STATUS MESSAGE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[001] Typically when a caller attempts to reach someone over a telephone line such as for example over a cellular telephone network, and the caller receives a busy signal or otherwise does not successfully reach the called number, the caller's telephone screen may provide an icon or indication of an alternate communication mode by which the caller may communicate with the other party. For example, when a call is made from a cellular telephone to another cellular telephone, and the call does not go through, a screen of the caller' s phone may show an icon of a small message system (SMS) function which may be used to send a message to the other party in place of the unsuccessful call.

[002] With the emergence of numerous communication and message platforms, sending an SMS to a party may not be a successful or optimal way to communicate with such other party. There continues to be a need for an effective system and method for customizing a telephone status message in these situations. The prior art has yet to successfully integrate data channel communication and cellular channel communication in the same device, so that for example, a caller who has unsuccessfully placed a call may nevertheless be successfully routed to the desired party via one or more communications platforms or modes available on a data channel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[003] These and other objects of the invention are achieved according to one aspect of the invention with a method of associating data with an entry associated with a first user of a network communication device on a contact list of a second user on a network communication device comprising: presenting to the first user on the network communication device a representation of a plurality of other users of network communication devices, said other users including said second user; receiving a signal at a remote server, said signal including a designation of said second user and including data to be associated with said entry associated with said first user, said entry stored on said contact list of a network communication device of said second user; transmitting from said remote server to said network communication device of said second user, said data along with an instruction to associate said data with said entry on said network communication device of said second user, and presenting a representation of said data on a display device of said network communication device of said second user, said representation presented in association with said entry.

[004] In another aspect, the invention is a method of integrating data channel communication and cellular channel communication for a caller on a network communication device, comprising: detecting, by a server, an incoming call from a network communication device on a cellular channel; presenting to said caller on said network communication device a representation of a status of the number called; transmitting from said server to said network communication device instructions to run an application on a data channel, and associating the incoming call on the cellular channel with the application running on the data channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[005] The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with objects, features, and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:

[006] Figure 1 depicts a system according to embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[007] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

[008] As shown in Figure 1, embodiments of the invention may include a system 100 including one or more network communication devices such as mobile devices 102 and 103 that may be in connection with a network 104 such as a cellular network, the Internet and/or other networks 106, one or more servers 108 such as application servers that may include one or more processors 109, one or more databases and or information storage devices or memories 110, some or all of which may be in communication with network 106. Device 102 may be or include a cellular telephone, smart phone, tablet computer, laptop computer, network telephone or other device that may communicate over for example wired and/or wireless networks. A device 102 may include one or more processors 112, one or more memory 114 units, one or more sensors 120, such as physical sensors (accelerometers, motion sensors, etc.), software-based sensors or device sensors (ringer on/ringer off, screen on/screen off, device on/device off), an electronic display 116 and an input device 118 such as for example a keyboard, microphone, touch screen or other input device. Embodiments of the invention may use, employ or include machine- readable executable code contained in a non-transitory storage medium for a computing device, wherein the executable code, when executed by the computing device, causes the computing device to perform an embodiment of a method of the invention. In some embodiments, one or more of the functions performed by processor 109 may be performed by more than one processor, which may be housed remotely from one another. In some embodiments, data storage or memories 110 may be housed remotely from one or more devices, and data may be stored in more than one memory 110.

[009] In operation, a user 121 of device 102 may select one or more communication mediums by which other users of network 106 or 104 may deliver messages or information to user 121. For example, user 121 may frequently use or check their email, SMS, Facebook ^® , Whatsapp ^® , Twitter ^® or other accounts or services for messaging or transmission of voice, images or data. User 121 may issue a signal to for example remote server 108, where such signal may indicate one or more services 124 or mediums by which user 121 wishes to or regularly receives messages or data. Services 124 may be listed for example in an order or preference by which user 121 wishes to receive messages if he is not able or willing to receive a call. Server 108 may store a list 126 of services 124. At some time such as a later time, when a user 122 of device 103 wants to call user 121 on device 102, the user may see an indication or list 126 of the various services used or checked by user 121, which may represent one or more preferred services 124 that user 122 should use to send a message to user 121 at one or more times such as when user 122 is unable to complete a call to user 121. In some embodiments, one or more of the services or applications or mediums of list 126 may be displayed on for example a display of device 103 in proximity or in association with a name, telephone number or other designation of user 121. [0010] For example, in some embodiments a name and/or telephone number of user 121 may be stored on device 103 in for example a contacts list of user 122. One or more items or icons of such items on list 126 may appear proximate to or in association with the name or number of user 121 on the contact list. Periodically, server 108 may issue a signal, such as a wireless signal to device 103 with an update of list 124. In some embodiments list 124 may be synchronized between the media or platform, available to both users 121 and 122, so that a platform that is installed or available to both users is presented.

[0011] In some embodiments, upon an unsuccessful attempt of user 122 to call user 121 or at some other time such as when user 122 receives or sees an indication that user 121 is unavailable for a call, an icon of one or more preferred message medium on list 126 may be directed to appear on a display of device 103 to easily allow user 122 to input a message to user 121. In some embodiments, a touch of the icon that is displayed on the screen may allow user 122 to enter one or more of the preferred applications on list 126, where a name, number or other contact information of user 121 may appear so that user 122 may input and deliver a message or other data to be delivered to user 121.

[0012] In some embodiments, a system may have or create a first list 126 that will be shown to certain other users 122, and a second list 125 that may be shown to other users 123. For example, a first list may be input to server 108 along with an instruction to transmit and show such list to devices or users who are designated by user 121 as business contacts, and a second list 125 may be input to server 108 along with an instruction to transmit and show such list to devices and users who are designated by user 121 as personal contacts. User 121 may customize or specialize the lists that he may provide to one person whose contact list includes user 121, while providing a different list to another person whose contact list includes user 121. In some embodiments a system may perform this customization based for example on a category of the contact person. For example, contacts categorized as business contacts may be shown a first list of preferred platforms for contacting the user 121, and contacts categorized as friends of the user 121 may be shown a second list of platforms for contacting the user 121.

[0013] In some embodiments, user 121 may instruct server 108 to use a first list or preference during certain periods of time such as business hours, and another list or set of preferences during other times or days such as non-business hours. In some embodiments an automated system may learn or recognize that a first group of preferences is to be used or shown during for example business hours, and a second preference or group of preferences is to be shown during other periods. For example, a first preference of list 126 during business hours may be an email address or a telephone number of a receptionist or answering service, while a first preference during non-business hours may be a Facebook account or chat. A business owner, such as a small business owner, may indicate and store on server 108 or elsewhere, a first preference during business hours as an SMS, while a first preference during non-business hours may be listed as a Facebook or a Paypal™ site or other payment site or page that may allow a potential customer to find out more about the business or actually arrange a purchase or payment during such off hours. In some embodiments, a status line of a person or business on a contact list of a user may provide a link to the business hours, address, navigation instructions to a nearby branch or other information about the person or business so that the caller may have access to such information in association with the user's contact list. User 121 may select the type, extent and details of the information to provide to each, some or all of the people whose contact list include user 121, and may customize such information for one or some of the other users who store his data on their contact list. In some embodiments the user may access for example a web page that shows a list of the other people who store his contact information on their contact lists, and the user may arrange the contact mediums or other information that is to be associated with his name on such contact lists.

[0014] In some embodiments, there may be transmitted to a user 121 that dials a telephone number that is recognized by system 100 or that is otherwise known or matches a telephone number that is stored in memory 110, one or more items of data, such as for example, text, images, interactive function buttons or other content items for display on an electronic screen that is associated with user 121 and the call that he dialed. For example, user 121 of device 102 may dial a telephone number of ABC restaurant, that is located in Anytown, USA and serves French cuisine. In some embodiments, while pushing the dial button, before or after the call is answered by ABC, system 100 may transmit content over a network 106 such as a data network. The transmitted content may appear on a display 116 of device 102, before or during the call that was placed to ABC. Content may include one or more function activators such as touch buttons that may interact with one or more remote processors 109 or servers 108, Such content may include a few parts: the first part includes the business identity details such as: a name, address, menu, working hours, open or close now, and navigation button, or other content related to ABC, and that may have been stored on memory 110 or elsewhere. The second part may include call to action buttons for the user that may activate them, such as: send email to the business, go directly to the chat page, go to the business website, go to the business Facebook page or other activities. Additional content of call to action may include, for example, a display of possible functions that may be activated, such as "Make a Reservation", "Cancel a Reservation", "See our Menu", or "Order Take Out". A user 121 may activate one or more of such functions, whereupon other content, such as drop-down screens, chat functions, sales/offer information or other data may be transmitted to device 102 for display on display 116 of device 102. User 121 may thereby view one or more sets of screen data before or during the call to ABC, and may interact with ABC using alternative digital channels (omni-channels) before such call was answered at ABC or during such call that is being transmitted over the cellular network. In some embodiments, a chat function or platform may be transmitted to display 116 while user 121 is waiting for a customer service representative, and the user may be requested to type into display 116, the nature of his question or other identifying information.

[0015] A third portion of the content may include a banner that the ABC business would like to transmit to its customers that call him. This banner may be displayed and include information, such as a contextual advertisement, that ABC would like to present to its customers (a contextual advertisement). This may include the deal of the day, the weekly promotional, new services, or other.

[0016] The fourth portion may include "cross advertisement" of a complementary business to ABC, i.e., cross advertisement of the small or medium-sized business ("SMB") to publish its offering in another SMB's calling numbers which are complementary in nature. As part of the registration procedure to the service, SMBs are asked to select their 'main category' . Once selected, a screen with optional sub categories is opened and the SMB is prompt to choose sub categories in which his banner will be viewed. For example, Ubber Banner, which is subscribed to the service, may appear and be viewed by a caller while contacting DEF restaurant, which is not subscribed to the service. This way, mapping the SMB's categories enables the most effective advertising tool while increasing its exposure to the maximum relevant target audience. [0017] In some embodiments, content may include for example opening hours, addresses, navigation instructions, contact details, direct access to an online representative/chat. Direct access to the email address, link to social media apps, direct access to a self-service page, direct access to payment page and other information. In some embodiments, content may be customized to a user, altered as a function of time, geography or other factors that may be associated with a caller or by the callee.

[0018] Also in case of business with a few branches, while calling from city A, only the details of the branch of city A will appear on display 116.

[0019] In some embodiments, there may be concurrently conducted (1) an interactive, data communication session between user's device 102 and server 108 as is associated with ABC, and (2) a voice call between user 121 using device 102 and a telephone line associated with ABC. The interactive data communication session may be initiated or prompted by an embodiment of system 100 in response to the call made by user 121 over the cellular or other telephone network. In some embodiments, system 100 may in response to the call made over a cellular network, transmit content to divert the call, the interactive session or the attention of the user 121 from the voice call over the cellular network to an interactive session over a data network.

[0020] In some embodiments, content may allow user 121 to continue the interactive data communication session instead of proceeding to the voice session over the cellular network. In some embodiments, another user, such as an operator who is associated with ABC may customize or select content that is to be delivered during the call to display 116. For example, a technical assistance operator who is speaking with user 121 over device 102, may transmit to display 116 some technical information related to the call, or a screen shot of what the user 121 may be seeing on his computer during the call. In some embodiments, the operator may take command of one or more cursors or control functions appearing on display 116 during such call.

[0021] In some embodiments, processor 109 may recognize in memory 110 that the number dialed on device 102 is associated with ABC in Anytown. Memory 110 may also store content about Chez Nous which is also a French restaurant in Anytown, and may transmit to display 116 information about Chez Nous, or some other establishment that may compete with ABC or provide complementary service to ABC. Such information may be shown on display 116 as a competing or complementary message to the goals that are assumed or attributed to user 121 when he placed his call.

[0022] In some embodiments, server 108 may automatically gather information from or about user 121, and post, display or convey such information to others who include such user 121 on their contact list. For example, user 121 may be in a location where his telephone has no data link, so that the person has no access to Facebook, WhatsApp or other such communication platforms. The system 100 may detect such lack of connectivity, and indicate on the other people's contact list that this user 121 is best contacted at such time using circuit switch phone, SMS or other mediums that are not dependent on a data link.

[0023] In some embodiments, user may control or have a capacity to input data, messages or instructions to be associated with his data as is stored on the contact list of other users, to make such contact lists under the dynamic control of the contacts themselves. For example, a phone used by user 121 may have a contact list that includes contact information for user 122. User 122 may input data into server 108, so that the name and contact information of user 122 on the contact list of user 121 's phone shows a happy face, a heart or some other icon, emoticon or message that will appear on user 121 's contact list next to the name of user 122. In some embodiments, a contact list may refer to a list or database of contacts that may be available on Android™ or iOS™ system wherein may be stored names, phone numbers and other contact information or personal data that may be indexed, searched, synced and otherwise accessed from or on a computer device.

[0024] In some embodiments, an icon or other indication that may be associated with a user on another person's telephone contact list may show or include a feature, function, content or icon that links the other person to the user's email address, or other contact information. This link or provision of alternative access by the other person to the user's other contact information may alleviate the common need to call someone and have that person dictate their email address on a telephone call. Other information may also be provided at the election of the user, and some or all of such other information may be made available on the contact lists of one, some or all of the people who include the user' s name on their contact list. For example, user 121 may include his own email address on the list or preferences that is to appear in association with his name on the contact list of user 122.

[0025] In other embodiments, when a user 121 places a call, the server 108 utilizes a data channel to provide services specific to the caller and/or to the number called, without reference to a contact list. For example, a pop-up or overlay screen may appear on the dialing screen of the user, directing the user to interface with the callee via a data application. Such overlay screen may be shown, and the application engaged, even if the caller did not initiate the call from the application. For example, if the caller initiates a call to for example a business, content 150 of the callee business may be presented on a screen of the caller's cellular telephone, providing a status of the callee cellular phone status that may include a 'busy' or On a call' indication or 'off, as well as pushing data apps to the user by which the caller may interface with the business. [0026] Also when user calls the ABC restaurant while it is closed, Crunch button may appear as one of the options in the "call to action" screen. In such case, if the user pushes the Crunch button, he will get a notification later when the restaurant is opened.

[0027] In some embodiments, if a first device that does not have or is not running a version of the application or system 100, calls a device 102 that does have the system or application, an embodiment of the system 100 may send for example an SMS or other message to device that may include for example a link to a web page which will appear on the screen of the first device that will allow the user to press on the link and get to the web page. The first device can also send later an SMS message indicating that 102 is available (upon call completion or change in status from off to on). Such message may also include an invitation for the first device to run or sign up for the system.

[0028] The business will have also an option to publish his advertisement on other businesses. For example a user calls a wedding hall and gets a popup with all the details described above, including the advertisement. In addition the user will see an additional advertisement of another business, for example another wedding hall, or wedding catering services.

[0029] In some embodiments, a user's web site may be linked to the user's phone status. For example, if user 121 is a telephone horoscope provider, user's 121 web-based advertisement may be removed from a web page or banner advertisement when the user's 121 phone is engaged. In this way, the user may reach an arrangement to pay for web advertising only when the user is actually available to be reached to provide such phone based services. Viewers of the web site will therefore not see the user' s banner when the user 121 is not available to answer their calls. [0030] In some embodiments a preference list 126 may be further customized for times, locations and contact information For example, suppose a person who we will call John calls a large travel agency to inquire about a vacation. John gives the agent that took his call, who we will call Mary, his telephone number, and Mary records John's number in the contact list of her phone or computer (which may be linked or synced together) and in the contact list of the large travel agency organization (which may also be linked or synced with Mary' s contact list). John also records the agency' s number in the contact list of his telephone or computer. Some time later, John wants to call the travel agency again, and wants to talk to Mary to continue arranging his travel. Mary is at her desk at the time of John's later call. Mary had updated her status on server 108 (or her status was updated automatically when Mary logged onto her computer or in accordance with a calendar of when she is supposed to be at her desk) as being at her desk. Server 108 had updated John' s telephone with an indication on his contact list that Mary is best reached at her desk at the time of his later calls, and by John' s pressing an icon associated with Mary' s contact information as it appears on John's telephone contact list, John's telephone may directly call Mary's desk (and for example by-pass a receptionist or general number). Later that night, Mary has gone home and updated her status on server 108 that she has left the office, and instructed it to indicate that her replacement for the night shift is Jane whose telephone number at work is different than Mary's. Server 108 will have updated the preference list on John's telephone to show that the best way for Mary's customers to contact the travel agency for work-related issues is to speak with Jane, and Jane's telephone number may be listed as the preferred contact medium by which John can get answers to his travel questions at the travel agency. [0031] During the day, Mary may have spoken with another customer, Dave, about an insurance issue for a lost suitcase. Each of Mary and Dave had also recorded each other' s contact information on each of their respective contact lists. During their day time call, Mary told Dave to call back that night when the agency's insurance expert, Harry, would be in the office, even though Mary would not be in the office at that time. Before she left work, Mary updated server 108 to indicate that Harry is the preferred contact medium to appear on the contact list on Dave's phone when he calls Mary's number later that day. The icon associated with Mary' s contact on Dave' s telephone would therefore indicate that Harry is the preferred contact associated with the travel agency as would appear on Dave' s contact list. When Mary arrives back at her desk the following day, her preferred contact medium that will appear on Dave's contact list so that the telephone number of the travel agency as it appears on Dave' s telephone will revert back to Mary.

[0032] Continuing the example above, Mary has arranged John's travel plans for a flight later that evening at an hour when Mary will be away from her office. Before she leaves the office she issues a signal to server 108, to update her status line on John's contact list to include a link to a copy of John' s updated e-ticket as may be stored on a remote storage device. Another link associated with Mary as it appears on John's contact list, may include a link to possible flight delay information for the ticketed flight. Another link may be for an SMS or push notification to Mary that John can use to contact her if needs further help. In some embodiments, an icon or other function indicator that may be associated with Mary's contact information on John's contact list may, when pressed, present a drop-down list or other function-selection mechanism from which John may choose to see or collect data about his car rental, hotel, or other information that Mary wishes to provide to him. When John is travelling, he may simply look up Mary or the travel agency on his contact list, and from there receive access to one or more details of his travel plans through links that were inserted there by Mary. In some embodiments, a user may include a package delivery service, and the contact information for such delivery service on a customer's telephone may include a feature, function or icon that lets the customer access for example information about the location of the customer's package that is being sent by the delivery service, or that the package has been delivered or delayed. Such information may be associated, pulled by the customer or pushed by the delivery service and associated with the contact information of the delivery service on the customer's telephone. This may allow the customer to look up on his contact list FEDEX™ or the business that sent him the package, and see a status of his package, or a link to a status of his package.

[0033] In some embodiments, a user may be or include for example a cable television company, which may ask its customers to include its contact information on the contact lists of their telephones. In the event that cable TV service is interrupted, an icon, indicator or function that may be associated with the cable company's contact on the customer' s contact list may indicate that the company is aware that its service has been interrupted and that it is not necessary for the customer to call the company to alert it of the outage.

[0034] In some embodiments, a contact list on a phone of user 121 may show for example 'Taxi' , and include a number of a taxi service and an icon for contacting the taxi. When user 120 goes to a different location, server 108 may receive an indication of the changed location, and may alter a number and contact icon that is associated with 'Taxi' to be the number of a taxi service in the second location. In some embodiments, if user 121 has an insurance policy with InsuranceCo, and his contact list includes a contact and phone number for InsuranceCo, then InsuranceCo may send a signal to server 108, so that the phone number shown on the contact list of user 121, is the specific agent or customer service person at InsuranceCo with whom user 121 has been in touch or to whom user is supposed to contact if he needs assistance.

[0035] In some embodiments a user may include a customer service organization (CSO) that may push waiting times that may be expected for customer calls to its operators. A customer who is thinking about calling the CSO may be able to see that the wait time is too long, and decide that he will call later

[0036] In some embodiments, a user may be travelling and may issue a signal to server 108, to associate with the user's name on his friend's contact list that the customer is in a different time zone. In some embodiments a user may push a picture, video, message or other data to appear in association with his name or contact on a third party's contact list.

[0037] In some embodiments, a third party may change the status or communication preference list. For example, a theatre may request or demand that theatre patrons consent to let the theatre change the patron's communication preference list to SMS or some other silent communication platform so that people who try to contact the patron during the show are presented with a silent communication means.

[0038] In some embodiments, a cellular or telephone network may store, monitor or track the status of one or more of its customers, and use such information as part of its call routing system. For example, a data base may track Jack's telephone availability status. At a particular time when Jack is talking on the phone, the data base may indicate that no calls should or can be passed through to Jack because his line is busy. When Richard tries to call Jack, the system need not relay the call signal all the way to Jack's phone or to a local station near Jack in order to learn that Jack is busy before transmitting a busy signal back to Richard. Embodiments of the invention may allow the telephone network to return a busy signal to Richard upon checking a data-base that indicates Jack's lack of availability. This may allow a reduction in the number of signals transmitted over the network as may currently be used to return and indicate a busy signal. This may be particularly useful for long distance calls that may require signals to be transmitted over long distances to determine that a user's phone is engaged before a busy signal is returned.

[0039] A system of embodiments of the invention may allow a personalization, customization or differentiation by a user of the preferred mediums by which he should be contacted based on one or more characteristics of the individuals who list such user on their own contact lists. In some embodiments the user may customize or personalize a message, data, link or stream of information that will be associated with the user's name or contact information as it appears on a contact list of another person. Such data, message, link or stream may be viewed and accessed by the other person by way of an icon that is associated with the name of the use on such other person's contact list.

[0040] Embodiments of the system may provide a temporary or interim access to one or more functions even if a called telephone is not then equipped with the application providing such function. For example, if the calling phone is running the application, and wants to call a called phone that is not running the application, but wants to check before calling if the called party is available, the calling telephone may send a message (such as by SMS) to the called telephone that includes a link to a temporary function of the application that associates the called telephone with the calling telephone, that is functionally equivalent to the called telephone having a snapshot or part of the application function, indicating its availability. By pushing the url in the SMS, the called telephone may be presented with a screen view that shows the status of the calling telephone, and allows the called telephone to press or select an operation that executes a call once the called telephone and the calling telephone are available. This snapshot may disappear after a certain time, as it gives a limited time to "enjoy" the application.

[0041] Embodiments of the invention may include a method for associating data, such as a preferred communication medium, with an entry showing a contact of a first user that appears on a contact list of a cellular telephone of a second user. Embodiments of the invention may include presenting to the first user whose name appears on the contact list, a representation of other users of cellular telephones or network communication devices, where such other users show his name on the contact lists. The first user may deliver a signal to a remote server that may receive the signal where the signal includes a designation such as a unique identifier of the second user and an indication of data that is to be associated with the entry showing the first user's name on the second user's contact list. In some embodiments, the remote server may transmit to the mobile device of the second user a representation of the data in the signal transmitted by the first user, where the data includes an instruction to associate such data with the entry on the device of the second user that represents the first user. The signal may include an instruction to represent the data on a display device of the second user's device in association with the entry of the first user on the contact list of the second user. In some embodiments, the data transmitted by the first user may include a representation of a link to a network resource, such as a url, message delivery medium or other data, along with a unique identifier (such as an account name or number) of the first user on such messaging medium.

[0042] While certain features of the invention have been illustrated and described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes, and equivalents will now occur to those of ordinary skill in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. Further, the embodiments disclosed herein are related, so that features and dependent limitations disclosed in the specification in connection with one embodiment or one independent claim may also be combined with another embodiment or another independent claim, without departing from the scope of the invention.