Real-time communications architecture and methods for use with a personal computer system

Abstract

A system and method for improved real-time communications in a computer system that eliminates the distinctions between various communication devices, communication channels and types of communication, including voice, text and video, is provided. When connected for communication, the user may easily move between modalities, including switching devices on which the user is communicating, switching networks, and transitioning between types of communication. A computer system includes various integrated communications-related devices, and a controller controls those devices based on user actions entered via buttons or user interface software and provides notifications to the user. The user is able to input data via any appropriate input mechanism, and receive data on any suitable output mechanism. Improved non-linear caller ID navigation is also provided.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . In a computing environment, a method comprising: 
 receiving a call on one of a plurality of communications networks;    providing a notification of the call; and    coupling the call to a selected communication device independent of the communication network on which the call was received.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing a notification of the call comprises displaying caller ID information.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein providing a notification of the call comprises sounding an audible alert.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the call comprises detecting an incoming POTS call.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the call comprises detecting an incoming PBX call.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the call comprises detecting an incoming text message.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the call comprises detecting an incoming call from a mobile telephone network.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising routing audio information of the call to a communications device that cannot directly receive mobile telephone network signals.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein receiving the call comprises detecting an incoming Internet Protocol-based call.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, switching the call to another communication device that is different from the selected communications device.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, transitioning the call to include another communications network.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, changing a call type.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein changing a call type comprises activating video with respect to a call that was not originally a video call.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising, changing a video state.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein changing a call type comprises activating audio with respect to a call that was not originally an audio call.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein changing a call type comprises activating text messaging with respect to a call that was not originally an text messaging call.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising, putting another call on hold before coupling the call to the selected communication device.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein coupling the call to the selected communication device includes conferencing the call with at least one other call coupleed to the selected communication device.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein coupling the call to the selected communication device comprises coupling the call to a voice recording mechanism.  
     
     
         20 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         21 . In a computing environment, a method comprising: 
 receiving a request to establish a call;    selecting one of a plurality of communications networks to establish the call;    establishing the call; and    connecting the call to a communication device independent of the communication network on which the call was established.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein receiving a request to establish a call comprises receiving data via a user interface.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein receiving a request to establish a call comprises receiving voice command data.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein establishing the call comprises connecting to a call recipient via a POTS line.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein establishing the call comprises connecting to a call recipient via a PBX line.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21  wherein establishing the call comprises sending a text message.  
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21  wherein establishing the call comprises connecting to a call recipient via a mobile telephone network.  
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein establishing the call comprises connecting to a call recipient via an internet connection.  
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21  wherein establishing the call comprises connecting to a call recipient via an intranet connection.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising, after establishing the call, switching the call from one communication device to that is different from the communications device to which the call was connected.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising, transitioning the call to include another communications network.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising activating video with respect to a call that was not originally established as a video call.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 32  further comprising, changing a video state.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising activating audio with respect to a call that was not originally established as an audio call.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising activating text messaging with respect to a call that was not originally established as a text messaging call.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising, putting another call on hold before establishing the call.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising conferencing the call with at least one other call.  
     
     
         37 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of  claim 21 .  
     
     
         38 . In a computing environment, a method comprising: 
 connecting to a call as an actively connected call;    while connected to the actively connected call, 
 a) displaying at least two other waiting calls; and  
 b) enabling navigation among the displayed sets of data to select as a selected call a call that is different from the actively connected call, there being at least one intermediate set of data representing another call between the set of data representing the active call and the set of data representing the selected call;  
 and  
   connecting to the selected call.    
     
     
         39 . A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the method of  claim 38 .  
     
     
         40 . In a computing environment, a system comprising: 
 means for connecting to a call as an actively connected call;    means for displaying at least two other waiting calls while connected to the actively connected call,    means for navigating among the displayed sets of data while connected to the actively connected call to select as a selected call a call that is different from the actively connected call, there being at least one intermediate set of data representing another call between the set of data representing the active call and the set of data representing the selected call; and    means for connecting to the selected call.    
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 40  wherein the means for displaying comprises a graphical display.  
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 40  wherein the means for displaying comprises a text display.  
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 40  wherein the means for navigating comprises at least one button interface.  
     
     
         44 . In a computing environment, a subsystem comprising: 
 means for selecting one of a plurality of communications networks to establish a call;    means for establishing the call; and    means for connecting the call to a communication device independent of the communication network on which the call was established.    
     
     
         45 . In a computing environment, a subsystem comprising: 
 means for connecting a call to a communication device on a first communication network; and    means for transitioning the call to include a second communication network.    
     
     
         46 . In a computing environment, a system comprising: 
 means for receiving communications; and    means for synchronizing communications across divergent mediums.    
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 46  wherein the divergent mediums include video over IP and voice over POTS.  
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 46  wherein the divergent mediums include video over IP and voice over a wireless network.