Informing caller of callee activity mode
A system and method provide callee activity mode information to a caller (including a potential caller). Thus the caller can find out the current callee activity mode, and the callee's availability to receive telephone calls. Callees can configure the system and method to provide different types of information depending on various factors including caller identity. The invention provides functionality for displaying callee activity mode information after a call is attempted, or before it is attempted, or both.
1. A computer-implemented method of providing a first user activity mode to a remotely located second user, comprising:
transmitting the first user activity mode to a device controlled by the second user prior to an initiation of a call to the first user; and
outputting, at a device controlled by the second user, a representation of the first user activity mode;
wherein the first and second users are not associated with a common private branch exchange.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode comprises outputting the representation at a device controlled by the second user.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the user activity mode comprises one selected from the group consisting of: busy, available, at home, at work, in a meeting, and on vacation.
4. The method of claim 1 , farther comprising outputting, at the device controlled by the second user, forwarding information for the first user.
5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising outputting, at the device controlled by the second user, an indication as to when the current mode will change to another mode.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode comprises outputting the representation at a wireless device controlled by the second user.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode comprises outputting a visual indicator.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode comprises outputting an auditory indicator.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein transmitting the activity mode comprises transmitting the activity mode from one network to a second network.
10. A computer-implemented method of providing a first user activity mode to a remotely located second user, comprising:
receiving, from a first user, a mode sharing setting;
responsive to the mode sharing setting indicating that mode information is to be shared:
transmitting the first user activity mode to a device controlled by the second user prior to initiating a call to the first user; and
outputting, at the device controlled by the second user, a representation of the first user activity mode;
wherein the first user and second user are not associated with a common private branch exchange.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the mode sharing setting comprises a list of at least one user with whom mode information can be shared; and wherein:
transmitting the first user activity mode and outputting a representation of the first user activity mode are performed responsive to the mode sharing setting indicating that mode is to be shared and to the list including the second user.
12. The method of claim 10 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode is performed responsive to the second user initiating a call to the first user.
13. The method of claim 10 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode is performed responsive to the second user entering an identifier for the first user.
14. The method of claim 10 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode is performed responsive to the second user selecting the first user from a directory.
15. The method of claim 10 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode is performed responsive to the second user indicating an interest in calling the first user.
16. A computer-implemented method of providing a first user activity mode to a remotely located second user, comprising:
transmitting the first user activity mode to a device controlled by the second user prior to initiating a call; and
outputting a representation of the first user activity mode responsive to input provided by the second user;
wherein the first user and second user are not associated with a common private branch exchange.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein providing input corresponding to the first user comprises selecting the first user on a display.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein providing input corresponding to the first user comprises entering a telephone number for the first user.
19. The method of claim 16 , wherein providing input corresponding to the first user comprises entering identifying indicia for the first user.
20. The method of claim 16 , wherein transmitting the first user activity mode is performed responsive to the second user providing input on the device.
21. A system of providing a first user activity mode to a remotely located second user, comprising:
a call management module;
a calling device, communicatively coupled to the call management module and controlled by the second user wherein:
the calling device receives the first user activity mode information prior to initiating a call;
an output device, associated with the calling device;
wherein the first user and second user are not associated with a common private branch exchange.
22. The system of claim 21 , wherein the calling device comprises a telephone controlled by the second user.
23. The system of claim 21 , whereing the user activity mode comprises on selected from the group consisting of: busy, available, at home, at work, in a meeting, and on vacation.
24. The system of claim 21 , wherein the output device outputs forwarding information for the first user.
25. The system of claim 21 , wherein the output device outputs an indication as to when the current mode will change to another mode.
26. The system of claim 21 , wherein the calling device comprises a wireless telephone controlled by the second user.
27. The system of claim 21 , wherein the output device comprises a display, and wherein the representation of the first user activity mode comprises a visual indicator.
28. The system of claim 21 , wherein the output device comprises a speaker, and wherein the representation of the first user activity mode comprises an auditory indicator.
29. The system of claim 21 , wherein the first user is associated with a first telephone network and the calling device is associated with a second telephone network.
30. The system of claim 21 , wherein the output device outputs the representation of the first user activity mode responsive to the second user initiating a call to the first user.
31. The system of claim 21 , wherein the output device outputs the representation of the first user activity mode responsive to the second user entering an identifier for the first user.
32. The system of claim 21 , wherein the output device outputs the representation of the first user activity mode responsive to the second user selecting the first user from a directory.
33. The system of claim 21 , wherein the output device outputs the representation of the first user activity mode responsive to the second user indicating an interest in calling the first user.
34. A system of providing a first user activity mode to a remotely located second user, comprising:
a calling device, associated with the second user; and
a callee device, associated with a first user;
wherein said device transmits the first user activity mode prior to initiation of a call; and
wherein the calling device and callee telephone are not associated with a common private branch exchange.
35. A system of providing a first user activity mode to a remotely located second user, comprising:
a calling device, associated with the second user; and
a callee device, associated with a first user that transmits the first user activity mode to the calling device prior to the initiation of a call;
wherein the first user and second user are not associated with a common private branch exchange.
36. The system of claim 35 , wherein the calling device comprises an input device for accepting selection of the first user by the second user.
37. The system of claim 35 , wherein the calling device comprises an input device for accepting the first user's telephone number by the second user.
38. The system of claim 35 , wherein the calling device comprises an input device for accepting identifying indicia for the first user.
39. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode is performed responsive to the second user initiating a call to the first user.
40. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode is performed responsive to the second user entering an identifier for the first user.
41. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode is performed responsive to the second user selecting the first user from a directory.
42. The method of claim 1 , wherein outputting the representation of the first user activity mode is performed responsive to the second user indicating an interest in calling the first user.