WO2003027881A1

WO2003027881A1 - Methods and systems for providing information correlated to a communication

Info

Publication number: WO2003027881A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/031179
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dale W. Malik
Original assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation
Priority date: 2001-09-28
Filing date: 2002-09-27
Publication date: 2003-04-03
Also published as: WO2003027880A1

Abstract

Information correlated to a particular communication is provided. A communications manager (10) may provide a message log (50) including an entry with data for the particular communication. A feature of the data is provided in a request for retrieval of the correlated information (126). The feature may be used to retrieve the correlated information or the types of correlated information may relate to the feature (128). The types of data may be displayed (130), and a type of data may be selected (132). The substanceof the selected type is retrieved (136) and displayed (138). The types of data available and the substance of the selected type may be obtained by the communications manager from a telecommunications and/or data network. An indication of an action to be taken relating to the selected type of correlated information may be received, and the action may be carried out using the telecommunication and/or data network.

Description

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION CORRELATED TO A COMMUNICATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTIONS

The inventions relate to the field of unified messaging, and in particular, relate to the provision of information correlated to a communication.

BACKGROUND

A message conveys information. Often, a recipient may consider the information received in a message to be insufficient. For example, assume a friend has sent you an electronic mail (e-mail) message about having dinner at a particular restaurant. The e-mail may contain a date and a time for the dinner, and may include the name and address of the restaurant. But what if you wanted to know more about the restaurant? What if you wanted to check the menu? Or read recent reviews of the restaurant? Or even check the City Health Department's ratings ofthe restaurant?

To obtain information in addition to that provided by the message, you could contact your friend. But he or she may not have the additional information. Your alternative is to find the additional information for yourself. To find the additional information mentioned above, you are likely to have to make telephone calls or otherwise send messages to the restaurant, to a newspaper food critic, and to the City Health Department. Thus, to obtain the three additional pieces of information, you may have to make or send at least three and maybe more calls or messages.

If you make telephone calls or otherwise send messages to obtain the additional information about the restaurant, you may receive a quick response. The restaurant may be quick with its response regarding its menu. But a quick response is unlikely from a person or entity who does not directly benefit from responding quickly. The newspaper food critic and the City Health Department may have more pressing matters than your request for information.

Even if you receive a response to any of your requests, the response may be insufficient. One of the reasons for the insufficiency may be that the medium of the response may not allow for the transmission of a lot of information. For example, you may call the restaurant and ask about its menu. In response, you may receive a voicemail message that the restaurant serves French food, and that the highlights of its menu include coq au vin, creme brulee, and crepes suzette. But the highlights of the menu may not be enough to satisfy your curiosity. Nevertheless, it cannot be expected that the whole menu of the restaurant would be provided in a responsive voicemail message. That would take too much time on the part of the responder, and it would be difficult to absorb by the recipient.

Thus, your attempts at obtaining the additional information about the restaurant may be frustrated or at least prove frustrating because of the three or more calls or messages you may have to send, because the responses to your messages may be slow in coming, if they come at all, and because the information in the responses may not satisfy your request. You may suffer further frustration in seeking the additional information when you realize all of the information you seek is probably publicly available. The restaurant has menus available for perusal; the newspaper food critic probably has a list of the articles written about the restaurant; and the City Health Department has a file of cleanliness ratings. Your goal in obtaining the additional information may be thwarted by the lack of appropriate media for providing you with the additional information easily, and in a timely and complete fashion.

In sum, there is a need for a method or system to provide a recipient of a message with additional information related to the message. There is a need for a method or system that allows the recipient of a message to obtain the additional information without necessarily contacting the sender of the message. Further, there is a need for a method or system that allows the recipient of the message to easily obtain the additional information related to the message, and to obtain such additional message relatively quickly. Moreover, there is a need for a method or system that provides a thorough response to the recipient's request for the additional information relating to the message. Finally, there is a need for a method or system that allows a recipient of a message to easily make a request for additional information related to the message, that may respond to the request with information from publicly available sources, that may provide a comprehensive version of that responsive information to the recipient, and that may respond to the recipient's request quickly and efficiently.

SUMMARY

Generally, the inventions relate to methods and systems for providing a user with information correlated to a communication. Information about a user's communications may be made available to the user through a message log provided by a communications manager. A user may review the message log, and select an entry for a particular communication. Using the entry, the user may request information correlated to the particular communication. The request for the correlated information may include a feature of the data included in the entry. The feature may be used to obtain the correlated information. Once the correlated information is obtained, it may be displayed to the user. Further, the user may take action based on the correlated information.

Advantageously, the inventions described herein provide a recipient of a message with the opportunity to obtain additional information related to a message. The recipient does not have to contact the sender of the message for the additional information. Further, the inventions allow the recipient of the message to easily obtain the additional information related to the message, and to obtain such additional information relatively quickly. Moreover, the inventions allow for the provision of a thorough response to the recipient's request for the additional information relating to the message.

An exemplary embodiment of the inventions is a method for providing information correlated to a communication. For example, a message log may be displayed to a user. The message log may include entries related to communications of the user. Each entry includes data regarding its related communication. The user may select an entry for a particular communication so as to obtain information correlated to that particular communication. As a first action in some embodiments, the data of the entry related to the particular communication may be requested and displayed.

The exemplary method continues with the receipt of a request for the retrieval of the correlated information. The request may include a feature of the data from the entry relating to the particular communication in the message log. The feature may be used to retrieve the correlated information. In some cases, the correlated information that is retrieved may relate only to the feature in the request rather than to any other features that may be included in the data of the entry relating to the particular communication.

Alternatively, the feature may be used to retrieve information on the types of the correlated information that may be available. The available types of correlated may be displayed. A selection of a type ofthe correlated information by the user may be received. The substance of the selected type is retrieved and may be displayed to the user.

In some embodiments, the exemplary method may allow the user to follow a selection of a type of correlated information with a selection of another type of correlated information. In these embodiments, the exemplary method receives the selection of the other type of the correlated information. The substance of the other selected type of the correlated information is retrieved and displayed. Advantageously, whether the user has selected only one or more types of correlated information, the exemplary method provides the user with the additional information the user is seeking with respect to a particular communication.

The exemplary method has yet another advantage. The exemplary method allows the user to take action based on the additional information relating to the particular communication. For example, after the display of the substance of a selected type of correlated information, the exemplary method may receive an indicator of an action to be taken and related to the selected type of correlated information. In response, the exemplary method carries out the action. The action may include making a call, sending an electronic mail message, sending a facsimile transmission, sending a page, sending an instant message, displaying contact information, displaying a website, or displaying a map. Advantageously, the exemplary method provides the user with the desired additional information and allows the user to take action on such additional information.

The inventions also include an exemplary system for providing a user with information correlated to a particular communication. The exemplary system may include a telecommunications (telecom) manager connected to a telecommunications network, and operative to manage information on telecommunications. The exemplary system also may include a gateway in a data network, and operative to receive data on electronic communications. As a third element, the exemplary system may include a communications manager operative to communicate with the telecom manager and the gateway.

In particular, the communications manager of the exemplary system may receive information on telecommunications from the telecom manager. The communications manager may receive data on the electronic communications from the gateway. Further, the communications manager may make the information on the telecommunications and the data on the electronic communications available as communications listed in a message log.

As noted, the communications manager may include a message log. In turn, the message log may include respective entries for each communication of a user, and may include an entry for the particular communication selected by the user for retrieval of additional information. The entry for the particular communication may include data related to the particular communication. The data may be selected and displayed.

To provide the user with additional information relating to a particular communication, the exemplary system provides that the communications manager is operative to receive a request for retrieval of information correlated to a particular communication. The request may include a feature of the data from the entry related to the particular communication in the message log. The communications manager uses the feature to retrieve the correlated information from the telecom manager or from the gateway. The communications manager then displays the correlated information regarding the particular communication to the user.

Advantageously, in some embodiments, instead of immediately retrieving and displaying the correlated information related to the particular communication, the exemplary system allows the user to select from among types of correlated information that may be available with respect to the communication. This feature is considered an advantage because it may allow the user to effectively sift through a great deal of information correlated to the particular communication, and view only the desired type of correlated information. In other words, this feature is a time saver for the user.

In particular, in these alternative embodiments, after receiving the request for the correlated information, the exemplary system uses the feature of the data from the entry in the message log and related to the communication to obtain the types of correlated information that may be available. The types of correlated information may be obtained by the communications manager from the telecom manager or from the gateway to the data network.

Once the communications manager obtains the types of correlated information, the types are displayed. The communications manager may receive a selection of a type of the correlated information, and the communications manager may retrieve the substance of the selected type from the telecom manager or from the gateway in the data network. After retrieval, the communications manager displays the substance of the selected type ofthe correlated information.

In some embodiments, the exemplary system may allow the user to follow a selection of a type of correlated information with a selection of another type of correlated information. In these embodiments, the exemplary system through the communications manager receives the selection of another type of the correlated information. The substance of the another selected type of the correlated information is retrieved and displayed by the communications manager. Advantageously, whether the user has selected only one or has selected more types of correlated information, the exemplary system provides the user with the additional information the user is seeking with respect to a particular communication.

The exemplary system has yet another advantage. The exemplary system allows the user to take action based on the additional information relating to the particular communication. For example, after the display of the substance of a selected type of correlated information, the exemplary system may receive through the communications manager an indicator of an action to be taken and related to the selected type of correlated information. In response, the communications manager carries out the action. The action may include making a call, sending an electronic mail message, sending a facsimile transmission, sending a page, sending an instant message, displaying contact information, displaying a website, or displaying a map. Advantageously, the exemplary system provides the user with the desired additional information and allows the user to take action on such additional information.

In sum, the exemplary embodiments of the inventions include methods and systems that allow a recipient of a message to easily make a request for additional information related to the message, that may respond to the request with information from sources in the telecommunications network or a data network such as the Internet, that may provide a comprehensive version of that responsive information to the recipient, and that may respond to the recipient's request quickly and efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary environment for operation of the inventions described herein.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary message log as may be used with the inventions described herein.

Fig. 3 illustrates exemplary correlated information as may be obtained through use ofthe inventions described herein.

Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary message log and exemplary correlated information as may be obtained use ofthe inventions described herein. Fig. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method of the inventions described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Stated generally, the inventions allow a user to obtain information correlated to a communication. For example, assume a friend has sent you an electronic mail (e- mail) message about having dinner at a particular restaurant. The e-mail may contain a date and a time for the dinner, and may include the name and address of the restaurant. If you are interested in more information about the restaurant, the inventions described herein may help you in obtaining such information.

In an exemplary embodiment, you could highlight the name of the restaurant in the log entry of the e-mail as part of a request for the additional information. In response, you may be provided with a list of types of correlated information available regarding the restaurant. The list of types of correlated information may include as types: website; telephone number; facsimile (fax) number; address; and reviews. If you select one of the types, the substance of that selected type is retrieved and displayed. For example, if you clicked on "website" in the list of types, you are linked to the website for the restaurant and the website is displayed.

In a related patent application, a communications and information resource (CIR) manager is described. See United States Patent Application Serial No. 09/966,703, entitled "Methods and Systems for a Communications and Information Resource Manager," filed September 28, 2001, which is incorporated herein by this reference. The CIR manager may be used to implement the inventions described in this application. Prior to describing the present inventions, some background about the CIR manager is provided.

The CIR Manager

A CIR manager may function as a "super" manager with respect to the communications devices, services, and systems of a user. In particular, the CIR manager may be used to centralize communications activities and information such that the user does not have to (but may) use multiple communications devices. For example, the CIR manager may be used to keep a log of all types of communications related to the user - whatever the device, whatever the service, whatever the network.

An advantage of the CIR manager is the user does not have to check or use each type of device for its own type of messages. Another advantage is the CIR manager may obtain information from resources including third party resources so as to facilitate communications and information gathering activities of the user. With the CIR manager, the user is provided with a centralized, efficient, and user- friendly way to handle communications activities including ways to receive, view, listen to, play, respond to, store, log, monitor, delete, copy, forward, obtain, create, and to take other actions. Moreover, the CIR manager provides the user with personalized management of communications and information resources.

In addition, in managing the communications and information resources of the user, the CIR manager may provide the user with one or more of the following features and advantages:

• Recognition of the user and of others as authorized by the user;

• Remembrance and implementation of authorized users' preferences;

• Aid in finding information and resources;

• Information related to an authorized users' activities and communications including call management and detail;

• Service set-ups, configurations, changes, deletions, additions, updates, and synchronizations;

• Maintenance of user account and preference information, logs, activity logs, schedules, calendars, general directories, personal directories, and the like;

• Unified messaging including notice to the user relating to communications and/or other actions; and

• Suggestions, help, updates, reminders, warnings, alerts, and other comments. The CIR manager may integrate the features described above pursuant to a user's preferences so as to provide efficient, organized, and user-friendly communications and information resource management.

Even though the inventions are described herein by reference to a CIR manager installed in a personal computer (PC), the inventions may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, etc.

Exemplary Operating Environment of a CIR Manager - Fig. 1

Exemplary functions of a CIR manager 10 are described above. To provide these functions and others, the CIR manager 10 may interact with a variety of systems, networks, and elements that may be directly connected to the CIR manager 10, may be hosted by the same host(s) as the CIR manager 10, may be functionally connected to the CIR manager 10, and/or may be accessible to the CIR manager 10 either directly and/or through other systems, networks, and/or elements.

Fig. 1 illustrates an exemplary operating environment of a CIR manager 10 implemented on a personal computer (PC) 24. For details of an exemplary PC 24 as may be used with the CIR manager 10, see the previously referenced related application United States Patent Application Serial No. 09/966,703, entitled "Methods and Systems for a Communications and Information Resource Manager," filed September 28, 2001.

The operating environment of Fig. 1 illustrates the CIR manager 10 may communicate through the PC 24 with another computer(s) 25 connected or otherwise networked with the PC 24. The CIR manager 10 also may communicate through the Internet 26 with the following:

• Other computer(s) 27;

• A gateway 28 serving the CIR manager 10;

• An information resource 30 such as a database;

• A messaging system 32; • A voicemail system 34;

• An administrative center 36; and

• The public switched telephone network (PSTN) 38.

In addition, the CIR manager 10 may communicate through the PSTN 38 with the following:

• A telecommunications manager 40;

• A telephone (wireline unit) 42;

• A wireless unit 44;

• A pager 46; and

• A fax device (not illustrated).

The CIR manager 10 may have access to other computers 25 through local area networks (LANs), wide area networks (WANs), direct connections and other dial-up networks.

The CIR manager 10 also may have access through the PC 24 to a global communications network such as the Internet 26, and through the Internet 26 to other units, networks, and systems. Particularly, the CIR manager 10 may communicate with a gateway 28 connected to or operating on the Internet. The gateway 28 may be a service platform, or other device. The gateway 28 may be provided by the service provider of the CIR manager 10, and may serve the CIR manager 10. Communications activities to and from the CIR manager 10 on the PC 24 may be directed to the gateway 28 and/or may pass through the gateway 28 to other systems, networks, and/or elements. In passing through the gateway 28, the communications activities may be facilitated by the gateway 28.

For example, assume a user is a new subscriber to the CIR manager 10. In setting up the user for services available through the CIR manager 10, the CIR manager 10 may send a communication to the gateway 28 for routing to the appropriate element to handle such set-up activities. In an exemplary embodiment, Administrative Center 36 may handle administrative matters including set-up activities for the service provider. The gateway 28 delivers or otherwise routes the communication to the Administrative Center 36 for the set-up activity. The Administrative Center 36 may respond to the gateway 28 with questions, information, and instructions for the CIR manager 10.

Another way in which the gateway 28 may facilitate communications activities of the CIR manager 10 is to function as a router or director of communications and messages. For example, the CIR manager 10 may forward a request for data to the gateway 28. The gateway 28 may determine the data may be obtained from the information resource 30. The gateway 28 then forwards the request for data or the appropriate message to the information resource 30. The information resource 30 may respond to the CIR manager 10 or to the gateway 28, which then communicates with the CIR manager 10.

Further, the gateway 28 may facilitate communications activities between the CIR manager 10 and the PSTN 38, and other elements reached through the PSTN 38 such as the telecom manager 40, and the communications devices including the wireline unit 42, the wireless unit 44, the pager 46, and the fax device 48. Generally, the telecom manager 40 provides general functions and features related to communications of a user. Specifically, the telecom manager 40 may be implemented in a computer, on a service platform, in a network node, or other device. The telecom manager 40 may include connections to devices and networks through integrated services digital network (ISDN) lines and signaling system 7 (SS7) data links. The telecom manager 40 may be capable of functions similar to those of a service switching point (SSP) or service node (SN) of an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). For example, the telecom manager 40 may have the following capabilities: signaling, call set-up, routing, and access to databases.

Message Logs Function and a Message Log - Fig. 2

The CIR manager 10 includes a Message Logs function, which as its name implies, enables the CIR manager 10 to keep one or more message logs of the user's communications. In particular, an exemplary Message Logs function of the CIR manager 10 relates to the organization, summary, and display of information pertaining to communications activities of a user. For example, the Message Logs function may enable one or more summaries of new, reviewed, sent, or other communications. Also, the Message Logs function may enable one or more call activity logs that keep track of calls or communications activities by the user.

Advantageously, the Message Logs function allows the user to keep track of all types of communications activity including conventional messages such as voice mails, e-mails, faxes, and pages. Plus, the Message Logs function allows the user to keep track of other types of messages such as instant messages, conversations in a chat room, and attempts at contact made by others.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary message log 50 such as may be provided by the CIR manager 10 and used in connection with the inventions described herein. Message log 50 includes entries relating to the exemplary user's communications using the CIR manager 10. Specifically, message log 50 includes eight entries 52, 54. 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, and 66. Each entry includes data 68, and in this example, each entry includes four types of data: "from" 70; "type" 72; "subject" 74; and "date" 76. The from data 70 refers to the source or origin of the communication. The type data 72 refers to the type or kind of communication. The subject data 74 refers to the content, the substance, or other feature of the communication. The date data 76 refers to the date of receipt (or transmittal if from the user) ofthe communication.

Advantageously, the user may obtain additional information about the communications in the message log 50 through use ofthe inventions described herein. For example, assume the user desires more information about the communication relating to entry 54. Entry 54 relates to a voice message (such as a voicemail message) from Bill Jones received on May 20, 1999 from telephone number: (703) 345-6789.

An Example ofthe Retrieval of Correlated Information - Fig. 3

Fig. 3 illustrates an exemplary user's pursuit of additional information related to entry 54. The additional information related to an entry in a log may be referred to herein as correlated information. Generally, correlated information may be any type of information that is related in some way to the entry. In some cases, correlated information may be any type of information that is related in some way to a feature of the data in an entry.

Particularly, as illustrated in Fig. 3, a user may be interested in correlated information to entry 54. As an initial action in pursuing his or her interest in entry 54, the user may request the correlated information by activating the entry 54. Alternatively, the user may request the correlated information by clicking on one of the features or types of data in the entry 54. Depending on the correlated information available, there may be a difference in the correlated information retrieved based on whether the entry 54 is activated or whether one of the fields of data in the entry are activated. For example, activating the entry 54 may retrieve all information correlated to the entry (and to each of its respective features in the data). Activating only a feature of the entry may retrieve information correlated only to the activated feature of the data in the entry.

Activation of an entry (or a feature of an entry) is a first action in the retrieval of information correlated to the communication corresponding to the entry (or to the feature of the entry). For example, assume a feature of entry 54 is activated by the user by clicking on telephone number 704-345-6789. Fig. 3 illustrates entry 54 from message log 50, and in particular, illustrates the activation of the telephone number in the entry 54 by the highlighting of the subject data 80a field, which includes the telephone number 704-345-6789.

The activation of a feature of entry 54 calls into operation functions ofthe CIR manager 10. The CIR manager 10 receives the telephone number 704-345-6789 as a feature of the data in the entry 54, and the CIR manager 10 uses this feature in retrieving available information correlated to the communication. A feature of the data of an entry is an element of information that is included in the data of an entry relating to a communication. In this example, entry 54 includes four features: (1) the "subject" feature 80a including telephone number 704-345-6789, which represents the source of the corresponding communication; (2) the "from" feature 80b including the name "Bob Jones", which represents the originator of the communication; (3) the "type" feature 80c including the phrase "voice message", which indicates that the communication represented by the entry is a voice message; and (4) the "date" feature 80d including 5-20-99, which represents the date on which the communication was received. Of course, an entry may include fewer or other features such as a "to" feature, a "length" feature, a "status" feature, an "importance" feature, a "sensitivity" feature, a "security" feature, a "delivery" feature, etc.

To retrieve the correlated information to the subject feature 80a (704) 345- 6789, the CIR manager 10 may check its own resources, and/or may check resources that may be reached through the gateway 28 and the Internet 26, or through the telecom manager 40 and the PSTN 38. In this example, the CIR manager 10 checks its own resources using the subject feature 80a (70) 345-6789. In particular, the CIR manager 10 may compare or use other applications to compare the telephone number to other telephone numbers that may be stored by the CIR manager 10. In this example, the CIR manager 10 finds contact information 82 relating to the subject feature 80a (704) 345-6789. The contact information 82 may be found by the CIR manager 10 in the address books, other logs, or information resources of the user that are maintained by the CIR manager 10. In this example, the CIR manager 10 uses the telephone number (704) 345-6789 as the feature in checking the address or other logs for correlated information.

In an alternate embodiment, the CIR manager 10 may use other features of the data of the entry to help in finding information correlated to the subject feature 80a (704) 345-6789. For example, the CIR manager 10 may not be able to find anything in its search using the subject feature 80a (704) 345-6789. Before reporting the failure to the user, the CIR manager 10 may use another or other features of the data of entry 54. For example, the CIR manager 10 may use the from feature 80b Bill Jones to search for information correlated to the entry 54. If the CIR manager 10 finds information based on use of the name Bill Jones, the CIR manager 10 may report the failure to find information using the subject feature 80a (704) 345-6789, and also report the information found using the from subject 80b Bill Jones.

As another alternative, assume the user desires to see all information correlated to entry 54 or to all types of information correlated to entry 54. In this alternative, the user activates entry 54 rather than just the subject feature 80a of entry 54. In response to the activation of the entry 54, the CIR manager 10 may use each of the features ofthe data in the entry 54 to find information correlated to the entry. The CIR manager 10 (as explained in the paragraphs below) may determine whether there are types of information correlated to the entry, and present the user with the types of correlated information.

Reference is again made to the example provided in Fig. 3 where the user is seeking correlated information to the subject feature 80a (704) 345-6789 of the data of entry 54. As illustrated in Fig. 3, the contact information 82 relates to Bill Jones, who is the originator of the communication represented by entry 54. The CIR manager 10 notes the contact information 82 includes a website and an address. Thus, from its search, the CIR manager 10 may determine there are three types of correlated information: contact information 82; a website; and an address that can be used to generate a map. After determination that there are types of correlated information, the CIR manager 10 then may present the user with the types of correlated information. In the illustrated example, the CIR manager 10 displays a list 84 of types of correlated information that are available. List 84 includes a button for contact info 86, a button for website 88, and a button for map 90. Other forms of presentation of the types of correlated information may include an oral presentation, drop-down menus, or the like.

In response to the presentation of the list 84 of the types of available correlated data, the user may select a type. In this example, the user has indicated contact info as the selected type of correlated information by activating the button for contact info 86. In response to the selection of a type of correlated data, the substance of the correlated data is retrieved and may be displayed or otherwise presented. In this example, as a result of clicking on the button for contact info 86, the contact information 82 as the substance is displayed to the user. With respect to the contact info 86, the CIR manager 10 may retrieve the contact information 82 from its own resources such as from the user's address book. Advantageously, the user is not limited to reviewing a single type of correlated information. As also illustrated in Fig. 3, the user may select another type of correlated information by activating the button for map 90. In response to the selection of the map, the CIR manager 10 may use information from its own resources and/or from external resources to display a map to the user. Particularly, the CIR manager 10 may obtain the address in the contact information 82 corresponding to the telephone number that is the feature originally activated by the user. The CIR manager 10 may use the address with an application to which the CIR manager 10 has access for creation of a map. The map application may be present on the PC supporting the CIR manager 10, may be available from connected elements or networks, or may be available from the gateway 28 or the telecom manager 40.

Alternatively, the CIR manager 10 may provide the address to gateway 28 and/or to telecom manager 40, and request a map corresponding to the address. In response to the request, gateway 28 and telecom manager 40 use their own respective resources or otherwise obtain the map and provide it to the CIR manager 10. The CIR manager 10 may display or otherwise presents the map as the substance of the correlated information to the user.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 3, the user requests information correlated to a particular entry in the message log 50, and is presented with types of correlated information that are available. Advantageously, the presentation of the available types of correlated information to the user allows the user to efficiently pick and choose from what may be a great deal of information.

But in some embodiments of the inventions, in response to the user's request for additional information, the CIR manager 10 may retrieve correlated information directly and display or otherwise present it to the user. In other words, in some embodiments, the CIR manager 10 may not determine types of correlated information that may be available, display the list of types, and retrieve the substance of the selected type. Rather, the CIR manager 10 may directly obtain the correlated information and present it. A direct retrieval and presentation of the correlated information may occur when there is a limited amount of correlated information, or if it is difficult to determine whether the correlated information falls into types.

For example, referring to Fig. 3 again, in an alternative embodiment, the user may activate subject data 80a 704-345-6789 of entry 54. The CIR manager 10 may respond by directly obtaining the contact information 82 and displaying the contact information 82 to the user.

In the example illustrated in Fig. 3, the CIR manager 10 uses the telephone number as the subject feature 80a (704) 345-6789 for finding the correlated information. The CIR manager 10 finds contact information 82 as part of the correlated information. Contact information 82 pertains to the subject feature 80a (704) 345-6789 in that the telephone number is common to both. In other words, correlated information pertains to a feature of the data of an entry or to an entry when the correlated information and the feature or the entry have data in common. But the correlated information need not directly pertain to the feature or entry used in finding the correlated information. There may be an indirect or two or more step relationship between the feature or entry in the request and the correlated information. For example, the subject feature 80a (704) 345-6789 implies by its inclusion of the "704" area code that the associated telephone is located in the State of North Carolina. Thus, an internet link to the Tourism Board of North Carolina may constitute correlated information to the subject feature 80a (704) 345-6789.

The inventions offer the user yet another advantage. After the user has been presented with the substance of the correlated information, the user may take action based on the additional information relating to the particular communication. For example, after the display of the substance of a selected type of correlated information, the user may provide an indicator of an action to be taken and related to the selected type of correlated information. In response, the CIR manager 10 carries out the action. The action may include making a call, sending an electronic mail message, sending a facsimile transmission, sending a page, sending an instant message, displaying contact information, displaying a website, or displaying a map. Advantageously, the exemplary method provides the user with the desired correlated information and allows the user to take action on such information.

Reference is again made to Fig. 3 to illustrate an action the user may take in response to presentation of the substance of the correlated information. As described above, in the example of Fig. 3, the user is presented with the contact information 82 as the correlated information. The user may use the information in the contact information 82 to take one or more actions. For example, the user may "click-on" the name of Bill Jones' company: "Bill's Company". The user may make a search request of the CIR manager 10 for any further information that can be found on Bill's Company. As with the substance of the correlated information, the CIR manager 10 may check its own resources or may contact the gateway 28 for or the telecom manager 40 for assistance from their respective resources. Once the CIR manager 10 has obtained the information, the CIR manager 10 may present the user with the information obtained in response to the search request. The user may continue to review information presented to him or her and make new search requests based on newly presented information.

Another Example of Retrieval of Correlated Information - Fig. 4

Fig. 4 illustrates another example of the retrieval of information correlated to a communication having an entry in a message log. Refer to Fig. 2, which includes message log 50, and particularly, includes entry 52. Entry 52 relates to an e-mail communication from Maude Davis on May 21, 1999 and regarding the Chef Jean- Louis Restaurant.

Assume Maude Davis is a friend of yours and you and she have been exchanging communications about getting together for dinner. To refresh your recollection about the facts relating to the dinner, you may desire to review the entries corresponding to your communications with Maude Davis. Advantageously, the CIR manager 10 allows you review such entries. In this example, you may click on the "from" data 70 including the feature 52 "Maude Davis". As a result, you are presented with a message log of your communications with Maude Davis. Fig. 4 illustrates the Maude Davis message log 96 as including six entries 98, 100, 102, 104, 106, and 108. Advantageously, the inventions described herein allow a user to obtain additional information related to the communications with Maude Davis. Entry 98 in the Maude Davis message log 96 corresponds to entry 52 in message log 50 (Fig. 2). Assume the user is interested in additional information about the Chef Jean-Louis Restaurant which is the subject feature in entry 98. The user may activate the subject feature and thereby request correlated information.

Note: in some embodiments, actions other than or in addition to "clicking-on" or activating a feature of an entry may need to be taken to retrieve the correlated information. For example, the user may highlight a feature in the data of an entry, and use a pull-down menu or other resource to initiate the retrieval of the correlated information.

Referring again to Fig. 4, the activation of the feature Chef Jean-Louis Restaurant results in the CIR manager 10 taking action by using the feature to obtain correlated information to the subject of the feature, i.e., Chef Jean-Louis Restaurant. In this example, the CIR manager 10 may provide the feature Chef Jean-Louis Restaurant to the gateway 28 in the Internet 26 and/or to the telecom manager 40 in the PSTN 38. The gateway 28 and the telecom manager 40 may use their respective resources and check other sources for information related to the feature Chef Jean- Louis Restaurant. The gateway 28 and/or the telecom manager 40 may determine there are types of correlated information. Alternatively, the gateway 28 and/or the telecom manager 40 may provide the substance of the correlated information to the CIR manager 10. Of course, the CIR manager 10 may present the correlated information directly to the user, but in this example, the CIR manager 10 determines there are types of correlated information.

As illustrated in Fig. 4, the CIR manager 10 presents the user with a list 110 of types of correlated information including website 112, telephone number 114, facsimile number 116, address 118, and reviews 120. In this example, the user has selected the website 112 and activated it. As a result, the CIR manager 10 links the user to the website 122 of Chef Jean-Louis Restaurant. The examples presented in connection with Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate that a user may use the inventions described herein to obtain information correlated to his or her communications, and to particular features of the communications. The user may obtain such information quickly and efficiently without having to make a lot of telephone calls or send other kinds of messages. Further, the inventions allow the user to take action on the additional information.

Flow Diagram of an Exemplary Method - Fig. 5

Fig. 5 illustrates an exemplary method of the inventions described herein. After start 124, action 126 initiates the retrieval of information correlated to a communication or other information. Such initiation may take place in response to a request from a user. In action 128, a feature is used to retrieve the types of correlated information that are available. The feature used for this retrieval generally is a piece of information in the request such as a feature from the data in an entry corresponding to a communication logged in a message log. As a sub-action, a determination may take place as to whether there are types of correlated information. If there are no types of correlated information, then the substance of the correlated information may be provided to the user, and the method skips to action 142 below.

In action 130, the method displays icons of the types of correlated information that are available. In action 132, the method monitors for the selection of one of the icons. If no icon is selected (or after some predetermined time), the method ends in action 134.

If an icon of a type of correlated information has been selected, then in action 136 the retrieval of the substance of the selected type of correlated information takes place. In action 138, the substance is displayed. In action 140, the method monitors for the selection of another icon. If another icon is selected, then the method returns to action 136 with the retrieval of the substance of the another selected type of correlated information.

If in action 140 no other icon is selected, then the method in action 142 monitors for any action to be taken. For example, the user may elect to send an e- mail message based on the correlated information or may elect to obtain further information. If action is to be taken, then in action 144 the method takes the action and returns to action 140 to monitor for the selection of another icon. With respect to action 142, if no action is to be taken, then the method ends in action 134. Conclusion

The exemplary embodiments of the inventions described herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the inventions and their practical applications so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions including various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular uses contemplated. The examples provided herein in the written description or in the drawings are not intended as limitations of the inventions. Other embodiments will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the inventions is to be limited only by the claims below.

Claims

1. With respect to a message log including at least an entry with data relating to a communication, a method for providing information correlated to the communication, comprising: receiving a request for the correlated information, the request including a feature of the data from the entry in the message log; using the feature to find the correlated information; determining there are types ofthe correlated information; presenting the types ofthe correlated information pertaining to the feature; receiving a selection of a type ofthe correlated information; retrieving substance ofthe selected type ofthe correlated information; and displaying the substance ofthe selected type ofthe correlated information.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein the types ofthe correlated information that are retrieved pertain to the feature.

3. The method of Claim 1 , further comprising: receiving another selection of another type ofthe correlated information; retrieving substance of the another selected type of the correlated information; and presenting the substance of the another selected type of the correlated information.

4. The method of Claim 1, further comprising: receiving an indicator of an action to be taken related to the substance of the selected type ofthe correlated information; and carrying out the action.

5. The method of Claim 4, wherein the action comprises making a call.

6. The method of Claim 4, wherein the action comprises sending an electronic mail message.

7. The method of Claim 4, wherein the action comprises sending a facsimile transmission.

8. The method of Claim 4, wherein the action comprises sending a page.

9. The method of Claim 4, wherein the action comprises sending an instant message.

10. The method of Claim 4, wherein the action comprises displaying contact information.

11. The method of Claim 4, wherein the action comprises displaying a website.

12. The method of Claim 4, wherein the action comprises displaying a map.

13. With respect to a message log including entries related to communications, a method for providing information correlated to a communication, comprising: displaying the message log including the entries related to the communications; receiving a request for data related to an entry in the message log, the entry being related to the communication; displaying the data related to the entry; receiving an indication for the correlated information, the indication including a feature ofthe data from the entry in the message log; using the feature to retrieve the correlated information; and presenting the correlated information.

14. The method of Claim 13, wherein the correlated information pertains to the feature.

15. The method of Claim 13 , further comprising: receiving an indicator of an action to be taken with respect to the correlated information; and carrying out the action.

16. The method of Claim 13, wherein the action comprises making a call, sending an electronic mail message, sending a facsimile transmission, sending a page, sending an instant message, displaying contact information, displaying a website, or displaying a map.

17. A system for providing information correlated to a particular communication, comprising: a telecommunications (telecom) manager connected to a telecommunications network; a gateway connected to a data network; a communications manager operative to communicate with the telecom manager and with the gateway, to receive information on telecommunications from the telecom manager, to receive information on electronic communications from the gateway; and to make the information on the telecommunications and the information on the electronic communications available as related to communications listed in a message log, the message log including respective entries for each communication, and the entries including an entry for the particular communication and the entry including data related to the particular communication; the communications manager also operative to receive a request for retrieval of the information correlated to the communication, the request including a feature of the data from the entry in the message log related to the particular communication, to use the feature to retrieve types of the correlated information from the telecom manager or the gateway; to display the types ofthe correlated information; to receive a selection of a type ofthe correlated information; to retrieve substance of the selected type of the correlated information from the telecom manager or the gateway; and to display the substance selected type ofthe correlated information.

18. The system of Claim 17, wherein the types of the correlated that are retrieved pertain information to the feature.

19. The system of Claim 17, wherein the communications manager is further operative to receive an indicator of an action to be taken with respect to the substance of the selected type of the correlated information, and to carry out the action.

20. The system of Claim 19, wherein the action comprises making a call, sending an electronic mail message, sending a facsimile transmission, sending a page, sending an instant message, displaying contact information, displaying a website, or displaying a map.