Abstract:
The present invention discloses a communication method and system, which can include a step of repetitively conveying presence information to a service provider to continuously update a current location of a person identified within the presence information. A communication attempt directed towards the person can be detected. A communication device proximate to the person can be determined based upon the presence information. The communication device can be accessible by any proximate individual. The communication device can be one not specifically designated by an originator of the communication attempt. A notification of the communication attempt can be presented in an environment proximate to the determined communication device. The communication can be established responsive to the person answering the notification by activating the communication device.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications, more specifically to delivering telephony communications to devices proximate to a recipient after automatically determining the recipient&#39;s location. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    While mobile phones have made it possible to receive calls while traveling, there is still a gap in telecommunications coverage not satisfied by mobile telephones. For example, mobile phone users are generally unable to receive facsimile messages directed to them. Further, mobile phone communications can perform sporadically from area to area. When a mobile phone user is in an area that does not have cellular reception, the user may not receive calls. In some areas, such as airplanes, theaters, and the like, mobile phones must or should be turned off, making these areas approximately equivalent to those having no reception. In other areas, calls can be received but at a higher cost due to roaming charges from using non-native service provider networks. Also, areas exist where mobile calls can be received, but with diminished clarity than that achieved through a line based communication. 
         [0005]    In areas where it is not favorable to use mobile phones, travelers have often relied on public access points, such as pay phones, to make phone calls. An availability of public access points or other line-based telephony devices has not historically helped travelers with incoming communications. It would be advantageous to travelers and other roaming individuals to be able to leverage proximate telephony devices to receive incoming communications. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention discloses a solution for delivering telephony communications to devices proximate to a recipient after automatically determining the recipient&#39;s location. In the solution, a user can carry a location determination device, generically referred to herein as a location beacon. In one embodiment, digital messages or signals from the location beacon can be wirelessly received by proximate telephony devices which transmit presence information concerning the user to a service provider. In another embodiment, a single mobile device, such as a GPS equipped phone, can be used to locate the user and to convey this information to a service provider. The service provider can maintain a database of user locations and proximate telephony devices. 
         [0007]    When callers attempt to communicate with one of these users, the service provider can direct the call to a telephony device proximate to the intended recipient. In one embodiment, this feature can operate as a more dynamic variant of call-forwarding. An intended recipient can be informed of the incoming call in numerous ways, such as through a ringing of the telephony device, a generated speech message, a message appearing upon a nearby visual display, and the like. The intended recipient can answer the telephony device and utilize it to communicate with the caller. 
         [0008]    The present invention can be implemented in accordance with numerous aspects consistent with the material presented herein. For example, one aspect of the present invention can include a communication method including a step where presence information associated with a target recipient is conveyed across a network to a data store. A communication request can be received from an originator directed towards a target recipient. A geographical location of a target recipient can be determined by querying the data store of presence information. An available communication device proximate to the geographical location can be ascertained. This device can have a device identifier not specified within the communication request. A communication can be initiated with the ascertained communication device. Responsive to the device being activated, a communication can be established between the ascertained device and the originator. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention can include a communication system including a presence information data store and a communication service provider. The presence information data store can be continuously updated with information specifying an identity and a geographical location of multiple people. The presence information data store can store a set of device records indicating a location and a contact identifier for a set of communication devices. The communication service provider can accept communication attempts from an originator directed towards a target recipient. The service provider can also determine a geographical location of the target recipient by querying the presence information data store. A proximate communication device can be determined by comparing the device records against the determined geographical location. The service provider can send a communication initiation to the proximate communication device. A communication can be established between the originator and the proximate communication device once the communication initiation has been accepted. 
         [0010]    Still another aspect of the present invention can include a communication method including a step of repetitively conveying presence information to a service provider to continuously update a current location of a person identified within the presence information. A communication attempt directed towards the person can be detected. A communication device proximate to the person can be determined based upon the presence information. The communication device can be accessible by any proximate individual. The communication device can be one not specifically designated by an originator of the communication attempt. A notification of the communication attempt can be presented in an environment proximate to the determined communication device. The communication can be established responsive to the person answering the notification by activating the communication device. 
         [0011]    It should be noted that various aspects of the invention can be implemented as a program for controlling computing equipment to implement the functions described herein, or as a program for enabling computing equipment to perform processes corresponding to the steps disclosed herein. This program may be provided by storing the program in a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or any other recording medium. The program can also be provided as a digitally encoded signal conveyed via a carrier wave. The described program can be a single program or can be implemented as multiple subprograms, each of which interact within a single computing device or interact in a distributed fashion across a network space. 
         [0012]    It should also be noted that the methods detailed herein can also be methods performed at least in part by a service agent and/or a machine manipulated by a service agent in response to a service request. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    There are shown in the drawings, embodiments which are presently preferred, it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for telecommunications delivery to a proximate device via proximity detection in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a method for telecommunications delivery to a proximate device via proximity detection in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for telecommunications delivery to a proximate device via proximity detection in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system for telecommunications delivery to a proximate device via proximity detection in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  100  for telecommunications delivery to a proximate device via proximity detection in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. In system  100 , a user  110  can be associated with a location beacon  112 , which sends an identifying message  160  to a beacon detector  120 . Beacon detector  120  processes the message  160  to determine a user identity and a user location. In one embodiment, the detector  120  can be in a known location, which is used to triangulate or otherwise determine the user location. After processing, presence information  162  indicating the user  110  and his/her location is conveyed though a telephony device  124  or other network element over network  150  to service provider  130 . The service provider  130  can manage the presence information in a data store  132 , which also tracks locations of one or more telephony devices  124 . As a user  110  moves, his/her location dynamically changes, which results in updates (new presence information  162 ) continuously being received by the service provider  130 , which updates data store  132  appropriately. 
         [0019]    A caller  140  can contact the service provider  130  with a call request  164  directed towards user  110 . A setting maintained by provider  130  can indicate that calls for user  110  are to be directed to telephony devices  124  proximate to the user  110 . After consulting data store  132 , the provider  130  can determine at least one proximate telephony device  124  to which the call from caller  140  is to be directed. The provider  130  can issue a call  166  for the user  110 . A notifier  122  linked to the telephony device  124  can inform the user  110  of the incoming communication. The user  110  can utilize the telephony device  124  to engage in the telephony communication. 
         [0020]    It should be noted that the system  100  is not limited to handling voice-based telephone communications, but can also be used to handle facsimile messages, dispatch communications (two-way radio), video teleconferencing, chat communications, text-messages, email, and the like. Further, different communicators (user  110  and caller  140 ) can utilize different communication modalities (e.g., user  110  uses text messaging modality and caller  140  uses a voice modality), which are dynamically converted as necessary by a converter (not shown). 
         [0021]    In one embodiment, security measurements can be incorporated into system  100 , such as only permitting communications while the identification beacon  112  is within X feet of the telephony device  124 , which can prevent unintended recipients from engaging in the caller  140  initiated communication. Biometric identification with device  124  and/or use of a passcode can also be used for enhancing security. 
         [0022]    As used in system  100 , an identification beacon  112  can include passive, semi-active, and active mechanisms used to ascertain locations and/or information about an associated device or user  110 . A location beacon  112  can internally determine a location of the user  110  or can be used in conjunction with one or more detectors  120  to determine a location. Location beacons  112  can include Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags, Global Positioning System (GPS) transceivers, BLUETOOTH transceivers, WIFI transceivers, and other such devices. 
         [0023]    For example, the location beacon  112  can include an RFID tag embedded within a device commonly carried by user  110 , such as a user&#39;s name tag, a parking pass, a keychain, a wallet card, a driver&#39;s license, and the like. RFID scanners (beacon detectors  120 ) can be strategically positioned so that locations of user  110  carried RFID tags can be automatically determined. Additionally, information embedded within the RFID tags (message  160 ) can be used to specify data about the user  110 . 
         [0024]    The use of other types of beacons  112  is contemplated herein. For example, a short distance transceiver can be used as a beacon  112 . Short distance transceivers include BLUETOOTH transceivers, cellular transceivers, and wireless network transceivers (802.11 compliant protocols). Beacon detectors  120  can include BLUETOOTH servers, cellular towers, wireless access points, and the like. A distance of a beacon  112  to an access point (detector  120 ) can be determined based in part upon signal strength. A position of the beacon  112  can also be triangulated based upon wireless signals received from multiple sensors. 
         [0025]    The telephony device  124  can be any computing device capable of receiving communications from caller  140 , which are handled by the service provider  130 . The telephony device  124  can be a line-based phone, a mobile telephone, a two-way radio, a facsimile machine, a computer, a kiosk, an email station, and other such devices. 
         [0026]    The notifier  122  can be any device configured to notify the user  110  of an incoming communication. The notifier  122  can include an audio transceiver and/or a visual display. In one embodiment, the notifier  122  can be a wireless device, such as a BLUETOOTH headset, that is communicatively linked to the telephony device  124  and which can be used to communicate with the device  124 . The notifier  122  can operate in a characteristic manner to inform the user  110  that a call is intended for them and/or can provide additional call information useful for the user. For example, the notifier  122  can inform user  110  that a call for them from a phone number 555-5555 is being conveyed to a proximate device  124 . 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, a characteristic ring tone can be configured by the user  110  and used by the notifier  122  so that a user  110  is able to discriminate from calls directed toward the user  110  and those directed towards others. In another embodiment, speech synthesizing technologies can also be used by the notifier  122  to provide descriptive notifications. Similarly, the notifier can combine a visually displayed message with a device  124  identifier to assist user  110  in knowing which device  124  should be used to answer an incoming call. For example, a message of “Mr. Smith, please answer the phone blinking red to receive a call from Mr. Jones” can be presented on the notifier  122 , where a blinking red light is activated on a nearby device  124 . 
         [0028]    The service provider  130  can be a carrier who provides a communication service to user  110  and/or caller  140 . For example, the service provider  130  can be a telecommunications carrier that provides telephone service to user  110  and/or caller  140 . The presence information  132  can be maintained by the service provider  130  itself, or can be independently maintained for use by the service provider  130  by a separate entity cooperating with the service provider  130 . In one embodiment, the proximity routing features of system  100  can be implemented within a middleware solution, which is utilized by a carrier connecting caller  140  to user  110 . 
         [0029]    Network  150  can include any hardware/software/and firmware necessary to convey digital content encoded within carrier waves. Content can be contained within analog or digital signals and conveyed through data or voice channels and can be conveyed over a personal area network (PAN) or a wide area network (WAN). The network  150  can include local components and data pathways necessary for communications to be exchanged among computing device components and between integrated device components and peripheral devices. The network  150  can also include network equipment, such as routers, data lines, hubs, and intermediary servers which together form a packet-based network, such as the Internet or an intranet. The network  150  can further include circuit-based communication components and mobile communication components, such as telephony switches, modems, cellular communication towers, and the like. The network  150  can include line based and/or wireless communication pathways. 
         [0030]    Data store  130  can be physically implemented within any type of hardware including, but not limited to, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a digitally encoded plastic memory, a holographic memory, or any other recording medium. The data store  130  can be a stand-alone storage unit as well as a storage unit formed from a plurality of physical devices, which may be remotely located from one another. Additionally, information can be stored within each data store in a variety of manners. For example, information can be stored within a database structure or can be stored within one or more files of a file storage system, where each file may or may not be indexed for information searching purposes. 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is a flowchart illustrating a method  200  for telecommunications delivery to a proximate device via proximity detection in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. Method  200  includes a presence information establishment process  210  and a process  240  to contact a communication recipient via a proximate device. Method  200  can be performed in the context of system  100  or any system permitting incoming communications to be directed to devices proximate to intended recipients. 
         [0032]    In the presence information establishment process  210 , a user carrying an identification beacon can approach a location aware area as illustrated in step  212 . In step  214 , a beacon detector can receive a digital message from the location beacon. Beacon can determine a user identity from the received message from step  214 , as shown in step  216 . In step  218 , an in-range message including user identity location, time, etc., can be conveyed from the detector to a telephone service provider via a network. In step  220 , the telephone service provider can store the presence information. 
         [0033]    If a beacon detector detects the identification beacon is no longer in range, then the method can proceed from step  222  to step  224 , else the method can return to step  222 . In step  224 , the beacon detector conveys out-of-range message to service provider via the network. Presence information acquisition and updates can be delayed until the identification beacon is in range, as illustrated in step  226 . In step  228 , the identification beacon can be in range of a different beacon detector. In the determining step  228 , the method can return to step  214 , else return to step  226 . 
         [0034]    The process  240  can begin in step  242 , where a caller can submit a call request to service provider. The call request can be to a designated phone number or to a target recipient without specifying a phone number. When only a target recipient is specified in the call request, the service provider must determine the phone number (or communication address, such as a URL, if the end device is not associated with a phone number) for the target recipient. When a phone number (or other communication address) is provided, the call request can be forwarded by the service provider to another phone number (or other communication address), which can be dynamically determined based upon a recipient location. 
         [0035]    In step  244 , the service provider can query stored presence information for a recipient location. That provider can determine a telephone device proximate to the target recipient, as shown in step  246 . In step  248 , the service provider can convey a call notification to a notifier associated with the determined telephone device. In step  250 , the target recipient can be notified of the call attempt. In step  252 , the target recipient can answer the call and establish a communication, voice or otherwise, with the caller. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  300  for telecommunications delivery to a proximate device via proximity detection in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. System  300  illustrates an embodiment of the system  100 , where a location detection device is integrated into a mobile communication device ( 320 ). A configurable setting of device  320  can cause calls directed to phone  320  to be forwarded to proximate line-based device  324  when available. 
         [0037]    System  300  also shows a reactive mechanism (pull based) for receiving presence information as opposed to a proactive mechanism (push based) shown in system  100 . The reactive and/or proactive mechanisms can be substituted for each other in either system  100  or  300 . 
         [0038]    In system  300 , caller  340  can place  360  a call to user  310  through service provider  330 . Service provider  330  can obtain presence information  332  from user  310  via GPS equipped mobile phone  320 . Service provider  330  can perform presence query  362  to obtain presence information for user  310  via mobile network  350 . GPS equipped mobile phone  320  can respond to presence query  362  with a presence response  364 . Presence response  364  can be used to identify and locate user  310 . 
         [0039]    Service provider  330  can provide notification  366  of incoming call to user  310 . GPS equipped mobile phone  320  can receive call notice  366 . The notice  366  can inform the user  310  that an incoming call is being directed towards device  324 . In one embodiment, the user  310  can opt to have the call relayed to the mobile device  320  instead of the proximate device  324  at this point. 
         [0040]    It should be emphasized that system  300  illustrates more than a variant of a roaming technology for a mobile phone  320 . The phone  320  is being used for its location determination and/or notification capabilities and not necessarily for telephony communications. 
         [0041]    For example, presence  364  and/or notification  366  data is able to be conveyed over a data channel of network  350 , which is available even when a signal strength of phone  320  is too weak to support voice communications, yet is strong enough to support low bit rate or short message service communications. That is, voice communications require sufficient bandwidth of a consistent connection to convey real-time audio bi-directionally (or uni-directionally in the case of two-way radio communications). The local, fixed position, communication device  324  can enable clear voice quality communications between user  310  and caller  340 , even when clear voice quality communications are unavailable via mobile phone  320 . The device  324  can also include capabilities outside those of a typical mobile phone  320 . For example, device  324  can be a facsimile machine able to receive and print a fax conveyed from caller  340  to user  310 . 
         [0042]    Assuming the call is to be directed to the local device  324 , an incoming call (or other communication) for user  368  can be routed through land based network  352 . User  310  can answer the call and communicate with caller  340  (or receive the communication) via local telephone device  324 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating a system  400  for telecommunications delivery to a proximate device via proximity detection in accordance with the embodiment of inventive arrangements disclosed herein. System  400  represents an embodiment of system  100 , where open standards are used for handling presence information. For example, presence information can be conveyed using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) based messages in conformance with an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) based standard. Further, presence information can be written in a presence information data format (PIDF) and/or rich presence information data (RPID). 
         [0044]    In system  400 , presence server  450  can manage and distribute presence information  452 . A service provider  430  can use a watcher  432  to obtain presence information from the presence server  450 . Watcher  432  can SUBSCRIBE  462  to presence information for a particular presentity (user  405 ). The subscription permits the watcher  432  to obtain continuously updated presence information through received notifications  464 . 
         [0045]    The user  405  can carry an identification beacon  412  used to track his/her position. The user  405  can be referred to as a presentity  410 . The user can utilize one or more presence user agents (PUAs)  420 ,  423 ,  426 , which are communication devices capable of PUBLISHING  460  presence information to the server  450 . 
         [0046]    Each PUA  420 ,  423 ,  426  can include a beacon detector  421 ,  424 ,  427  configured to acquire and process information from the identification beacon  412 , whenever the user  405  is nearby. Each PUA  420 ,  423 ,  426  can include a communication component  422 ,  425 ,  428  as well as a notifier (not shown). 
         [0047]    In system  400 , a caller  440  can convey call request  466  to the service provider  430 . The service provider can determine a location of an intended recipient, which is associated with watcher  432 . After determining a recipient location, a proximate communication device can be determined. The provider  430  can convey a call notification to this device, which the user  405  can answer, which establishes the communication between caller  440  and user  405 . 
         [0048]    The present invention may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. The present invention may be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems. Any kind of computer system or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the methods described herein is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software may be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the methods described herein. 
         [0049]    The present invention also may be embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the features enabling the implementation of the methods described herein, and which when loaded in a computer system is able to carry out these methods. Computer program in the present context means any expression, in any language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to cause a system having an information processing capability to perform a particular function either directly or after either or both of the following: a) conversion to another language, code or notation; b) reproduction in a different material form. 
         [0050]    This invention may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.