System indicating the presence of an individual or group of individuals
US7359938B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 14, 1999 |
| Grant date | Apr 15, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 14, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M2203/4536
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A presence management system is described whereby connections between watching parties and watched parties in a multiple access communications network are managed. When the presence management system receives a contact request from a watching party it determines whether the required watched party is available for contact. The system then provides information about this to the watching party who made the request. The presence management system chooses the best mode of communication (e.g. email or fax) taking into account the watched parties preferences and details about the facilities available to the watching party. If, the presence management system informs the watching party that the watched party is unavailable, the watching party is able to set up a monitor. In determining whether the required watched party is available for contact, the presence management system uses stored information about the watched party, information about the required connection (e.g. size and type) and also rules. In addition, information about events from the multiple access network are used e.g. geographical location of watched party mobile phones. Advantageously, watched parties or watching parties a…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.