Text Alternative To Established Voice Call Session

Abstract

Methods and systems are described wherein an initiating device sends a communication requesting a voice call session with a recipient device. In response, the initiating device receives a communication indicating that the initiating device can provide a text message instead of establishing the voice call session. In some cases, the communication may refuse the request voice call session, while in other cases the communication may simply indicate that the recipient device supports text messaging as an alternative to voice mail. As a result of the received communication, the initiating device outputs a text input prompt. After receiving text input in response to the prompt, the initiating device sends a text message containing the received text input.

1 . A method comprising:
 receiving, by a second device, a request for a voice call session with a first device;   sending, to the first device, a refusal of the request for the voice call session, wherein the refusal comprises an indication of a preference for receiving a text message; and   receiving, after sending the indication, a first text message from the first device.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second device comprises a server. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the sending the refusal of the request for the voice call session is based on a determination that a period of time has elapsed since receiving the request for the voice call session. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving, from the first device, an acknowledgement of the first text message has been received;   starting, based on the acknowledgement, a timer; and   indicating, based on an expiration of the timer, a missed call from the first device.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 sending, based on a determination that an acknowledgement that the first text message has not been received, the voice call session to voicemail.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 generating a user interface; and   receiving, via the user interface, the refusal of the request for the voice call session.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second device comprises a called terminal. 
     
     
         8 . A second device comprising:
 one or more processors; and   memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the second device to:
 receive a request for a voice call session with a first device; 
 send, to the first device, a refusal of the request for the voice call session, wherein the refusal comprises an indication of a preference for receiving a text message; and 
 receive, after sending the indication, a first text message from the first device. 
   
     
     
         9 . The second device of  claim 8 , wherein the second device comprises a server. 
     
     
         10 . The second device of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the second device to send the refusal based on a determination that a period of time has elapsed since receiving the request for the voice call session. 
     
     
         11 . The second device of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the second device to:
 receive, from the first device, an acknowledgement that the first text message has been received;   start, based on the acknowledgement, a timer; and   indicate, based on an expiration of the timer, a missed call from the first device.   
     
     
         12 . The second device of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the second device to:
 send, based on a determination that an acknowledgement of the first text message has not been received, the voice call session to voicemail.   
     
     
         13 . The second device of  claim 8 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the second device to:
 generate a user interface; and   receive, via the user interface, the refusal of the request for the voice call session.   
     
     
         14 . The second device of  claim 8 , wherein the second device comprises a called terminal. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed, cause a second device to:
 receive a request for a voice call session with a first device;   send, to the first device, a refusal of the request for the voice call session, wherein the refusal comprises an indication of a preference for receiving a text message; and   receive, after sending the indication, a first text message from the first device.   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the second device comprises a server. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the second device to send the refusal based on a determination that a period of time has elapsed since receiving the request for the voice call session. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the second device to:
 receive, from the first device, an acknowledgement that the first text message has been received;   start, based on the acknowledgement, a timer; and   indicate, based on an expiration of the timer, a missed call from the first device.   
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the second device to:
 send, based on a determination that an acknowledgement of the first text message has not been received, the voice call session to voicemail.   
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the instructions, when executed, cause the second device to:
 generate a user interface; and   receive, via the user interface, the refusal of the request for the voice call session.   
     
     
         21 . The non-transitory computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the second device comprises a called terminal. 
     
     
         22 . A system comprising:
 a first device; and   a second device,   wherein the second device is configured to:
 receive a request for a voice call session with the first device; 
 send, to the first device, a refusal of the request for the voice call session, wherein the refusal comprises an indication of a preference for receiving a text message; and 
 receive, based on the indication, a first text message from the first device; and wherein the first device is configured to: 
 send the request for the voice call session. 
   
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the second device comprises a server. 
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein second device is configured to send the refusal based on a determination that a period of time has elapsed since receiving the request for the voice call session. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the second device is configured to:
 receive, from the first device, an acknowledgement that the first text message has been received;   start, based on the acknowledgement, a timer; and   indicate, based on an expiration of the timer, a missed call from the first device.   
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the second device is configured to:
 send, based on a determination that an acknowledgement of the first text message has not been received, the voice call session to voicemail.   
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the second device is configured to:
 generate a user interface; and   receive, via the user interface, the refusal of the request for the voice call session.   
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 22 , wherein the second device comprises a called terminal.