US20140372531A1 - Implementing a multi-user communications service - Google Patents
Implementing a multi-user communications service Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140372531A1 US20140372531A1 US14/472,000 US201414472000A US2014372531A1 US 20140372531 A1 US20140372531 A1 US 20140372531A1 US 201414472000 A US201414472000 A US 201414472000A US 2014372531 A1 US2014372531 A1 US 2014372531A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- user
- service
- existing users
- communications system
- optional
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W8/00—Network data management
- H04W8/18—Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
- H04L65/40—Support for services or applications
- H04L65/403—Arrangements for multi-party communication, e.g. for conferences
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L12/00—Data switching networks
- H04L12/66—Arrangements for connecting between networks having differing types of switching systems, e.g. gateways
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/07—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail characterised by the inclusion of specific contents
- H04L51/18—Commands or executable codes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/58—Message adaptation for wireless communication
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
- H04L65/1066—Session management
- H04L65/1069—Session establishment or de-establishment
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
- H04L67/14—Session management
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
- H04L67/34—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications involving the movement of software or configuration parameters
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
- H04L67/01—Protocols
- H04L67/131—Protocols for games, networked simulations or virtual reality
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L67/00—Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications
- H04L67/2866—Architectures; Arrangements
- H04L67/30—Profiles
- H04L67/306—User profiles
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W76/00—Connection management
- H04W76/40—Connection management for selective distribution or broadcast
- H04W76/45—Connection management for selective distribution or broadcast for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services
Definitions
- the disclosed embodiments relate to a technique for implementing an optional communications service within a communications system involving the participation of a plurality of users.
- Group calls, instant messaging, interactive gaming and Push-to talk over Cellular (PoC) are examples of optional communications services that may be provided by a communications system, and which involve the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system. Subscriptions by users of the communications system to such optional communications services are conventionally achieved only by separate individual requests from the users through a customer care facility or a self-service portal. The inventors have identified the problem that one user wishing to participate in such an optional communications service with another user depends on such another user already having made its own individual request for subscription to the service, and that this can lead to the service not being used as effectively as possible.
- a method of implementing an optional communications service within a communications system involving the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system including: in response to an action by a first user of the communications system, initiating the preparation of one or more elements of the communication system for providing said optional communications service in relation to one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication service.
- the optional communications service is selected from the group consisting of: an instant messaging service, an interactive gaming service and a push to talk over cellular (PoC) service.
- an instant messaging service is selected from the group consisting of: an instant messaging service, an interactive gaming service and a push to talk over cellular (PoC) service.
- PoC push to talk over cellular
- said preparation includes collecting service subscription data for said one or more other existing users at one or more network elements.
- said one or more elements of the communications system include one or more existing user terminals of said communications system for said one or more other existing users of the communications system, and said preparation includes configuring the settings of said one or more existing user terminals.
- the one or more other existing users of the communication system are a selected user or a selected group of users associated with the first user, such as one or more other existing users identified in a personal contact list for the first user.
- said action by the first user comprises making a request for subscription of said first user to said optional communications service, or comprises making a request to add one or more additional existing users of the communications system to said personal contact list for the first user.
- said preparation includes: obtaining the first user's authority for preparation of one or more elements of the communications system for providing said optional communications service for said one or more other existing users of the communications system.
- said preparation includes identifying said one or more other existing users from a personal contact list for the first user.
- said one or more elements of the communications system include one or more databases.
- a method including: in response to an action by a first user of a communications system, requesting said first user for the authority thereof to prepare one or more elements of the communications system for providing an optional communications service in relation to one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication service.
- a communications system for implementing an optional communications service involving the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system, wherein the system is configured to: in response to an action by a first user of the communications system, initiate the preparation of one or more elements of the communication system for providing said optional communications service for one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication service.
- a communications system for implementing an optional communications service involving the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system, wherein the system is configured to: in response to an action by a first user of a communications system, request said first user for the authority thereof to prepare one or more elements of the communications system for providing the optional communications service for one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication network service.
- a communications system for implementing an optional communications service involving the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system, wherein the system includes: means for initiating, in response to an action by a first user of the communications system, the preparation of one or more elements of the communication system for providing said optional communications service for one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication service.
- a communications system for implementing an optional communications service involving the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system, wherein the system includes: means for requesting, in response to an action by a first user of a communications system, said first user for the authority thereof to prepare one or more elements of the communications system for providing the optional communications service for one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication network service.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communications service within which the disclosed embodiments may be implemented
- FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an example of a set of communications system elements and the interfaces there between for implementing the disclosed embodiments
- FIG. 4 illustrates a method according to at least one of the disclosed embodiments.
- FIG. 5 illustrates a method according to another of the disclosed embodiments.
- FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communications system 1 in which the disclosed embodiments may be implemented.
- a plurality of user terminals 40 , 60 and 80 (typically, many more than three user terminals would form part of the communications system 10 , but only three are shown for the purpose of explaining the disclosed embodiments) are connected to a communications network 20 via respective wireless interfaces.
- the communications network 20 may itself comprise a plurality of sub-networks including one or more radio access networks.
- the network 20 may provide a number of basic services such as standard calls between two user terminals, and may also provide one or more optional communication services such as group calls, instant messaging, interactive gaming and PoC services, which each require a special subscription and which each involve the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system.
- the creation of a subscription to an optional multi-user communications service for a first subscriber/user A of the communications system 10 prompts the creation of subscriptions to the same optional multi-user communications service for one or more other existing subscribers/users of the communications system 10 .
- User/subscriber A is prompted by a message to user terminal 40 asking whether Subscriber A wants those other subscribers/users of the communication system included in his/her personal list (which are also referred to in this specification as “buddies”) to also be provisioned for said optional multi-user communications service. If the answer to this question is yes, the provisioning system makes a query to the list management server that holds and maintains the personal lists for subscriber/user A, retrieves the identities and checks via a subscriber profile database and a terminal inventory database if each such other user/subscriber is already a subscriber to said optional multi-user optional communications system.
- the provisioning system For each of said other subscribers/users for which the result of the check is negative, the provisioning system then creates subscriptions and sends any required device configurations to the respective user terminal devices 60 , 80 , and sends a notification to the user terminal device 40 for Subscriber A so that Subscriber A knows that he/she can start using said multi-user communications service together with his/her buddies.
- the provisioning system does not need to hold or maintain the personal contact list for subscriber A; it could request the user terminal device 4 associated with subscriber A for details of the identities of the other users/subscribers lists in the personal list for subscriber A.
- FIGS. 2 and 3 An example of a set of communication system elements for implementing the creation of subscriptions for other users/subscribers in the embodiment of FIG. 4 is illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates the order of actions/notifications between the system elements
- FIG. 3 identifies the type of the interfaces between the system elements.
- the combination of the PM and TMS is referred to as an Integrated Provisioning Solution (IPS), and it takes care of the notification, subscription and terminal configuration of subscriber A and his/her buddies.
- IPS Integrated Provisioning Solution
- the IPS always ensures that it is allowed to create a subscription and set the terminal configuration for each buddy retrieved or obtained from list management server based on the respective subscriber profile and respective device inventory.
- FIGS. 2 and 3 The interaction between the system elements shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is described below for the example of a chat service.
- CRM In response to subscriber A subscribing to the chat service, CRM starts the creation of buddy subscriptions for the chat service after obtaining authority from subscriber A to do so (Step 1 in FIG. 2 ).
- a subscription creation request is routed from the CRM to the PM (Step 2 in FIG. 2 ).
- a service/access network 100 (a sub-network of network 20 ) associated with subscriber A directly contacts the PM to request the creation of buddy subscriptions (Step 2 a in FIG. 2 ).
- the CRM gives the IPS advance general authorization to act on any such direct request from the service/access network 100 .
- the IPS may automatically make a request to the CRM as to whether there are one or more conditions that need to be met before the buddy subscriptions can be created. Either the service/access network 100 or the IPS can then prompt the subscriber A for specific authorization if any such conditions are set.
- general authorization is given in advance as part of the basic contract between Subscriber A and the provider/operator of the communications system, and which general authorization is used when Subscriber A subscribes to the chat service, or (in the case of the second embodiment described below) adds one or more additional subscribers/users of the communications system to his/her personal contact list.
- the participation of the CRM and/or subscriber A can be reduced.
- the PM When the PM starts the automated provisioning for the buddies, it first obtains from LMS identities of those other users/subscribers of the communication system included in the personal contact list for subscriber A, i.e. the buddies of subscriber A (Step 3 in FIG. 2 ). The PM then initiates preparation of the SR, UCS and BCAS by the addition to the databases thereof of any required subscriber information for providing the chat service for the buddies of subscriber A (Step 4 in FIG. 2 ).
- the PM also ensures that the user terminals for the buddies of subscriber A have the correct settings.
- the correct terminal settings are sent to the buddies as a configuration message (SMS message) from the Terminal Management Server (TMS) (Step 5 in FIG. 2 ).
- TMS Terminal Management Server
- the user terminals receive the correct settings (Step 6 in FIG. 2 ) and send an acceptance message in reply, where the protocol and/or terminals so require.
- Subscriber A is notified by SMS when the buddies are properly provisioned and configured (not shown in FIG. 2 ). Subscriber A is then able to use the chat service with his or her buddies (Step 7 in FIG. 2 ).
- a request by subscriber A for the addition to his/her personal contact list of one or more additional users/subscribers to the communications system prompts the creation of a subscription for such one or more additional users to any optional multi-user communications service for which the subscriber/user A is already a subscriber.
- subscriber A also has the possibility to refresh the provisioning of buddies when subscriber A modifies its personal contact list, which personal contact list may be maintained at a list management server (LMS).
- LMS list management server
- the probability for user satisfaction and effective usage of the service is increased because there is less risk that the other users in the personal contact list of subscriber A (e.g. friends, family etc.) will not be able to participate in the service because of insufficient subscription data in the network or incorrect device configuration.
- subscriber A e.g. friends, family etc.
Abstract
A method includes, in response to an action by a first user of a communications system, the action comprising selecting one or more other existing users associated with the first user from a personal list to include the one or more other existing users in an optional communications service to which the first user has subscribed, determining whether any of the one or more other existing users are already a subscriber to the optional communications service, creating a subscription to the optional communications service for at least one of the one or more other existing users that lacks a subscription, and transmitting configuration information to the at least one of the one or more other existing users.
Description
- This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/713,703, filed 5 Mar. 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The disclosed embodiments relate to a technique for implementing an optional communications service within a communications system involving the participation of a plurality of users.
- Group calls, instant messaging, interactive gaming and Push-to talk over Cellular (PoC) are examples of optional communications services that may be provided by a communications system, and which involve the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system. Subscriptions by users of the communications system to such optional communications services are conventionally achieved only by separate individual requests from the users through a customer care facility or a self-service portal. The inventors have identified the problem that one user wishing to participate in such an optional communications service with another user depends on such another user already having made its own individual request for subscription to the service, and that this can lead to the service not being used as effectively as possible.
- It is an aim of the presently disclosed embodiments to provide a new technique for implementing an optional multi-user communications service within a communications system that facilitates more effective usage of the optional multi-user communications service.
- According to at least one aspect of the disclosed embodiments, there is provided a method of implementing an optional communications service within a communications system involving the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system, the method including: in response to an action by a first user of the communications system, initiating the preparation of one or more elements of the communication system for providing said optional communications service in relation to one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication service.
- In one embodiment, the optional communications service is selected from the group consisting of: an instant messaging service, an interactive gaming service and a push to talk over cellular (PoC) service.
- In one embodiment, said preparation includes collecting service subscription data for said one or more other existing users at one or more network elements.
- In one embodiment, said one or more elements of the communications system include one or more existing user terminals of said communications system for said one or more other existing users of the communications system, and said preparation includes configuring the settings of said one or more existing user terminals.
- In one embodiment, the one or more other existing users of the communication system are a selected user or a selected group of users associated with the first user, such as one or more other existing users identified in a personal contact list for the first user.
- In one embodiment, said action by the first user comprises making a request for subscription of said first user to said optional communications service, or comprises making a request to add one or more additional existing users of the communications system to said personal contact list for the first user.
- In one embodiment, said preparation includes: obtaining the first user's authority for preparation of one or more elements of the communications system for providing said optional communications service for said one or more other existing users of the communications system.
- In one embodiment, said preparation includes identifying said one or more other existing users from a personal contact list for the first user.
- In one embodiment, said one or more elements of the communications system include one or more databases.
- According to another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, there is provided a method including: in response to an action by a first user of a communications system, requesting said first user for the authority thereof to prepare one or more elements of the communications system for providing an optional communications service in relation to one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication service.
- According to another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, there is provided a communications system for implementing an optional communications service involving the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system, wherein the system is configured to: in response to an action by a first user of the communications system, initiate the preparation of one or more elements of the communication system for providing said optional communications service for one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication service.
- According to another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, there is provided a communications system for implementing an optional communications service involving the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system, wherein the system is configured to: in response to an action by a first user of a communications system, request said first user for the authority thereof to prepare one or more elements of the communications system for providing the optional communications service for one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication network service.
- According to another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, there is provided a communications system for implementing an optional communications service involving the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system, wherein the system includes: means for initiating, in response to an action by a first user of the communications system, the preparation of one or more elements of the communication system for providing said optional communications service for one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication service.
- According to another aspect of the disclosed embodiments, there is provided a communications system for implementing an optional communications service involving the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system, wherein the system includes: means for requesting, in response to an action by a first user of a communications system, said first user for the authority thereof to prepare one or more elements of the communications system for providing the optional communications service for one or more other existing users of the communications system, such that when the first user thereafter accesses the optional communication service, the communications system is already prepared for participation by said one or more other existing users in the optional communication network service.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a communications service within which the disclosed embodiments may be implemented; -
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an example of a set of communications system elements and the interfaces there between for implementing the disclosed embodiments; -
FIG. 4 illustrates a method according to at least one of the disclosed embodiments; and -
FIG. 5 illustrates a method according to another of the disclosed embodiments. - The present embodiments are described hereunder, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
-
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of acommunications system 1 in which the disclosed embodiments may be implemented. InFIG. 1 , a plurality ofuser terminals communications system 10, but only three are shown for the purpose of explaining the disclosed embodiments) are connected to acommunications network 20 via respective wireless interfaces. Thecommunications network 20 may itself comprise a plurality of sub-networks including one or more radio access networks. Thenetwork 20 may provide a number of basic services such as standard calls between two user terminals, and may also provide one or more optional communication services such as group calls, instant messaging, interactive gaming and PoC services, which each require a special subscription and which each involve the participation of a plurality of users of the communications system. - According to at least one embodiment as illustrated in
FIG. 4 , the creation of a subscription to an optional multi-user communications service for a first subscriber/user A of thecommunications system 10 prompts the creation of subscriptions to the same optional multi-user communications service for one or more other existing subscribers/users of thecommunications system 10. - User/subscriber A is prompted by a message to
user terminal 40 asking whether Subscriber A wants those other subscribers/users of the communication system included in his/her personal list (which are also referred to in this specification as “buddies”) to also be provisioned for said optional multi-user communications service. If the answer to this question is yes, the provisioning system makes a query to the list management server that holds and maintains the personal lists for subscriber/user A, retrieves the identities and checks via a subscriber profile database and a terminal inventory database if each such other user/subscriber is already a subscriber to said optional multi-user optional communications system. - For each of said other subscribers/users for which the result of the check is negative, the provisioning system then creates subscriptions and sends any required device configurations to the respective
user terminal devices user terminal device 40 for Subscriber A so that Subscriber A knows that he/she can start using said multi-user communications service together with his/her buddies. - The provisioning system does not need to hold or maintain the personal contact list for subscriber A; it could request the
user terminal device 4 associated with subscriber A for details of the identities of the other users/subscribers lists in the personal list for subscriber A. - An example of a set of communication system elements for implementing the creation of subscriptions for other users/subscribers in the embodiment of
FIG. 4 is illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3 .FIG. 2 illustrates the order of actions/notifications between the system elements, andFIG. 3 identifies the type of the interfaces between the system elements. - In
FIGS. 2 and 3 , the following abbreviations are used: -
- PM: Profile Manager
- TMS: Terminal Management Server
- CRM: Customer Relationship Management
- SR: Subscriber Repository (such as a Home Location Register (HLR))
- IMS: IP Multimedia Subsystem
- LMS: List management Server
- UCS: Unified Charging Solution
- BCAS: Business Communication Application Server
- OSS/J: Operating Supporting System java interface
- RMI: Remote Method Invocation
- WSI: Web Service Interface
- SOAP: Simple Object Access Protocol
- CORBA: Common Object Request Broker Architecture
- OTA: Over The Air technology
- XCAP: XML Configuration Access Protocol;
- XML: Extended Markup Language
- The combination of the PM and TMS is referred to as an Integrated Provisioning Solution (IPS), and it takes care of the notification, subscription and terminal configuration of subscriber A and his/her buddies. The IPS always ensures that it is allowed to create a subscription and set the terminal configuration for each buddy retrieved or obtained from list management server based on the respective subscriber profile and respective device inventory.
- The interaction between the system elements shown in
FIGS. 2 and 3 is described below for the example of a chat service. - In response to subscriber A subscribing to the chat service, CRM starts the creation of buddy subscriptions for the chat service after obtaining authority from subscriber A to do so (
Step 1 inFIG. 2 ). - A subscription creation request is routed from the CRM to the PM (
Step 2 inFIG. 2 ). - According to one variation, a service/access network 100 (a sub-network of network 20) associated with subscriber A directly contacts the PM to request the creation of buddy subscriptions (
Step 2 a inFIG. 2 ). In one example, the CRM gives the IPS advance general authorization to act on any such direct request from the service/access network 100. In another example, the IPS may automatically make a request to the CRM as to whether there are one or more conditions that need to be met before the buddy subscriptions can be created. Either the service/access network 100 or the IPS can then prompt the subscriber A for specific authorization if any such conditions are set. Alternatively, general authorization is given in advance as part of the basic contract between Subscriber A and the provider/operator of the communications system, and which general authorization is used when Subscriber A subscribes to the chat service, or (in the case of the second embodiment described below) adds one or more additional subscribers/users of the communications system to his/her personal contact list. With this variation, the participation of the CRM and/or subscriber A can be reduced. - When the PM starts the automated provisioning for the buddies, it first obtains from LMS identities of those other users/subscribers of the communication system included in the personal contact list for subscriber A, i.e. the buddies of subscriber A (
Step 3 inFIG. 2 ). The PM then initiates preparation of the SR, UCS and BCAS by the addition to the databases thereof of any required subscriber information for providing the chat service for the buddies of subscriber A (Step 4 inFIG. 2 ). - The PM also ensures that the user terminals for the buddies of subscriber A have the correct settings. The correct terminal settings are sent to the buddies as a configuration message (SMS message) from the Terminal Management Server (TMS) (
Step 5 inFIG. 2 ). The user terminals receive the correct settings (Step 6 inFIG. 2 ) and send an acceptance message in reply, where the protocol and/or terminals so require. - Subscriber A is notified by SMS when the buddies are properly provisioned and configured (not shown in
FIG. 2 ). Subscriber A is then able to use the chat service with his or her buddies (Step 7 inFIG. 2 ). - According to a second embodiment illustrated in
FIG. 5 , a request by subscriber A for the addition to his/her personal contact list of one or more additional users/subscribers to the communications system prompts the creation of a subscription for such one or more additional users to any optional multi-user communications service for which the subscriber/user A is already a subscriber. With this embodiment, subscriber A also has the possibility to refresh the provisioning of buddies when subscriber A modifies its personal contact list, which personal contact list may be maintained at a list management server (LMS). - With the above-described embodiments, the probability for user satisfaction and effective usage of the service is increased because there is less risk that the other users in the personal contact list of subscriber A (e.g. friends, family etc.) will not be able to participate in the service because of insufficient subscription data in the network or incorrect device configuration.
- The applicant draws attention to the fact that the presently disclosed embodiments may include any feature or combination of features disclosed herein either implicitly or explicitly or any generalization thereof, without limitation to the scope of any definitions set out above. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosed embodiments.
Claims (20)
1. A method comprising:
in response to an action by a first user of a communications system, the action comprising selecting one or more other existing users associated with the first user from a personal list to include the one or more other existing users in an optional communications service to which the first user has subscribed,
determining whether any of the one or more other existing users are already a subscriber to the optional communications service;
creating a subscription to the optional communications service for at least one of the one or more other existing users that lacks a subscription; and
transmitting configuration information to the at least one of the one or more other existing users.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the optional communications service comprises one of an instant messaging service, an interactive gaming service, and a push to talk over cellular service.
3. The method of claim 1 , comprising automatically initiating a preparation of one or more elements of the communications system to provide the optional communications service to the one or more other existing users of the communications system that are determined not to be a subscriber to the optional communications service.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the preparation of the one or more elements of the communications system includes collecting service subscription data for the one or more other existing users at one or more network elements.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the preparation of the one or more elements of the communications system comprises obtaining the first user's authority to prepare one or more elements of the communications system to provide the optional communications service for the one or more other existing users of the communications system.
6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the preparation of the one or more elements of the communications system includes identifying the one or more other existing users from a personal contact list for the first user.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more other existing users are identified in a personal contact list for the first user.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the action by the first user comprises making a request for subscription of the first user to the optional communications service.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the action by the first user includes making a request to add one or more additional existing users of the communications system to the personal contact list for the first user.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more elements of the communications system comprises one or more databases.
11. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting configuration information to the one or more other existing users comprises configuring user terminals of the at least one of the one or more other existing users to enable access to the optional communications service.
12. A method comprising:
requesting, by a terminal of a first user, a subscription to an optional multi-user communications service implemented within a communications system;
receiving, by the terminal, an inquiry from the communications system whether to prepare the communication system for one or more other existing users to participate in an optional multi-user communications service, wherein the one or more other existing users are associated with the first user and are selected from a personal list of the first user; and
responding, by the terminal, to the inquiry, wherein, when the terminal responds affirmatively to the inquiry, the communications system is prompted to determine whether any of the one or more other existing users are already a subscriber to the optional communications service to which the first user has subscribed, and to create a subscription to the optional communications service for each of the one or more existing users that lacks a subscription when the terminal responds affirmatively.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the optional communications service comprises one of an instant messaging service, an interactive gaming service and a push to talk over cellular service.
14. The method of claim 12 , comprising making a request, by the terminal, to add one or more additional existing users of the communications system to a personal contact list for the first user.
15. The method of claim 12 , wherein, when the terminal responds affirmatively to the inquiry, the communications system is prompted to automatically initiate a preparation of one or more elements of the communications system to provide the optional communications service for one or more existing users of the communications system that have been determined not to be a subscriber to the optional communications service.
16. The method of claim 12 , wherein, when the terminal responds affirmatively to the inquiry, the communications system is prompted to send configuration information to the one or more other existing users to configure user terminals of the one or more other existing users to enable access to the optional communications service.
17. An apparatus comprising:
at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, direct the apparatus at least to perform:
requesting a subscription for a first user to an optional multi-user communications service implemented within a communications system;
receiving an inquiry from the communications system whether to prepare the communication system for one or more other existing users to participate in the optional multi-user communications service to which the first user has subscribed, wherein the one or more other existing users are associated with the first user and are selected from a personal list of the first user; and
responding to the inquiry, wherein, when the apparatus responds affirmatively to the inquiry, the communications system is prompted to determine whether any of the one or more other existing users are already a subscriber to the optional communications service, and to create a subscription to the optional communications service for each of the one or more existing users that lacks a subscription when the apparatus responds affirmatively.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the optional communications service comprises one of an instant messaging service, an interactive gaming service and a push to talk over cellular service.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, direct the apparatus at least to make a request to add one or more additional existing users of the communications system to a personal contact list for the first user.
20. The apparatus of claim 17 , wherein, when the apparatus responds affirmatively to the inquiry, the communications system is prompted to automatically prepare one or more elements of the communications system to provide the optional communications service for one or more existing users of the communications system that have been determined not to be a subscriber to the optional communications service.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/472,000 US20140372531A1 (en) | 2007-03-05 | 2014-08-28 | Implementing a multi-user communications service |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US11/713,703 US8856224B2 (en) | 2007-03-05 | 2007-03-05 | Implementing a multi-user communications service |
US14/472,000 US20140372531A1 (en) | 2007-03-05 | 2014-08-28 | Implementing a multi-user communications service |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/713,703 Continuation US8856224B2 (en) | 2007-03-05 | 2007-03-05 | Implementing a multi-user communications service |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140372531A1 true US20140372531A1 (en) | 2014-12-18 |
Family
ID=39742735
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/713,703 Expired - Fee Related US8856224B2 (en) | 2007-03-05 | 2007-03-05 | Implementing a multi-user communications service |
US14/472,000 Abandoned US20140372531A1 (en) | 2007-03-05 | 2014-08-28 | Implementing a multi-user communications service |
Family Applications Before (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US11/713,703 Expired - Fee Related US8856224B2 (en) | 2007-03-05 | 2007-03-05 | Implementing a multi-user communications service |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US8856224B2 (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN106685708A (en) * | 2016-12-16 | 2017-05-17 | 华为技术有限公司 | Determining method, device and system of service relationship |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FI120857B (en) * | 2007-12-19 | 2010-03-31 | Teliasonera Ab | User terminal, storage medium, service center and procedure |
CN106506318A (en) * | 2015-09-07 | 2017-03-15 | 南京跃豚智能科技有限公司 | A kind of information method for subscribing of group |
Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020006803A1 (en) * | 2000-05-12 | 2002-01-17 | Dennis Mendiola | Method and system for inviting and creating accounts for prospective users of an instant messaging system |
US20060089978A1 (en) * | 2002-05-31 | 2006-04-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Systems and methods for shared browsing among a plurality of online co-users |
US20060242554A1 (en) * | 2005-04-25 | 2006-10-26 | Gather, Inc. | User-driven media system in a computer network |
US20070168490A1 (en) * | 2006-01-18 | 2007-07-19 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Distributed Web Publishing |
US20080077595A1 (en) * | 2006-09-14 | 2008-03-27 | Eric Leebow | System and method for facilitating online social networking |
US20080133402A1 (en) * | 2006-09-05 | 2008-06-05 | Kerry Ivan Kurian | Sociofinancial systems and methods |
US20090187831A1 (en) * | 2006-10-10 | 2009-07-23 | Shahzad Tiwana | Integrated Electronic Mail and Instant Messaging System |
US20100184517A1 (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2010-07-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Use of online messaging to facilitate selection of participants in game play |
US8036140B2 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2011-10-11 | Microsoft Corporation | Application programming interface for inviting participants in a serverless peer to peer network |
US20110289574A1 (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2011-11-24 | Hull Mark E | Social network with multiple logins |
Family Cites Families (18)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7058036B1 (en) * | 2000-02-25 | 2006-06-06 | Sprint Spectrum L.P. | Method and system for wireless instant messaging |
US6714793B1 (en) * | 2000-03-06 | 2004-03-30 | America Online, Inc. | Method and system for instant messaging across cellular networks and a public data network |
US8315651B2 (en) * | 2001-05-03 | 2012-11-20 | Kyocera Corporation | Instant messaging to a mobile device |
US7266594B2 (en) * | 2001-11-07 | 2007-09-04 | Microsoft Corporation | Method and system for configuring a computer for real-time communication |
JP4151356B2 (en) * | 2002-09-06 | 2008-09-17 | ソニー株式会社 | Program, information processing method and apparatus |
US20040103153A1 (en) * | 2002-11-21 | 2004-05-27 | Chang Tsung-Yen Dean | Apparatus and method for providing smart network appliances |
US7124123B1 (en) * | 2003-06-30 | 2006-10-17 | America Online, Inc. | Intelligent processing in the context of away and offline instant messages |
US7120455B1 (en) * | 2004-05-20 | 2006-10-10 | Cellco Partnership | Method and system for mobile instant messaging using multiple interfaces |
US7867094B1 (en) * | 2004-11-18 | 2011-01-11 | Turbo Squid, Inc. | Methods for promoting the development and sharing of content and a dynamically modified computer game |
US8060566B2 (en) * | 2004-12-01 | 2011-11-15 | Aol Inc. | Automatically enabling the forwarding of instant messages |
GB2435146B (en) * | 2005-09-13 | 2010-08-04 | Vodafone Plc | Group communications |
US8051129B2 (en) * | 2006-07-06 | 2011-11-01 | Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) | Arrangement and method for reducing required memory usage between communication servers |
US7945249B2 (en) * | 2006-10-12 | 2011-05-17 | Alcatel Lucent | Next generation social networking and content rating system and method |
US20080096507A1 (en) * | 2006-10-24 | 2008-04-24 | Esa Erola | System, apparatus and method for creating service accounts and configuring devices for use therewith |
US7627608B2 (en) * | 2007-02-07 | 2009-12-01 | Nokia Corporation | Sharing of media using contact data |
US7860525B2 (en) * | 2007-04-25 | 2010-12-28 | Nokia Corporation | System, method, and computer program product for service and application configuration in a network device |
US20080301237A1 (en) * | 2007-05-31 | 2008-12-04 | Allan Peter Parsons | Method and apparatus for improved referral to resources and a related social network |
CN101729594B (en) * | 2009-11-10 | 2013-08-07 | 中兴通讯股份有限公司 | Remote configuration control method and system |
-
2007
- 2007-03-05 US US11/713,703 patent/US8856224B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2014
- 2014-08-28 US US14/472,000 patent/US20140372531A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (10)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100184517A1 (en) * | 2000-02-29 | 2010-07-22 | Microsoft Corporation | Use of online messaging to facilitate selection of participants in game play |
US20020006803A1 (en) * | 2000-05-12 | 2002-01-17 | Dennis Mendiola | Method and system for inviting and creating accounts for prospective users of an instant messaging system |
US20060089978A1 (en) * | 2002-05-31 | 2006-04-27 | Microsoft Corporation | Systems and methods for shared browsing among a plurality of online co-users |
US20110289574A1 (en) * | 2004-01-29 | 2011-11-24 | Hull Mark E | Social network with multiple logins |
US8036140B2 (en) * | 2005-04-22 | 2011-10-11 | Microsoft Corporation | Application programming interface for inviting participants in a serverless peer to peer network |
US20060242554A1 (en) * | 2005-04-25 | 2006-10-26 | Gather, Inc. | User-driven media system in a computer network |
US20070168490A1 (en) * | 2006-01-18 | 2007-07-19 | Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation | Distributed Web Publishing |
US20080133402A1 (en) * | 2006-09-05 | 2008-06-05 | Kerry Ivan Kurian | Sociofinancial systems and methods |
US20080077595A1 (en) * | 2006-09-14 | 2008-03-27 | Eric Leebow | System and method for facilitating online social networking |
US20090187831A1 (en) * | 2006-10-10 | 2009-07-23 | Shahzad Tiwana | Integrated Electronic Mail and Instant Messaging System |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN106685708A (en) * | 2016-12-16 | 2017-05-17 | 华为技术有限公司 | Determining method, device and system of service relationship |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20080222247A1 (en) | 2008-09-11 |
US8856224B2 (en) | 2014-10-07 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US8903903B2 (en) | Methods, systems, and computer readable media for providing presence data from multiple presence information providers | |
US7797010B1 (en) | Systems and methods for talk group distribution | |
EP2281363B1 (en) | Method and server for adding an aspect trigger to an aspect | |
US9466086B2 (en) | Methods, systems, and computer readable media for affecting user associations in over the top (OTT) service platforms | |
US20050054361A1 (en) | Group service with information on group members | |
US20030028621A1 (en) | Presence, location and availability communication system and method | |
US20050228895A1 (en) | Method, Web service gateway (WSG) for presence, and presence server for presence information filtering and retrieval | |
US7738900B1 (en) | Systems and methods of group distribution for latency sensitive applications | |
CN107667550B (en) | Method for processing request through polling channel in wireless communication system and apparatus therefor | |
US20080005119A1 (en) | Remotely updating a user status on a presence server | |
US7574201B2 (en) | System for authentication of network usage | |
TW200920059A (en) | Active profile selection | |
KR101461056B1 (en) | apparatus and method of management status information in wireless instant messaging system | |
US7844294B1 (en) | Systems and methods for opt-in and opt-out talk group management | |
US20120096114A1 (en) | Method and system for the transport of asynchronous aspects using a context aware mechanism | |
EP2543173A1 (en) | Presentity authorization of buddy subscription in a communication system | |
US20140372531A1 (en) | Implementing a multi-user communications service | |
EP2178247B1 (en) | Sharing status information across a pluarlity of communication networks | |
CN102137107A (en) | Method and system for realizing set-top box subscriber state | |
US20100070626A1 (en) | Method And System For Resolving Indeterminate or Inconsistent Information For Information Consumers | |
CN102668451B (en) | A method and arrangement for providing user related traffic statistics | |
US20070226308A1 (en) | Method and System for Implementation of an Instant Message Service | |
KR20030090421A (en) | Apparatus and method for providing Integrated Presence service in fixed, mobile and internet convergence environment | |
US20150249743A1 (en) | Enriched presence status | |
CN100362836C (en) | Method for announcing instant message |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |