Iceberg Preferences Manager Rahul Biswas and Bhaskar Raman ISRG Winter 2000 Retreat

The Role of Preferences Preferences allow users to control how their communications are handled Users have a script that decides what to do when a call session is initiated Decisions may refer to caller identity, the type of device the caller is using, the time of day, user status, and special circumstances

Some Examples A telemarketer calls you … and the call is automatically dropped Your pal calls while you’re talking to your sister in Portugal; he’s sent directly to voic Your niece calls and you’re not at your desk; the system tries your cellular and home phones automatically

How does it know what to do? Users specify a set of rules Rules are flexible yet concise Many tasks are automated: –aggregating people into groups –determining who can interrupt whom through call waiting –having the system find you when you want to receive a phone call

Some Sample Rules If a friend or a relative is calling and I am not sleeping, have the system find me If my boss s me, send a copy of the message to my voic If I get a fax, convert it to and page me to let me know that it is here

Additional Features A call simulator that lets you figure out if your rules do what you want them to A configuration interface that lets you enter what communications gear you own and their settings A time module that lets you specify time spans like ‘resting’, ‘at the office’, or ‘eating dinner’

Future Plans Integration with palmtops for contact and scheduling information Wizards to help people make good rules Telephone and web interfaces Personal 911 Service