Methods and apparatus for supplying alternative contact information in a communication system
AssigneeSony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB
InventorsWilliam O. Camp, Jr., Leland Scott Bloebaum, Yojak Harshad Vasa
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Abstract
A technique for supplying alternative contact information when a communication attempt is unsuccessful is described. The technique comprises receiving an inquiry that includes an indication of an unsuccessful communication attempt and an identifier or address for the target of the failed communication attempt. Next, it is determined whether the identifier or address is associated with a group. If so, a response is generated, the response including one or more other identifiers or addresses associated with the group. Finally, the generated response is transferred in response to the inquiry.
Claims9
A method for supplying alternative contact information when a communication attempt is unsuccessful, comprising:
- receiving an inquiry from a communication device, the inquiry comprising an indication of an unsuccessful communication attempt and an identifier or address corresponding to the destination of the failed communication attempt;
- determining if the identifier or address is associated with a group;
- if the identifier or address is associated with a group, generating a response that includes one or more other identifiers or addresses associated with the group;
- and
- transferring the generated response to the communication device;
- wherein the inquiry further includes a conditional requirement, and wherein the method further comprises, if the identifier or address is not associated with a group, generating a response that includes one or more other identifiers or addresses that meet the conditional requirement.
A server for supplying alternative contact information when a communication attempt is unsuccessful, comprising processing logic configured to:
- receive an inquiry comprising an indication of an unsuccessful communication attempt and an identifier or address corresponding to the destination of the failed communication attempt;
- determine if the identifier or address is associated with a group;
- if the identifier or address is associated with a group, generate a response that includes one or more other identifiers or addresses associated with the group;
- and
- transfer the generated response;
- wherein the inquiry further includes a conditional requirement, and wherein the processing logic is further configured to generate a response that includes one or more other identifiers or addresses that meet the conditional requirement, if the identifier or address is not associated with a group.
A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded with computer software executable by a server to perform:
- receiving an inquiry comprising an indication of an unsuccessful communication attempt and an identifier or address corresponding to the destination of the failed communication attempt;
- determining if the identifier or address is associated with a group;
- if the identifier or address is associated with a group, generating a response that includes one or more other identifiers or addresses associated with the group;
- and
- transferring the generated response;
- wherein the inquiry further includes a conditional requirement, and wherein the method further comprises, if the identifier or address is not associated with a group, generating a response that includes one or more other identifiers or addresses that meet the conditional requirement.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.