Providing access to information of multiple types via coordination of distinct information services
View Patent ↗Techniques are described for providing users of client devices with coordinated access to information and/or functionality of multiple types, such as by using multiple types of connections to multiple information services of distinct types that exchange context information related to activities of the users and/or clients. The client devices can be, for example, wireless devices with multiple distinct modes (e.g., voice and data modes) for different types of connections with different types of servers (e.g., voice servers and data servers). In some situations, coordination between different servers allows multiple distinct interaction sessions of different types with different servers to remain synchronized or otherwise coordinated over time as the user performs interactions via the different sessions. This abstract is provided to comply with rules requiring an abstract, and is not intended to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
1. A method for computer-assisted accessing of information of multiple types via coordination of distinct information services, comprising:
at a first server computer, receiving a first indication of a first connection with a first wireless client device, wherein the first wireless client device comprises a coordinated multi-mode server access system executing in a memory of the first wireless client device;
determining whether the first indication received at the first server computer is a first request from the first wireless client device or an instruction from a second server computer to contact the first wireless client device;
establishing the first connection with the first wireless client device;
initiating an interaction session with the first wireless client device for exchanging data in a first type supported by a first mode of the first wireless client device; and
providing the first type of functionality, data, or a combination thereof to the first wireless client device, a user associated with the first wireless client device, or both, based on current context information associated therewith.
2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
updating the current context information at the first server computer to reflect interactions with the first wireless client device, the user, or a combination thereof.
3. The method according to claim 2 , further comprising:
notifying the second server computer of the updated context information.
4. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving a second indication at the first server computer; and
determining whether the second indication is an interaction from a second wireless client device or a server message from the second server computer.
5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the second indication is associated with additional context information from the second server computer, further comprising:
modifying the current context information at the first server computer to maintain a shared context.
6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the second indication is a second request from the second wireless client device for a second type of functionality, data, or a combination thereof, further comprising:
sending a message containing the current context information to another server computer that supports the second type of functionality, data, or a combination of.
7. The method according to claim 6 , wherein the message includes an instruction and contact information for the other server computer to contact the first wireless client device.
8. A computer program product comprising at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions translatable by at least one processor to perform:
at a first server computer, receiving a first indication of a first connection with a first wireless client device, wherein the first wireless client device comprises a coordinated multi-mode server access system executing in a memory of the first wireless client device;
determining whether the first indication received at the first server computer is a first request from the first wireless client device or an instruction from a second server computer to contact the first wireless client device;
establishing the first connection with the first wireless client device;
initiating an interaction session with the first wireless client device for exchanging data in a first type supported by a first mode of the first wireless client device; and
providing the first type of functionality, data, or a combination thereof to the first wireless client device, a user associated with the first wireless client device, or both, based on current context information associated therewith.
9. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
updating the current context information at the first server computer to reflect interactions with the first wireless client device, the user, or a combination thereof.
10. The computer program product of claim 9 , wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
notifying the second server computer of the updated context information.
11. The computer program product of claim 8 , wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
receiving a second indication at the first server computer; and
determining whether the second indication is an interaction from a second wireless client device or a server message from the second server computer.
12. The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein the second indication is associated with additional context information from the second server computer, and wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
modifying the current context information at the first server computer to maintain a shared context.
13. The computer program product of claim 11 , wherein the second indication is a second request from the second wireless client device for a second type of functionality, data, or a combination thereof, and wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
sending a message containing the current context information to another server computer that supports the second type of functionality, data, or a combination of.
14. The computer program product of claim 13 , wherein the message includes an instruction and contact information for the other server computer to contact the first wireless client device.
15. A system for computer-assisted accessing of information of multiple types via coordination of distinct information services, comprising:
a first server computer having at least one processor; and
at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
receiving a first indication of a first connection with a first wireless client device, wherein the first wireless client device comprises a coordinated multi-mode server access system executing in a memory of the first wireless client device;
determining whether the first indication received at the first server computer is a first request from the first wireless client device or an instruction from a second server computer to contact the first wireless client device;
establishing the first connection with the first wireless client device;
initiating an interaction session with the first wireless client device for exchanging data in a first type supported by a first mode of the first wireless client device; and
providing the first type of functionality, data, or a combination thereof to the first wireless client device, a user associated with the first wireless client device, or both, based on current context information associated therewith.
16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
updating the current context information at the first server computer to reflect interactions with the first wireless client device, the user, or a combination thereof.
17. The system of claim 16 , wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
notifying the second server computer of the updated context information.
18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
receiving a second indication at the first server computer; and
determining whether the second indication is an interaction from a second wireless client device or a server message from the second server computer.
19. The system of claim 18 , wherein the second indication is associated with additional context information from the second server computer, and wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
modifying the current context information at the first server computer to maintain a shared context.
20. The system of claim 18 , wherein the second indication is a second request from the second wireless client device for a second type of functionality, data, or a combination thereof, and wherein the instructions are further translatable by the at least one processor to perform:
sending a message containing the current context information to another server computer that supports the second type of functionality, data, or a combination of, wherein the message includes an instruction and contact information for the other server computer to contact the first wireless client device.