Google Inc. v. Rockstar Consortium US LP et al

Filing 1

COMPLAINT for Declaratory Judgment of Non-Infringement against All Defendants ( Filing fee $ 400, receipt number 0971-8252154.). Filed byGoogle Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A, # 2 Exhibit B, # 3 Exhibit C, # 4 Exhibit D, # 5 Exhibit E, # 6 Exhibit F, # 7 Exhibit G, # 8 Civil Cover Sheet)(Warren, Matthew) (Filed on 12/23/2013)

EXHIBIT E

US006463131B1

(12> Ulllted States Patent

(10) Patent N0.:

French-St. George et al.

(54)

US 6,463,131 B1

(45) Date of Patent:

Oct. 8, 2002

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NOTIFYING A
USER OF AN INCOMING COMMUNICATION

5,608,786 A
5,633,916 A

3/1997 Gordon ............... .. 379/100.01
5/1997 Goldhagen et al. .... .. 379/88.13

EVENT

5,737,395 A

4/1998 Irribarren ............... .. 379/88.13

5,742,905 A *

(75)

A_ Mahan, Kanata, an of (CA) Laura
AI Brisebois,

4/1998 Pepe et al.

5,751,791 A

Inventors: Marilyn French-St. George, Alcove;

5/1998 Chen 61 ‘IL -

379/211.01

379/88-13

5,825,854 A
5,822,404

10/1998

Larson . et. . al. . .
Cave . . . . . .

. . . . .. 379/88.13

5,832,221

11/1998

Jones

. . . . ..

A

(73)

Assigneez Nortel Networks Limited (CA)

5,946,386 A *

(*)

Notice:

6,061,570 A *

5,987,100 A

Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this

. . . . . . . . . . . . .

379/88.13

8/1999 Rogers et al. ....... .. 379/265.09

* 11/1999

Fortman et al. ....... .. 379/88.14

5/2000 Janow ................... .. 455/458

patent is extended or adjusted under 35

6,181,928 B1 *

1/2001

U'S'C~ 154(k)) byo days~

6,219,413 B1 *

4/2001 Burg ................... .. 379/215.01

(21) Appl. No.: 09/477,679

(22) Filed:

Moon . . . . . .

. . . . .. 379/88.12

* Cited by examiner

Jan. 5, 2000

Primary Examiner—Fan Tsang
Related US. Application Data

Assistant Examiner—Ovidio Esalante

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Finnegan, Henderson,
(62)

Division of application No. 08/996,034, ?led on Dec. 22,
1997’ now Pat‘ NO‘ 671227348‘

FaraboW, Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.

(51)

Int. c1.7 ............................................... .. H04M 1/64

(57)

ABSTRACT

(52) US. Cl. .............................. .. 379/88.23;337799/8§é1147;

Asystem and method for providing multisensory Signaling

(58)

capabilities enables a user to manage the receipt of incoming
communication events, after an initial noti?cation sequence,

Field of Search ......................... .. 379/88.12, 88.13,

379/88.14, 88.15, 88.17, 88.19, 88.22, 88.23,
88.25, 100.01, 100.08, 211.01, 211.02,
212.01, 207.16, 201.07
(56)

References Cited

using multiple media options. Speci?cally, a remote device
noti?es a user of incoming communication events and offers

real-time coupling of the noti?cations With communication
management options. The message is delivered or otherwise
processed according to the option selected.

US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
5,327,486 A

*

7/1994 Wolff et al. .......... .. 379/142.01

f

105

129., I

8 Claims, 3 Drawing Sheets

110

’\.100

155 115
I
/

1j5

/ sERvER

/

COMPUTER

I

__

_

MEMORY

w

12@\ SEE
E

140

REGISTRATION
SOFTWARE

SUBSCRIBER

l

DATABASE

160
/
165

,_/

COMMUNICATION

E

DATABASE

E

/

17°

I K144
MEMORY

150
180
I

/

/

ELECTRONIC
MAII. SYSTEM
135

RECEIVER/

PORT ~145

175

142

K

I/O

/

III E

I

% TRANSMITFER H PROCESSOR

COMMUNICATION
.

143
/
TRANSDUCER

1;11
.

SOFTWARE

13o

/
WEARABLE DEvICE

KIOSK

U.S. Patent

Oct. 8,2002

Sheet 2 of3

US 6,463,131 B1

ALERT RECEIVING PARTY N200
OF COMMUNICATION
EVENT

210

DOES THE
PARTY WANT TO
RESPOND?

SELECT DEVICE FOR
DELIVERY OF SUBSEQUENT

220
N

INFORMING COMPONENT

V

ALLOW PARTY TO HEAR OR
SEE MORE INFORMATION

230
~

ABOUT COMMUNICATION
EVENT
245

PRESENT COMMUNICATIONS ~24‘)
MANAGEMENT OPTIONS TO
PARTY IN SELECTED
MEDIA FORMAT

FIG. 2

SELECT

V

COMMUNICATION
MANAGEMENT
OPTION
FOR EXECUTION

US 6,463,131 B1
1

2

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NOTIFYING A
USER OF AN INCOMING COMMUNICATION
EVENT

then reply. Other disposition options (e.g., forWard, copy,
delete) can only be invoked after the user receives the
communication. Currently, there are no products that alloW
a user to intercept a communication during the noti?cation
sequence and re-route it to another device or person, or

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATION

request the sender to alter the communication media.
There are some third party service providers that integrate
text-based and voice-based communications into a single
“inbox” and then notify the subscriber of their presence.

This is a division of application Ser. No. 08/996,034, ?led
Dec. 22,1997, the contents of Which are hereby incorporated

by reference (now US. Pat. No. 6,122,348 issued Sep. 19,

2000).

10

Often times the noti?cation is to a pager or a cell phone. In
the latter case, media translation devices can recode a text

?le into speech. Although these services provide uni?ed
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

noti?cation of all messages, they do not currently respond to

The present invention relates generally to communication
management and more particularly, to a multisensory sig

mation pertaining to the incoming communication to the
device subscriber.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a multisensory sig
naling structure that is applicable to a variety of receiving

the real-time voice calls, and often restrict access to infor
15

naling structure that enables a user to manage the receipt of
incoming communication events, after an initial noti?cation

sequence, using multiple media options.
Recent advancements in communication technology have
made push media channels a reality. These channels typi
cally “push” information to a designated receiving device
(e.g., pager) Without requiring a user to speci?cally request

devices to alloW a user to manage incoming communication
events.
20

It is further desirable to structure noti?cations of incom

the information. This, in conjunction With development of
integrated text and voice at the desktop and in mobile
devices, creates an environment Where users are increas

25

ingly demanding service strategies that alloW them to pri

noti?cation, they also need choices on hoW to respond to the

30

Finally, it is desirable to alloW a user to intercept a

communication, during the noti?cation sequence and
35 re-route it to another device or person, or request the sender

to alter the communication media.

direct an incoming communication to a device or person of

Additional desires, features and advantages of the inven
tion Will be set forth in the folloWing description, and Will
be apparent from description or may be learned by practic

their choosing.
On the service delivery side of the equation, service
providers are looking for Ways of increasing their presence

40

to the end user. To facilitate this endeavor, there is a need for
a noti?cation/signaling framework that enables service pro
viders to con?gure their commercial appearance to the

customer and tailor communication management options to
maximiZe service availability. For example, With such a
frameWork, a sports broadcaster can notify its subscribers of

ing the invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods consistent With the present inven
tion meet these desires by alloWing a user to manage the
45

a particular neWsWorthy event via a multimedia banner. If

receipt of incoming communication events, after an initial

noti?cation sequence, using multiple media options.
A system consistent With this invention for managing an
incoming communication event comprises means for noti

the event is on video, the user can then select to receive the

broadcast at their desktop computer, or perhaps listen to the
play-by-play via a personal audio device.

in real-time.
It is also desirable to employ personal, Wearable commu
cations and information in a preselected format.

or noti?cation sequence to provide more context about the

options that are media independent, users may intercept and

With communication management options.

nication devices for receiving incoming multimedia noti?

request in real-time. For example, by structuring an alerting

nature of an interruption (i.e., the Who, What, When, and
Why) and then integrating communication management

ing communication events.
In addition, it is desirable to couple real-time noti?cations
It is further desirable to route an incoming communication
event to a receiving device or person of the receiver’s choice

oritiZe competing demands on their attention.

Not only do busy people need a Way of recogniZing the
context—the Who, What, When, and Why—of an incoming

It is also desirable to provide the user With a number of

call management options that may be invoked in real-time.

fying a user of the incoming communication event; means
50

for providing a plurality of communication management

Currently, real-time communication management options

options to the user; means for receiving a selection of one of

are limited (e.g., live voice calls can only be ignored or

the communication management options; and means for

ansWered). Calling Line Identi?cation (CLID) provides

taking an action regarding the incoming communication

some real-time information regarding the “Who” of the
incoming-communication but more strictly re?ects the
source device rather than the user of the device. Display of

event consistent With the selected communication manage
55

A method consistent With this invention for managing an

Second Call Waiting Identi?cation (DSCWID) provides

incoming communication event comprises the steps of noti
fying a user of the incoming communication event; provid
ing a plurality of communication management options to the

some real-time communication management by enabling
users to put a second call on hold While they ?nish the ?rst.

HoWever, the constraints of CLID limit this feature by

60

identifying the connection subscriber rather than the user.
In the text domain, there is currently no possibility of

the mailbox, select the communication, open it, read it, and

user; receiving a selection of one of the communication

management options; and taking an action regarding the
incoming communication event consistent With the selected

communication management option.
Both the foregoing general description and the folloWing

intercepting an e-mail on its Way to an in-box. Text mes

saging services direct data, such as e-mail, to a user’s inbox
and then notify the user of its arrival. If the user Wants to
vieW the e-mail or call the sender back, they must ?rst enter

ment option.

65

detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are
intended to provide further explanation of the invention as
claimed.

US 6,463,131 B1
3

4

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

urgent return communication and thus, may choose not to

The accompanying drawings, Which are incorporated in
and constitute a part of the speci?cation, illustrate presently

respond to any neW incoming communications. The user can
communicate this information to server 115 When con?g
uring a call. Alternatively, system 100 can determine

preferred embodiments of the invention and, together With
the preceding general description and the folloWing detailed
description, eXplain the principles of the invention.
In the draWings:

Whether the call is a neW or return communication based on

a prior communication betWeen the tWo parties. In this
instance, the prior call information is stored in a memory of
server 115 as a pro?le speci?c to the user or communication

FIG. 1 illustrates a communications management system

event. A communication event is any type of voice or data
consistent With the present invention;
10 transfer betWeen tWo or more points. Thus, the communi
cation event can be the transfer of video data or a voice
FIG. 2 shoWs a ?oWchart of a communications manage
message. The user can de?ne the type of communication
ment method consistent With the present invention; and
link used to transfer the selected information based on the
FIG. 3 shoWs a communications management options
available communication netWork. For eXample, if the user
diagram available to a user of the communications manage
15 Wishes to send a photograph, then the information Would be
ment system of FIG. 1.
transferred over a data communication link such as an ATM

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
INVENTION

netWork. HoWever, to transfer voice information in real
time, the PSTN is the more appropriate selection.

Reference Will noW be made in detail to the construction

Based on the type of information transferred, the user can

and operation of preferred embodiments consistent With the

select communication management options for the receiving

present invention that are illustrated in the accompanying

party. For eXample, if the user Wishes to transfer a voice
message to a receiving party concerning a relative’s Wed
ding but also has a video of the Wedding, both a voice
message option and a video option can be transferred to the

draWings. In those draWings, like elements and operations
are designated With the same reference numbers.
FIG. 1 illustrates a communications management system

100 including a plurality of source devices 105, terminal

25

receiving party. Any data (e.g., video, text) or voice format

devices 110, and at least one server 115 that controls the
transfer of information betWeen source devices 105 and

can be selected by the user as a communications manage

terminal devices 110. System 100, as illustrated in FIG. 1,
provides a framework for implementing communications
management functions consistent With the present invention.
Other components such as a public sWitched telephone

limited by the format of the information for transfer.

ment option for the receiving party. This selection is only

Preferably, system 100 is capable of automatically choosing
certain communication management options based on the
type of information being transferred and information pre

netWork (PSTN) or asynchronous transfer mode (ATM)
netWork (not shoWn) are necessary to facilitate the transfer

viously provided by the user.

of information signals betWeen multiple source and desti
nation points. These netWorks consist of a series of netWork
gateWays that mediate communications betWeen Wireline,

ferring the voice or data information (e.g., facsimile, audio,

Finally, the user chooses a source device 105 for trans
35

etc.). The communication device can be any device capable
of transferring information. One feature of the invention is

to signal the user (e.g., using a ringback function) When
system 100 noti?es the receiving party of the communica

Wireless, and computer netWorks.
Source devices 105 include a variety of media devices

tion event. The signal may be sent back to the selected
source device or a secondary device. For eXample, if the

available to a user of system 100. These source devices may

include a computer 120, telephone 125, faX machine 130,

source device is a computer, the user can select to receive the

video device 135 or any other media source. The user or
caller may use one or more of the above devices to transfer
information to one or more parties over system 100.

ringback signal on a cellular telephone or pager by selecting

this feature When con?guring a communication event trans
Before attempting to contact a party, the user selects the 45 fer With server 115. Preferably, system 100 can automati
cally choose the source device based on the type of infor
information for transfer, de?nes Whether the call is a neW or

mation transferred and information previously provided by

return communication, chooses the type of communication
link (i.e., voice or data), determines any additional receiver

the user.

communication management options, and selects a source

Terminal devices 110 may include a Wearable device 140,

device 105. Preferably, system 100 automatically performs

computer 145, kiosk 150, or any other device capable of
communicating voice/data signals to a receiving party.

these functions based on the type of information being

transferred and information previously provided by the user.
In this instance, the user only needs to provide the infor

These devices include a transceiver for bidirectional

mation for transfer to system 100.
The type of information for transfer over system 100 can

data in real-time over a selected communication link.

communication, and receive and transmit voice and/or teXt
55

be in any form such as a document or audio message. The
format of the information dictates the source device to be

used to transfer the information. For eXample, if the user
chooses to relay the information verbally or using a prere

Preferably, terminal device 110 is a personal Wearable
device 140, such as SoundBeamTM manufactured by Nortel,
that incorporates “Personal Space Audio” Where the audio
signal is not broadcast to the entire surrounding environ
ment.

corded voice message, then telephone 125 Would be the

Wearable device 140 includes a receiver/transmitter 141,

preferred device. Nevertheless, the user may Wish to send a
document or e-mail a ?le to one or more parties, Which

processor 142, transducer 143, memory 144, and input/
output (I/O) port 146. Receiver/transmitter 141 receives and

Would require a faX machine 130 or computer 120, respec

transmits voice and data signals betWeen Wearable device

tively.
The user further has the option of de?ning Whether the

140 and a remote device such as server 115. Receiver/
65

transmitter 141 alloWs Wearable device 140 to receive

call is a neW or return communication. This feature is

personal multimedia noti?cations at any time and anyWhere

important since the receiving party may be expecting an

over a Wireless communication link. Processor 142 can be

US 6,463,131 B1
6

5
any processor capable of controlling the operation of Wear
able device 140 by interfacing With components of the
device. For example, processor 142 processes incoming

Server 115 also establishes a user-centric relational data

base. As communication relationships develop betWeen par
ties using system 100, categories for each registered user
may be formed (e.g., home support services, of?ce,
recreational, family) and stored in subscriber database 165.
This high level categoriZation is encoded into the alerting
sequence of system 100, thus alloWing receivers to differ
entiate betWeen “cold” incoming communications and those

signals received through receiver/transmitter 142. Processor
142 then routes the signal to transducer 143 to output the

signal in an audio, tactile, or visual format (e.g., beeping
sound, silent vibration, or text messaging), or memory 144

(e.g., random access memory) for storage. In addition,
processor 142 can route the signal to I/O port 146 Which is
con?gured to interface With other terminal devices 110 such
as computer 145 or kiosk 150 to output the signal. These
terminal devices 110 also include the components of Wear
able device 140 to perform functions consistent With the
present invention as described herein.
Server 115 is a processor-based system that is customiZed
to control the information transfer operation of system 100.

from individuals or organiZations that have established a
10

relationship With the receiver. As described above, system
100 facilitates the transfer of information from a user to a

receiving party using various communication options and
media formats. The folloWing description provides the
method for managing the communication events transferred
15

Preferably, server 115 has high speed processing capability

over system 100.
FIG. 2 is a ?oWchart illustrating a communication man

agement method consistent With the present invention.
Speci?cally, the ?oWchart of FIG. 2 illustrates a signaling
sequence received at terminal device 110 of the receiving
party. The signaling sequence includes an alerting compo

in order to service a large number of users and includes a

memory 155 that stores a variety of softWare and informa

tion. Speci?cally, memory 155 stores registration softWare
160, subscriber database 165, communication softWare 170,

system 100 devices. Registration softWare associates the

nent and informing component.
Before transferring information, system 100 alerts a
selected receiving party of the incoming communication

base 165 and communicates With system 100 devices using
communication softWare 170. Communication softWare 170
includes softWare capable of transferring voice and data
signals over any type of communication link. Server 115
stores information (e.g., the communication event) for trans

and multisensory, consisting of tactile, auditory, and visual
components. System 100 bases the timing of the alerting
component on current telephony ring signaling. HoWever, in
system 100, only the ?rst “ring” sounds automatically With
subsequent audio and visual output being mediated by the

fer betWeen source devices 105 and terminal devices 110 in
communication database 175.
Server 115 performs a number of automatic functions

the alert signal based on the audio or visual information sent

and communication database 175.
Server 115 executes registration softWare 160 to register

registered devices With one or more subscribers. Server 115 25 event (step 200). The alerting component is brief (typically
the duration of a single ring sequence of a traditional phone)
stores information about the subscribers in subscriber data

including user/device recognition, caller recognition, com
munication status, and communication management options.

receiving party.
The receiving party may choose to respond to or ignore
35

during the alerting component (step 210). Server 115
encodes categorical variables (e.g., urgency and synchro
nous communication requests) via the tactile channel, and
categorical or continuous variables (e.g., relationship cat

In addition, server 115 provides integrated electronic mail
box functions for system 100 subscribers via electronic mail
system 180. Electronic mail system 180 can be any elec

tronic mail system capable of storing voice, text, or video

egory or name of caller) via the audio and visual channels.
For example, server 115 can encode the distinction betWeen

mail.
Server 115 automatically supports user and device recog
nition. Preferably, all user devices are registered With the

an incoming message (Where the sender is not requesting
synchronous interaction), and an incoming request for dia
logue (e.g., a voice call, or video conference) in the tactile

server using registration softWare 160. This registration

channel. In addition, server 115 can transmit the relationship

device is automatically registered. This assumes that termi
nal device 110 has a characteristic signature that de?nes
such things as the media channels, the communication
protocols, and the bandWidth that it can support. If these

display during the alerting component of the signaling

may select a device for delivery of an associated incoming

signatures are not de?ned or if a device is not supported by
system 100, then server 115 automatically sWitches to a

using a designated input function. For example, Wearable

process is benign such that When a registered user commu 45 category (e.g., business, home, recreational) in the audio
channel, While the caller name and topic is shoWn on a small
nicates With someone via a neW terminal device 110, the

sequence.

At the termination of the alerting component, the party
communication event (step 220). The party selects a device

default setting that enables a standard signaling procedure

device 140 may include a voice recognition response system

(e.g., text messaging for pagers).

Where the receiving party speaks a predetermined command

Preferably, unregistered users can subscribe to server 115 55 into the device to make a selection. This selection may

include any terminal device registered With server 115.

using terminal device 110. In this instance, server 115 ?rst

registers the neW subscriber using registration softWare 160

The selected device alloWs the party to see or hear more

and then stores information about the subscriber in sub
scriber database 165. Subscriber information is stored in all
formats speci?ed by the user and may include name, address
and one or more telephone numbers. These formats might

information about an incoming communication event (step
230). Based on its media format, the incoming communi

include photos, videos, text, or audio introduction scripts

communication event to a large display device, such as a
computer, the user Will see detailed information about the

cation event routes either to the audio channel or visual

channel of terminal device 110. If the party directs the

that subscribers use via server 115 to con?gure appropriate

header information appearing in the receiving party’s alert
ing sequence. The header information, stored in subscriber
database 165, alloWs the receiving party to hear or see the
name of the calling party.

65

nature of the incoming communication. In this instance, the
selected terminal device dictates the con?guration of audio
and visual channels for incoming communication event
output. For example, a user might be seated at their com

US 6,463,131 B1
8

7
puter When an incoming alert is detected. The computer
recognizes that the incoming communication is a return

Requesting the transmission later 340 prompts server 115
to save the message in communication database 175 for later
retrieval. Preferably, server 115 can mediate a later time to
send the transmission. In this instance, server 115 initiates

video message. The tactile channel presents a distinct
cadence that the user recogniZes as a message. The audio
channel presents a signal that is recogniZed as a reply, While
the name of the caller is displayed in a small Wearable

the later transmission at the mediated time. For eXample,
When the receiving party selects this communication man

screen, together With a topic line (e.g., “video that you
requested”). At this point, the user touches a predetermined
button on the computer to select the computer or other
terminal device on Which to vieW further information

regarding the incoming communication event.

agement option, server 115 can request a more appropriate
time to send the communication event and initiate a subse

quent transmission at that time. Alternatively, the receiving
10

If the selected device is not properly con?gured to receive
the incoming communication event, system 100 informs the
caller through the ringback sequence. For eXample, the
caller Would be noti?ed during the ringback sequence if the
receiving party selected a communication device that Was

party may dial into the server using a passWord or other
security function to access and retrieve the message at a later
time.
Listen to voice message 350 alloWs a receiver to auto

matically request that the caller leave a message rather than
15

complete the requested synchronous dialogue. Server 115

receiving party then, for eXample, touches a predetermined

informs the caller through the ringback sequence if the
receiver selects this option. Once the voice message is
recorded, server 115 then alerts the receiver of the recorded
voice message.
ForWard communication event to third party 360 alloWs

button on the computer, preferably located on a mouse, to

the receiver to re-route the communication to other people or

not matched to the media con?gurations of the incoming
request. If the selected device con?guration is proper, server
115 transmits further information about the communication
event to the selected computer, as used in this eXample. The
vieW the additional information on the computer display.
The subsequent information may include a distribution list
for the communication or return communication paths pre
ferred by the caller for responding to the video message. If
the receiving party had decided to listen to the video

25

message, they could have responded to the initial alert by
touching a button associated With a personal audio device

(e. g., Wearable device 140). At that point, server 115 informs

mail system preferably includes electronic mail, video mail

the receiving party that a distribution list and return call
paths are available.
In addition to the subsequent information, server 115

or voice mail capabilities. System 100 presents one or more

of these mail options to the receiving party in the commu
nications management options menu. System 100 also

presents the receiving party With communication manage
ment options (step 240). These options are described beloW
With respect to FIG. 3. Server 115 then prompts the receiving
party to select a communication management option for

devices. The other people may be part of a group registered
With system 100, such as a “business partners” category. In
this eXample, the receiving party requests server 115 to route
the call to the predetermined “business partners” category so
that everyone Within that registered group receives the
communication. The communication event may also be
forWarded to other devices including mail system 180. The

alloWs the receiving party to request receipt of any replies to
the forWarded message.
35

Reject caller 370 alloWs the receiver to deny further

execution (step 245). These communication management
options alloW the receiving party to control receipt (i.e., hoW

access from one or more callers. This feature is useful to
prevent unWanted calls or messages from one or more

and When) of the communication event. Upon executing the
selected option, system 100 completes the communication

callers. The receiving party may modify the account at a
later time to permit subsequent communication With that
caller.

functions available to the receiving party.
FIG. 3 is a diagram of communications management

System 100 offers versatile communication management

options 300 available to the receiving party in a menu

format. These options include ansWering or requesting trans
mission of the communications event 310, retrieving and
listening to a voice message 350, forWarding or “bouncing”

45

variety of receiving devices, but also a tool for coupling
real-time noti?cations With communication management
options. These communication management options alloW a
party to control hoW, When and Where to receive incoming

the call to one or more parties 360, and rejecting the call 370.

AnsWering or requesting transmission of the communi
cation event 310 includes the suboptions of requesting the
transmission noW 320, requesting a change of communica
tions media format 330, and requesting transmission later

communications events. The party may receive these events

in a variety of media formats adding further versatility to the
system. Moreover, users of system 100 may receive incom
ing communication events on any device capable of receiv

340. Requesting the transmission noW 320 provides a real

time coupling of the communication event (e.g., video
message) With the terminal device selected by the receiving
party. Requesting a change of communications media format

55

audio or visual format. The format used by the sender and

present considered to be preferred embodiments and meth
ods of the present invention, those skilled in the art Will
understand that various changes and modi?cations may be
made, and equivalents may be substituted for elements
thereof, Without departing from the true scope of the inven
tion.
In addition, many modi?cations may be made to adapt a

the capabilities of the terminal device may preclude changes

informs the sender that a teXt message should be sent since
it is inconvenient to talk right now.

ing and transmitting voice or data signals. Thus, system 100
does not require “special” equipment to provide effective
communication betWeen tWo or more parties.
While there has been illustrated and described What are at

330 alloWs the caller to select the communication event in an

in media format. HoWever, audio and visual components
may be separated for the convenience of the receiving party.
For eXample, a party may receive a personal multimedia
alert during a meeting indicating that a colleague Wants to
talk immediately. Since it is inconvenient to leave the
meeting, the party can take advantage of an ansWer option
that alloWs for a request to change media. This request

techniques that provide a loW-intrusive solution to modem
personal communication needs. System 100 is not only a
multisensory signaling structure that can be applied to a

65

particular element, technique, or implementation to the
teachings of the present invention Without departing from
the scope of the invention. Therefore, this invention should

US 6,463,131 B1
10
4. The system of claim 2 Wherein the characteristic
includes a nonsynchronous communication and the selected

not be limited to the particular embodiments and methods

disclosed herein, but should include all embodiments falling
Within the scope of the appended claims.
What is claimed is:
1. A system for notifying a user of an incoming commu

noti?cation includes a nontactile alert.
5. A method of notifying a user of an incoming commu
5

nication event, comprising:

determining a characteristic of the communication event;
selecting a noti?cation based on the characteristic;

means for determining a characteristic of the communi

cation event;

sending the user the selected noti?cation;

means for selecting a noti?cation based on the character

istic;

1O

means for receiving a selection from the user indicating a

communication event to be sent to the user in the

selected format.
2. The system of claim 1 Wherein the means for selecting
includes a choice betWeen at least a tactile alert and a

nontactile alert.
3. The system of claim 2 Wherein the characteristic
includes synchronous communication and the selected noti
?cation includes a tactile alert.

receiving a selection from the user indicating a format for

delivery of further information regarding the commu
nication event; and

means for sending the user the selected noti?cation;

format for delivery of further information regarding the
communication event; and
means for alloWing the further information regarding the

nication event, comprising:

alloWing the further information regarding the communi
cation event to be sent to the user in the selected format.
15

6. The method of claim 5 Wherein the selecting includes
a choice betWeen at least a tactile alert and a nontactile alert.

7. The method of claim 6 Wherein the characteristic
includes synchronous communication and the selected noti
?cation includes a tactile alert.

8. The method of claim 6 Wherein the characteristic
includes a nonsynchronous communication and the selected
noti?cation includes a nontactile alert.

UNITED STATES PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE

CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION
PATENT NO.
DATED

: 6,463,131 B1
: October 8, 2002

Page 1 of 1

INVENTOR(S) : Marilyn French-St. George et al.
It is certified that error appears in the above-identi?ed patent and that said Letters Patent is
hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 9
Lines 14 and 16, after “further” insert -- notification

Column 10
Lines 11 and 13, after “further” insert -- notification

Signed and Sealed this

Thirtieth Day of September, 2003

JAMES E. ROGAN

Director ofthe United States Patent and Trademark O?‘i'ce