Techniques for Providing Reachability Status in a Communication Network

Simple SummaryContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

This invention provides a way for users to check whether someone they wish to call or connect with (the 'B-Party') is currently reachable before initiating a call or communication attempt. An application server collects real-time status information from the network (such as 'busy', battery level, network connection, etc.) and/or device, calculates a probability or qualitative indicator of reachability based on a defined metric, and sends this status to the caller (the 'A-Party'). The reachability status can be shown as icons or symbols on the caller’s device, helping them decide whether to initiate a call, try later, or choose another contact method.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Mobile phone apps that indicate in real-time if a contact is available for calls before dialing.
• Business communication platforms that help employees know when colleagues can be reached for urgent discussions.
• Smartphone or VoIP services that want to reduce failed or inconvenient calling attempts.
• Integration into Unified Communication dashboards to visually display presence/reachability across multiple contacts.
• Telephony services for call centers to prioritize calls to reachable clients, saving time and resources.
• Enhanced AR/VR meeting platforms where participant reachability is checked before session entry.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Reduces failed call attempts and saves users’ time.
• Improves user experience by allowing callers to contact people only when they are likely to be available.
• Can help avoid disturbing the recipient during inopportune times (e.g., device muted, busy, or battery low).
• Enables smarter decision making for synchronous communication versus messaging or email.
• Helps businesses enhance communication efficiency and responsiveness.
• Provides a quantitative or visual indicator (like an icon or percentage) for easy and fast assessment.

Technical Classifications (CPCs)

Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The disclosure relates to an application server (210) for providing a reachability status of a second communication device (2120) to a first communication device (110), the application server (210) comprising: a client interface (311) with a first communication device (110); a network interface (312) with a communication network (220); a processor (313), configured to: receive a client request (301) for a reachability status of a second communication device (120) via the client interface (311), transmit a network request (302) for at least one of subscriber data (303) and device data (304) of the second communication device (120) via the network interface (312) based on the client request (301), receive a network response (305) to the network request (302), wherein the network response (302) comprises the at least one of subscriber data (303) and device data (304) of the second communication device (120), determine a reachability status (306) of the second communication device (120) based on a metric with respect to the at least one of subscriber data (303) and device data (304) of the second communication device (120), and transmit the reachability status (306) of the second communication device (120) via the client interface (311) to the first communication device (110).