Multiple devices ringing coordination

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9723121-B2
Application number	US-201514661087-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 18, 2015
Priority date	Mar 18, 2015
Publication date	Aug 1, 2017
Grant date	Aug 1, 2017

Abstract

A method includes accessing, at a first user device, an application that coordinates ringing of multiple user devices registered to a smart phone number that are within a predetermined proximity of each other. The method includes broadcasting an identity and a ring state associated with the user device. A presence is to be detected within the predetermined proximity of at least one additional user device associated with the smart phone number. The method includes determining a ringing user device based on predetermined rules of selection between the at least one additional user device and the first user device. The method further includes determining activity to be performed by at least one other user device in event of an incoming call to the smart phone number. The method also includes receiving an incoming call at the smart phone number and ringing the ringing device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
accessing, at a first user device, an application that coordinates ringing of multiple user devices registered to a particular telephone number that are within a predetermined proximity of each other, wherein the particular telephone number is a same telephone number for each user device of the multiple user devices;
broadcasting an identity and a ring state associated with the first user device;
detecting a presence within the predetermined proximity of at least one additional user device, of the multiple user devices, associated with the particular telephone number;
determining a single ringing user device, of the at least one additional user device, based on predetermined rules of selection between the at least one additional user device and the first user device, wherein the single ringing user device is to ring upon receipt of an incoming call to the particular telephone number;
determining activity to be performed by at least one other user device, of the at least one additional user device, in event of an incoming call to the particular telephone number, wherein the at least one other user device includes a device other than the single ringing user device; and
receiving an incoming call at the particular telephone number and ringing the determined single ringing user device.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the activity to be performed by the at least one other user device further comprises:
determining that the at least one other user device is to vibrate and not output audible ringing.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the activity to be performed by the at least one other user device further comprises:
determining that the at least one other user device is to be silent.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the activity to be performed by the at least one other user device further comprises:
determining that the at least one other user device is to provide a visual indicator of the incoming call.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the single ringing user device further comprises:
determining the single ringing user device based on motion associated with at least one of the at least one additional user device or the first user device.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the single ringing user device further comprises:
determining the single ringing user device based on a type of call associated with the incoming call.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the single ringing user device further comprises:
determining the single ringing user device based on a caller associated with the incoming call.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the activity to be performed by the at least one other user device further comprises:
determining that an interface is to provide a capability to join an ongoing call at the at least one other user device associated with the particular telephone number.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein determining the single ringing user device further comprises:
determining the single ringing user device based on a location associated with the at least one additional user device and the first user device.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the presence within the predetermined proximity further comprises:
detecting the presence based on instructions input by a user that define a maximum distance of the predetermined proximity.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein detecting the presence within the predetermined proximity further comprises:
detecting the presence based on instructions input by a user that define a minimum signal strength associated with the predetermined proximity.

12. A first user device comprising:
a memory to store a plurality of instructions; and
a processor configured to execute instructions in the memory to:
access an application that coordinates ringing of multiple user devices registered to a particular telephone number that are within a predetermined proximity of each other, wherein the particular telephone number is a same telephone number for each user device of the multiple user devices;
broadcast an identity and a ring state associated with the first user device;
detect a presence within the predetermined proximity of at least one additional user device, of the multiple user devices, associated with the particular telephone number;
determine a single ringing user device, of the at least one additional user device, based on predetermined rules of selection between the at least one additional user device and the first user device, wherein the single ringing user device is to ring upon receipt of an incoming call to the particular telephone number;
determine activity to be performed by at least one other user device, of the at least one additional user device, in event of an incoming call to the particular telephone number, wherein the at least one other user device includes a device other than the single ringing user device; and
receive an incoming call at the particular telephone number and ring the determined single ringing user device.

13. The first user device of claim 12 , wherein, when determining the activity to be performed by the at least one other user device, the processor is further configured to:
determine that the at least one other user device is to vibrate and not output audible ringing.

14. The first user device of claim 12 , wherein, when determining the activity to be performed by the at least one other user device, the processor is further configured to:
determine that the at least one other user device is to provide a visual indicator of the incoming call.

15. The first user device of claim 12 , wherein, when determining the single ringing user device, the processor is further configured to:
determine the single ringing user device based on motion associated with at least one of the at least one additional user device or the first user device.

16. The first user device of claim 12 , wherein, when determining the single ringing user device, the processor is further configured to:
determine the single ringing user device based on a type of call associated with the incoming call.

17. The first user device of claim 12 , wherein, when determining the single ringing user device, the processor is further configured to:
determine the single ringing user device based on a caller associated with the incoming call.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium including instructions to be executed by a processor, the instructions including one or more instructions, when executed by the processor, for causing the processor to:
access, at a first user device, an application that coordinates ringing of multiple user devices registered to a particular telephone number that are within a predetermined proximity of each other, wherein the particular telephone number is a same telephone number for each user device of the multiple user devices;
broadcast an identity and a ring state associated with the first user device;
detect a presence within the predetermined proximity of at least one additional user device, of the multiple user devices, associated with the particular telephone number;
determine a single ringing user device, of the at least one additional user device, based on predetermined r

Assignees

• Verizon Patent & Licensing Inc

Inventors

• Lam Andrew Wahlon
• Coglon Jason A

Classifications

• H04M1/72412

  using two-way short-range wireless interfaces · CPC title

• H04M3/42255

  with the subscriber having a personal network-independent number · CPC title

• H04M1/72527 Primary

  Electricity · mapped topic

• H04M3/465

  Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained · CPC title

• H04M2203/2094

  Proximity · CPC title