . So for purposes of explanation and brevity, portals  104 ,  106  and  108  are able to communicate with communication system  102  by communicating with any of the networks within it. 
     Portals  104 ,  106 , and  108  can bidirectionally communicate with users  110 ,  112 , and  114 , respectively, and with communication network  102 . 
     PSTN  116  includes telephone lines, fiber optic cables, microwave transmission links and undersea telephone cables, all interconnected by, switching centers, thus allowing any telephone in the world to communicate with any other. 
     Satellite network  118  is a system of satellites either fixed in space (geosynchronous satellites) or in orbit around the earth at low altitudes (low earth orbit satellites). 
     Internet  120  is a global system of interconnected computer networks, consisting of millions of private, public, academic, business and government networks connected by a broad array of electronic, wireless and optical networking technologies. 
     Cellular network  122  is a radio network distributed over land areas called cells, and when joined together these cells provide radio coverage over a wide geographic area. This enables a large number of portable devices (mobile phones, pagers, etc.) to communicate with each other and with fixed devices and telephones anywhere in the network. 
     Portals  104 ,  106  and  108  serve as gateways to provide users  110 ,  112  and  114  access to communication network  102 . Users  110 ,  112  and  114  must first connect with portals  104 ,  106  and  108  in order to be routed to one of the networks within communication network  102 . 
     In order to connect with portals  104 ,  106 , and  108 , users  110 ,  112 , and  114  must utilize devices  124 - 136 . Devices  124 - 136  may include land-line telephones, cellular telephones, satellite telephones, pagers, computers, or other devices that can be used to secure a connection with portals  104 ,  106 , and  108  in order to access networks  116 - 122  of communication network  102 . 
     Consider the situation where one person, Bob, wants to speak with another person, Joe. With communication system  100 , Bob would merely need to contact the portal associated with Joe. For example, consider that Bob is user  114 , whereas Joe is user  110 . 
     In operation, user  110  may want to use device  126  (in this case, a cellular phone) to contact device  134  (in this case, a land-line phone) of user  114 . User  110  would use device  126  to connect with portal  104 , which would then connect with cellular network  122  of communication network  102 . The call would then be routed from cellular network  122  to PSTN  116 , then from PSTN  116  to portal  108 . From portal  108 , the call would then be routed to device  136  of user  114  to complete the connection. 
     In some prior art systems, portals  104 ,  106 , and  108  include a unique identifier that must be known in order to make a connection through portals  104 ,  106 , and  108 . For example, the unique identifier may be a telephone number. In operation of these systems, in order for user  110  to use device  126  to contact device  134  of user  114 , user  110  must know the unique identifier associated with portal  108  in order to contact user  114 . Therefore, in addition to knowing the telephone number of device  134 , in order to contact user  114  it is also required to know the contact number of portal  108 , and first make a connection with portal  108  before connecting with user  134 . 
     In another conventional communication system, calls may be forwarded to another device. This type of “call forwarding” is “context-less”: whatever the context, a call is forwarded from A to B. This may not be useful when an incoming communication is text, or video data. 
     What is needed is a system and method for providing a single portal through which communications are routed, thus simplifying the connection process described above. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     The present invention provides is a system and method for providing a single portal through which communications are routed. 
     In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a device is provided for use with a first communication device of a first user, a second communication device of a first user, a third communication device of a second user, a fourth communication device of a third user, a communication network and a registration communication. The third communication device can transmit a first communication to the second communication device by way of the communication network. The fourth communication device can transmit a second communication to the second communication device by way of the communication network. The second communication device can receive the first communication from the communication network. The second communication device can receive the second communication from the communication network. The registration communication is based on the first communication device. The second communication device can further transmit the first communication and can transmit the second communication. The device includes a network communication portion, a device communication portion, a registration portion and a controller. The network communication portion can communicate with the communication network. The device communication portion can communicate with the first communication device, can communicate with the second communication device, can receive the registration communication, can receive the first communication and can receive the second communication. The registration portion can associate the second communication device with the first communication device based on the registration communication. The controller portion can instruct the device communication portion to transmit the first communication to the first communication device and to transmit the second communication to the first communication device. 
     Additional advantages and novel features of the invention are set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional communication system; 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a communication system in accordance with aspects of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of an example centralized communication management system (CCMS) of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a user that communicates via the CCMS of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a plurality of users organized into groups based on the preferences of the user of  FIG. 4 ; 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an attempt to open multiple connections between the user of  FIG. 4  and one of the groups of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a process by which the CCMS of  FIG. 3  determines how to rout an attempt to open the connection of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an attempt to open multiple connections between the user of  FIG. 4  and more than one of the groups of  FIG. 5 ; 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is drawn to a centralized communication management system that provides a single repository of user information. Users input registration information, contact information, contact preferences, address books, availability information and any other information deemed useful to the user. Any communications sent to, or received from, users registered on the system will be routed through the centralized communication system, and decisions regarding how the communication is routed will be made based on the information provided to the system by the user. 
     Aspects of the present invention as discussed above will now be further described in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 2-7 . 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a communication system  200  in accordance with aspects of the present invention. 
     As shown in the figure, communication system  200  includes communication network  102 , centralized communication management system (CCMS)  202  and a plurality of users, a sample of which is indicated here as users  110 ,  112 , and  114 . 
     CCMS  202  is arranged to communicate with each of users  110 ,  112 , and  114  and with communication network  102 . 
     CCMS  202  serves as a gateway to provide users  110 ,  112  and  114  access to communication network  102 . Users  110 ,  112  and  114  must first connect with CCMS  202  in order to be routed to one of the networks within communication network  102 . 
     In operation, user  110  may want to use device  126  (in this case, a cellular phone) to contact device  134  (in this case, a land-line phone) of user  114 . User  110  would use device  126  to connect with CCMS  202 , which would then connect with cellular network  122  of communication network  102 . The call would then be routed from cellular network  122  to PSTN  116 , then from PSTN  116  back to CCMS  202 . From CCMS  202 , the call would then be routed to device  136  of user  114  to complete the connection. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of an example CCMS  202  of  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , CCMS  202  includes a controller portion  310 , a network communication portion  300 , a device communication portion  302 , a user interface portion  304 , a memory portion  306  and a registration portion  308 . 
     Controller  310  is operable to bidirectionally communicate with network communication portion  300 , device communication portion  302 , user interface portion  304 , memory portion  306  and registration portion  308 . User interface portion  304  is operable to bidirectionally communicate with memory  306  and registration portion  308 . 
     Controller  310  controls interactions between the individual portions of CCMS  202 . Controller  310  analyzes information provided to it by network communication portion  300 , device communication portion  302 , user interface portion  304 , memory portion  306  and registration portion  308  and determines actions that should be taken based on the available information. 
     Network communication portion  300  is operable to bidirectionally communicate with communication network  102  and provide controller  310  information regarding communications with communication network  102 . 
     Device communication portion  302  is operable to bidirectionally communicate with users  110 ,  112  and  114  and provide controller  310  information regarding communications with users  110 ,  112  and  114 . 
     User interface portion  304  is operable to bidirectionally communicate with users  110 ,  112  and  114 . Users  110 ,  112  and  114  input information regarding their profiles to user interface portion  304 , and user interface portion  304  may provide feedback to users  110 ,  112  and  114  regarding the information. Information may include the addition of user contacts, grouping of the user contacts into specific groups, availability of the user to receive calls from the user contacts, or any other information that may be useful in streamlining the communication process for the user. Users  110 ,  112  and  114  can input information into user interface portion  304  via mobile phone, satellite phone, the Internet, or other mediums that allow for information to be exchanged. 
     Memory portion  306  is operable to save information provided to user interface portion  304 , and provide controller  310  access to the information. In essence, a user may be able to interface with controller  310  by way of user interface portion  304 . 
     Registration portion  308  is operable to receive information provided to user interface portion  304  and complete a registration process. During the registration process, the user will upload information to user interface portion  308  using a mobile device or computer. Registration information generated during the registration process is accessible to controller  310 . This upload may be considered a registration communication. 
     For example, registration portion  308  may include a lookup table that includes numerous data portions. One data portion, for example, may include a user ID and password that is chosen by the user during the registration process. The user ID is a unique identifier that can be assigned to only one user, and is used by the user to update or modify information entered during the registration process. 
     A second data portion may include all the contact information the user would like to associate with the chosen user ID. For example, the user may register home, office and mobile phone numbers, personal and work e-mail addresses, and any other manner by which the user could be contacted. 
     A third data portion may include preferences for access to the telephone numbers. For example, if the user registers three telephone numbers, access to telephone number 1 may be limited to family members, access to telephone number 2 may be limited to friends, and access to telephone number 3 may be limited to co-workers. 
     A fourth data portion may include preferences for what action to take if the user is not available or does not answer a phone call. Preferences may include forwarding a phone call to a different number, forwarding a phone call to a voice mail system, or automatically sending a text message as a notification that the user is currently unavailable. 
     A fifth data portion may include the daily calendar of the user. Access to the calendar is provided to registration portion  308  by the user, and the calendar may be synced with registration portion  308  as specified by the user. 
     A sixth data portion may include the communication route based on the context of a call. For example, depending on the caller, the user&#39;s location, the user&#39;s availability, the time, or even based on information of urgency that could be given by the caller, the user may be able to input a specific “route” which will be the best way to be reached. For example, the user may indicate that all voice calls are forwarded to a cell phone, whereas all image and video data are forwarded to the user&#39;s portable tablet device. 
     The data portions discussed above are non-limiting examples, and in use the types of information that can be input by the user during the registration process may include other data portions. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates user  400  that communicates via CCMS  202  of  FIG. 2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , user  400  possesses a plurality of connection devices  402 - 410  that can be used to access communication networks  100  of  FIG. 2 . 
     Devices  402 - 410  may include land-line telephones, cellular telephones, satellite telephones, pagers, computers, or other devices that can be used for communication. User  400  may add, change or delete communication devices from the user profile by communicating the changes to CCMS  202 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a plurality of users  506 - 526  organized into groups  500 - 504  based on the preferences of user  400  of  FIG. 4 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , group  500  includes users  506 ,  508  and  510 . Group  502  includes users  512 ,  514 ,  516  and  518 . Group  504  includes users  520 ,  522 ,  524  and  526 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , user  400  can organize and reorganize groups. Group choices of user  400  are entered into CCMS  202  via user interface portion  304 , and those choices are routed through controller  310  to memory portion  306 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 5 , how groups are organized is left to the discretion of the user. For purposes of illustration, group  500  may be family members of user  400 , group  502  may be coworkers of user  400  and group  504  may be friends of user  400 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates an attempt to open multiple connections between user  400  of FIG. and one of groups  500 - 504  of  FIG. 5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 6 , user  400  attempts to call group  504  via device  402 . Device  402  routs the attempted call information through CCMS  202  via communication channel  600 . CCMS  202  attempts to contact users  520 - 526  of group  504  via communication channels  602 - 608 . If connections are made with at least one of users  520 - 526 , CCMS  202  will then contact device  402  of user  400  via communication channel  610  to complete the connection between user  400  and group  504 . In an example scenario, the call initiated by user  400  is routed to each of users  520 - 526 , and user  520  answers the call first. CCMS  202  then contacts device  402  of user  400  via communication channel  610 , and user  400  answers the call. User  520  is now speaking with user  400 . Users  522  and  524  also answer the call and join users  520  and  400  on the call already in progress. User  526  does not answer the call, and eventually CCMS  202  stops attempting to connect with user  526  and closes communication channel  604 . User  520  may need to hang up earlier than other users, which will not impact the connection between users  522 ,  524 , and  400 . However, if user  400  hangs up, all other callers will be disconnected as well, because user  400  initiated the call. This process will be further described with reference to  FIG. 7 . 
     If CCMS  202  is unsuccessful in making a connection with at least one of users  920 - 926 , CCMS  202  will notify user  400  via a voice message, text message, email or any other communication method preferred by user  400 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a process  700  by which the CCMS  202  of  FIG. 3  determines how to rout an attempt to open the connection of  FIG. 6 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 6 , process  700  starts (S 700 ) and user  400  initiates a call to users  520 - 526  of group  504  (S 702 ) that originates from device  402  via communication channel  600 . The call may originate from a land line, mobile phone, satellite phone or other communication device. 
     It can also be appreciated that the attempt to connect to user  400  may not require a phone. Connection attempts may be made via email or other connection method, but for purposes of brevity the process will be described as a phone call. The same process would apply if an alternative connection method were employed. 
     Returning to  FIG. 6 , communication channel  600  sends the call information to CCMS  202  (S 704 ). 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , call information is received by device communication portion  302  of CCMS  202 . Device communication portion  302  then sends the call information to controller  310 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 6 , CCMS  202  then opens connections with one or more of users  520 - 526  of group  504  via communication channels  602 - 608  (S 706 ). 
     CCMS  202  then must determine the preferred device for user  400  to communicate with users  520 - 526  of group  504  (S 708 ). 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , controller  310  forwards the call information to memory portion  306 . Memory portion  306  evaluates the preferences of user  400  that were entered via user interface portion  304  and stored in memory portion  306  to determine the preferred device for user  400  to communicate with users  520 - 526  of group  504 . 
     If memory portion  306  determines that device  402  is the preferred device, memory  306  forwards that information to controller  310 . Controller  310  then instructs device communication portion  302  to connect to user  400  via device  402  (S 710 ) and process  800  ends (S 712 ). 
     If memory portion  306  determines that device  402  is not the preferred device, memory  306  determines the preferred source device (S 714 ) and forwards that information to controller  310 . In this example, the preferred source for a call to user  500  that is initiated by user  400  is device  402 . Controller  310  then instructs device communication portion  302  to connect to user  400  via device  402 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 7 , the call is routed through device  402  (S 716 ) via communication channel  610 , and process  700  ends (S 712 ). 
       FIG. 8  illustrates an attempt to open multiple connections between user  400  of  FIG. 4  and more than one of groups  500 - 504  of  FIG. 5 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , user  400  initiates a request to open multiple connections with users  522  and  526  of group  504  and user  508  of group  500  via device  402 . The request is forwarded to CCMS  202  via communication channel  800 . In a manner similar to those previously described in  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , CCMS  202  will determine if device  402  is the device through which the connections should be established. If the preferred device is not device  402 , CCMS  202  will rout the communication through the preferred device. In this example, the preferred device is device  402 . 
     CCMS  202  attempts to contact users  508 ,  522  and  526  via communication channels  802 ,  804 , and  806 , respectively. If connections are made with at least one of users  508 ,  522  or  526 , CCMS  202  will then contact user  400  via communication channel  808  to complete the connection between user  400  and at least one of users  508 ,  522  and  526 . In an example scenario, the call initiated by user  400  is routed to each of users  508 ,  522  and  526 , and user  522  answers the call first. CCMS  202  then contacts device  402  of user  400  via communication channel  610 , and user  400  answers the call. User  522  is now speaking with user  400 . User  508  also answers the call and joins users  522  and  400  on the call already in progress. User  526  does not answer the call, and eventually CCMS  202  stops attempting to connect with user  526  and closes communication channel  604 . User  522  may need to hang up earlier than other users, which will not impact the connection between users  508  and  400 . However, if user  400  hangs up, all other callers will be disconnected as well, because user  400  initiated the call. 
     If CCMS  202  is unsuccessful in making a connection with at least one of users  508 ,  522  or  526 , CCMS  202  will notify user  400  via a voice message, text message, email or any other communication method preferred by user  400 . 
     The foregoing description of various preferred embodiments of the invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The example embodiments, as described above, were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto.