Busy Signal (e.g., Off Hook) Patents (Class 379/207.05)
  • Patent number: 11818193
    Abstract: This is a method, as well as a client apparatus and a server apparatus to provide call continuity and a better user experience for voice over IP calling including notification of all client devices in event of call disruption to a single client device as well as support for voice over IP calling in multi-device scenarios.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: Infinite Convergence Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Tharusha Cumaranatunge, Matthew Kelliher, Mukesh Phadtare
  • Patent number: 11431844
    Abstract: A communication server detects a first communication request from a first caller device to a second caller device. The communication server detects a second communication request from the second caller device to the first caller device. The first communication request and the second communication request both occur within a threshold time period. The communication server establishes, without additional input from the first caller device and the second caller device, an active session in response to the first communication request. The active session is established between the first caller device and the second caller device. The communication server dismisses the second communication request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2022
    Assignee: Zoom Video Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Vi Dinh Chau
  • Patent number: 10904392
    Abstract: A system for managing a conference call, the system comprising a call answering server configured to receive a call from an attendee device that has been forwarded from a host device, identify a conference call associated with the host device for the attendee device to join, receive a request from the attendee device to join the conference call, and connect the attendee device to the conference call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: YouMail, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander E. Quilici, Michael J. Rudolph
  • Patent number: 10868783
    Abstract: The disclosed system provides blocking of incoming messages that are intended to be received on a mobile device of a user who is operating a vehicle. When an incoming message is received, the disclosed system retrieves driving status information for the destination mobile device to determine whether it is in a vehicle that is being driven. If the destination mobile device is in a vehicle that is being driven, the system blocks message delivery to the recipient and places the incoming message in a holding queue. The system may notify the sender that the incoming message has been blocked. If the destination mobile device is not in a vehicle that is being driven, the system delivers the incoming message to the destination mobile device along with any messages in the holding queue. The system optionally notifies the sender that the incoming message and/or the previously queued messages have been delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Sheraz Dar
  • Patent number: 9609128
    Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a server connected to a network, a plurality of emergency alerts from a plurality of devices connected to the network. The method also includes analyzing, by the server, the plurality of emergency alerts to determine an emergency type of each of the plurality of emergency alerts. The method includes categorizing, by the server, the plurality of emergency alerts based on the emergency type of each of the plurality of emergency alerts. The method includes prioritizing a first category of the plurality of emergency alerts and consolidating the plurality of emergency alerts of the first category into a consolidated alert. The method includes causing the consolidated alert to be provided to an emergency responder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Joseph Dahan, Jiansong Wang, Rajendra Prasad Kodaypak
  • Patent number: 9338294
    Abstract: Task analysis of an interactive communication system (ICS) can be performed manually. Manual task analysis is costly and time-consuming process. In an embodiment, a method of defining tasks within an ICS includes identifying hub node(s) to be marked as unavailable from consideration as nodes within a task. The at least one hub node can be within a directed graph representing flows through an ICS. The method further includes, from available nodes, automatically identifying a connected subgraph that corresponds to nodes representing an area of functionality defining a task within the ICS. The method additionally includes repeating the identifying of the connected subgraph at least one time. The method also includes outputting an indicator of the at least one hub node identified and the connected subgraphs that represent corresponding areas of functionality defining respective tasks. Therefore, task analysis is improved by extracting task definitions from the graph data automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Sean J. Crist
  • Patent number: 9191507
    Abstract: A method for network initiated redial comprising the steps of receiving, at a network subsystem, from a first mobile device a request to establish a first call with a second mobile device at a time T0; notifying the first mobile device about an unsuccessful attempt of establishing the first call with the second mobile device; the method further comprises the step of registering, at the network subsystem, an unsuccessful first call attempt between the first mobile device and the second mobile device at a time T0; receiving, at a network subsystem, from the second mobile device a request to establish a second call with the first mobile device at a time T3; notifying the second mobile device about an unsuccessful attempt of establishing a second call with the first mobile device; registering, at the network subsystem, an unsuccessful second call attempt between the second mobile device and the first mobile device at a time T3; verifying whether there occurred a simultaneous or substantially simultaneous calls si
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2015
    Inventor: Aleksandra Kosatka-Pioro
  • Patent number: 8873726
    Abstract: A telephone incoming call control unit 21B of a communication apparatus B 20B counts the total number of incoming calls and the number of incoming calls for each communication type indicating the breakdown of incoming call operations, as incoming call history data 21B for each telephone terminal B 30B as a slave unit, retrieves the incoming call history data 21B upon arrival of an incoming call from a certain calling party for the telephone terminal B 30B, extracts incoming call history data on the calling party from which the telephone terminal has received the incoming call, transmits the data to the telephone terminal when the telephone terminal is in an idle state, and causes an indicator 31B of the telephone terminal to display the data. The telephone incoming call control unit 21B thereafter transmits the call signal to the telephone terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Infrontia Corporation
    Inventor: Naoko Ishibe
  • Patent number: 8867723
    Abstract: A method for a communications device (12) to successively querying a remote service platform (32) for service information updates, the method comprising at the device: monitoring a PSTN line for a trigger event associated with a PSTN call; determining if a trigger event has occurred, and if so, establishing a data session with the remote service platform; generating a request for a service information update, the request including a calling line identifier for the PSTN line; and sending the request to the remote service platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: British Telecommunications public limited company
    Inventor: Fraser Smith
  • Patent number: 8712025
    Abstract: A communication terminal includes a communication unit configured to carry out communications with a communication terminal of an intended counterparty; a detector configured to detect information reflecting a status of a user of the own communication terminal; a condition checker configured to check whether a predetermined condition is satisfied by comparing information reflecting a status of a user of the communication terminal of the counterparty, received via the communication unit, with the information detected by the detector; and a controller configured to exercise control so that a communication circuit is established with the communication terminal of the counterparty via the communication unit when it is determined by the condition checker that the condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Asukai, Yoichiro Sako, Toshiro Terauchi, Makoto Inoue, Yasushi Miyajima, Kosei Yamashita, Takatoshi Nakamura, Mitsuru Takehara, Toru Sasaki, Masafumi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8654957
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing one or more Internet Protocol (IP) services to users of a private branch exchange (PBX) in a network are disclosed. For example, the method receives user phone information from the private branch exchange (PBX) via a data feed, and stores the user phone information in a storage device located within the network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Min Lu, Leticia Johnson, Stephanie Parlamas
  • Patent number: 8619964
    Abstract: Methods and devices for controlling a set-up of a call from a calling entity (CE201) to a called entity in a telecommunications network are described. The telecommunications network comprises a service control entity (SCE205) and a service switching entity (SSE204). The service control entity (SCE205) is adapted to perform the steps of receiving from the service switching entity (SSE204) an indication that the first call attempt failed, receiving from the service switching entity (SSE204) an indication of the further call attempt, obtaining call information related to the first call attempt, determining a call establishment procedure for the further call attempt based on the call information related to the first call attempt, sending an instruction to the service switching entity (SSE204) to continue the set-up of the further call attempt according to the call establishment procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Alfonso Pisani, Biagio Maione, Rogier Noldus
  • Patent number: 8582745
    Abstract: A device detects that a first user device is calling a second user device while the second user device is calling the first user device, and sends a notification to the first user device or the second user device indicating that the first user device and the second user device are calling one another. The device receives a response to the notification indicating that the first user device and the second user device are to be connected for a call, designates the first user device or the second user device as a call originator, and connects the first user device and the second user device for the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Siddharth Chitnis, Marcelo D. Lechner
  • Patent number: 8447334
    Abstract: As a network control device which controls a call connection between a calling party terminal and a called party terminal, a network control device determines whether the own network control device is in a congestion state when a handover request is acquired from another network control device which is in the congestion state, and stops transmitting a busy tone to a mobile terminal which is the calling party terminal and transmits a ring back tone to the mobile terminal when it is determined that the own network control device is not in the congestion state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Tsuchiya, Shuichi Abe, Yoshiyuki Imai, Takayuki Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8442201
    Abstract: A telephone device comprises an operating device, a call request receiving device, a first identification information determination device and a first positive response sending device. The call request receiving device may be configured to receive a call request. The first identification information determination device may be configured to determine, on a condition that the call request is received by the call request receiving device in a time between a call preparing operation being started and the call preparing operation being ended on the operating device, whether or not telephone identification information corresponding to the call preparing operation is identical to telephone identification information of the source of the call request. The first positive response sending device may be configured to send the positive response in reply to the call request on a condition that a positive determination is obtained by the first identification information determination device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yasuhiro Kudo
  • Patent number: 8406406
    Abstract: A call connection method and apparatus in a communication system are provided, in which a call connection request message is received from each of first and second terminals, it is determined whether the first and second terminals are requesting a call connection to each other, one of the first and second terminals is selected if the first and second terminals are requesting a call connection to each other, the call connection request of the selected terminal is rejected, and a call is connected between the first and second terminals by performing a call connection to the selected terminal according to the call connection request of the non-selected terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Deok-Ki Kim, Jung-Soo Woo, Seung-Hoon Park, Su-Ryong Jeong, Young-Kyun Kim, Ho-Kyu Choi
  • Patent number: 8391458
    Abstract: A system and method of operating a communication system is described. A communication interface receives a first user request for a voice service from a communication device. In response to receiving the first user request, the communication interface transfers an initial message requesting access to the voice service. The communication interface receives a response to the initial message that indicates that the voice service is not available. After receiving the response, the communication interface receives a second user request from the communication device. A processing system processes the second user request to determine if the second user request indicates an emergency service. If the second user request indicates the emergency service, then the communication interface transfers a call request for the emergency service. If the second user request does not indicate the emergency service, then the communication interface notifies the communication device that the voice service is not available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Eric Michael Bloomcamp, Russell E. Huntsman
  • Publication number: 20120195412
    Abstract: A method for a communications device (12) to successively querying a remote service platform (32) for service information updates, the method comprising at the device: monitoring a PSTN line for a trigger event associated with a PSTN call; determining if a trigger event has occurred, and if so, establishing a data session with the remote service platform; generating a request for a service information update, the request including a calling line identifier for the PSTN line; and sending the request to the remote service platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Inventor: Fraser Smith
  • Patent number: 8213588
    Abstract: A communication terminal includes a communication unit configured to carry out communications with a communication terminal of an intended counterparty; a detector configured to detect information reflecting a status of a user of the own communication terminal; a condition checker configured to check whether a predetermined condition is satisfied by comparing information reflecting a status of a user of the communication terminal of the counterparty, received via the communication unit, with the information detected by the detector; and a controller configured to exercise control so that a communication circuit is established with the communication terminal of the counterparty via the communication unit when it is determined by the condition checker that the condition is satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventors: Masamichi Asukai, Yoichiro Sako, Toshiro Terauchi, Makoto Inoue, Yasushi Miyajima, Kosei Yamashita, Takatoshi Nakamura, Mitsuru Takehara, Toru Sasaki, Masafumi Matsuda
  • Patent number: 8213590
    Abstract: A call control system comprises a communication interface and a processing system. The communication interface is configured to receive a first access request from a communication system requesting access to a voice service. The communication interface is configured to, in response to receiving the first access request, transfer a rejection to the communication system that indicates that the voice service is not available. The communication interface is configured to, in response to transferring the rejection, receive a first call request for a priority service from the communication system. The processing system is configured to process the first call request to determine if the first call request indicates the priority service. If the first call request indicates the priority service, then the communication interface is configured to transfer a second access request to a communication network in response to the first call request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Russell E. Huntsman, Eric Michael Bloomcamp, Jeffery O. Green, Pierce Andrew Gorman
  • Patent number: 8189569
    Abstract: An apparatus for switching a user between an IP network and a PSTN is disclosed in the present invention and includes a user port, a Subscriber Line Interface Circuit, a detection circuit, a PSTN port, an IP network interface circuit and an action unit. A method for switching a user between the IP network and the PSTN is also disclosed. According to the method, the action unit is controlled by the control signal from a CPU, thereby implementing the user switching between the IP network and the PSTN on the apparatus. The apparatus and the method enable one or more users to switch between the IP network and the PSTN, implements flexible user selection between the two networks and offers user communication backup when failure occurs. Accordingly, the present invention increases the satisfaction of users and the core competence of enterprises.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jinyong Ma
  • Patent number: 8036360
    Abstract: In one embodiment of the invention, a method produces a hook status notification. The method comprises detecting an off-hook state, allocating a half-dialog identification, generating an off-hook notification message, and associating the half-dialog identification with the off-hook notification message. In an alternative embodiment, a communication platform is adapted to comprise a processor component operable to receive an off-hook notification message comprising a half-dialog identification, and to store the half-dialog identification. The communication platform subsequently receives a signaling protocol message initiating a dialog, wherein the signaling protocol message is associated with the half-dialog identification. The communication platform then correlates the second signaling protocol message with the stored half-dialog identification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Surya B. Gogineni, Daniel P. Linton, Umesh P. Katapadi, Wayne Leung
  • Patent number: 7924993
    Abstract: A charging method in One Number Links You (ONLY) service includes: delivering information of simultaneous ringing numbers bonded with an ONLY number to a Service Switching Point (SSP) by a Service Control Point (SCP) of an Intelligent Network when the SCP receives a request for calling the ONLY number; initiating a call to the simultaneous ringing numbers and detecting an off-hook-and-answering number among the simultaneous ringing numbers by the SSP; and calculating charges of the off-hook-and-answering number after the call is terminated. With the charging method provided, accurate charging between an ONLY number and its bonded simultaneous ringing numbers can be implemented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jianhai Han
  • Patent number: 7907716
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for facilitating enhanced call awareness. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include an interface that receives a signal associated with a call to a telephone number. A call information engine may be coupled to the interface and may recognize that a party to the call subscribes to an enhanced call activity service. In some cases, the party may be a called party or a calling party, and the activity may include an incoming call to the telephone number, an outgoing call, a missed call, or a waiting voicemail message. A memory may maintain a data network address for the party, and a messaging engine may initiate sending of a message containing call information to the data network address. The message may be sent in response to a trigger signal output by a notification engine without consideration for whether or not a telephone line associated with the telephone number is busy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property L.L.P.
    Inventors: Bruce Edward Stuckman, Russell William White
  • Publication number: 20100316208
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for busy override in an internet protocol-based telephone system are described. In some examples, a first communication attempt of a third party is received by a first party, the first party being in an established communication session with a second party over a communication network. A timer is initiated in response to the first communication attempt. A busy operation is performed with respect to the third party in response to the first communication attempt. At least one additional communication attempt by the third party is received during the established communication session. A busy override operation is performed with respect to the first party in response to the first communication attempt and the at least one additional communication attempt satisfying a threshold pattern of communication attempts, the threshold pattern being based on elapsed time of the timer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2009
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Applicant: VONAGE NETWORK LLC
    Inventor: Geoffrey P. Langos
  • Patent number: 7804949
    Abstract: This invention integrates instant messaging, presence, and other collaborative capabilities with conventional PBX functionality through use of a PBX-Messaging Integration Client (PMIC). The invention in its several embodiments features a method and system for using the PMIC-based computer interface to perform off-hook/on-hook presence notification for a PBX phone, establish media sessions concurrent with PBX telephonic communication, execute custom call treatment in conjunction with a PBX phone, implement call transfer capability between a PBX phone and numerous other devices, and provide PBX call control. The PBX is generally enabled with computer telephony integration (CTI) and, depending on the embodiment, a Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) such as Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The invention empowers enterprise workers with a diverse, unified and integrated set of both PBX functions and SIP-based collaboration tools.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventor: Michael S. Wengrovitz
  • Publication number: 20100189246
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for implementing call forwarding on user-determined user busy, comprising the following steps of: step 1: after receiving a session request routed by a CSCF from a calling side (401, 402), an IMS Circuit Switched Control Function (ICCF) on a called side establishing a call with a called terminal having IMS Centralized Service (ICS) capability (403), and then the called terminal ringing (410); step 2: sending, by the called terminal, a user-determined user busy message to the ICCF when a called user rejects the call (404); and step 3: notifying, by the ICCF, a Telecom Application Server (TAS) that the called terminal is in a user-determined user busy state (405), and the TAS initiating a procedure of call forwarding on user-determined user busy (406). A procedure of the call forwarding on user-determined user busy can be implemented reliably, whether the call between the called user and the ICCF is established using a calling process or a called process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 26, 2007
    Publication date: July 29, 2010
    Applicant: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Baoguo Xie, Shilin You, Zhenwu Hao, Jiyan Cai
  • Patent number: 7474745
    Abstract: A method and system provides for notification of a called party of an incoming voice phone call intended for the called party even while the called party is engaged in data communications via a dial-up modem. In response to a calling party placing a call, a telecommunications network determining whether the called number is busy. If the called number is busy, the telecommunications network determines whether the called number is engaged in data communications. If the called number is engaged in data communications, the telecommunications network further: determines a data communication protocol being used by the called party to access the data network via a modem device, retrieves from a user profile of the called party one or more user notification addresses associated with the data communication protocol, and transmits an incoming call notification message to the one or more user notification addresses of the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Massimiliano Celli, Luigi Pichetti, Marcello Velati, Marco Secchi
  • Patent number: 7327838
    Abstract: A system and method for call forwarding between a subscriber's fixed-site and mobility devices. An incoming call is received that is directed to a fixed-site device belonging to the subscriber. When a busy/no-answer condition is detected at the fixed-site device, a subscriber profile is consulted, and the call is forwarded to the subscriber's mobility device in accordance with the profile. A similar procedure is followed for an incoming call to a mobility device, which can be forwarded to the subscriber's fixed-site device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2008
    Assignee: Cingular Wireless II, LLC
    Inventor: Erik L Smith
  • Patent number: 7301661
    Abstract: A communication terminal device which comprises an SIP call control unit that performs call control by using an SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), a recognition unit that recognizes that a calling has become an error according to a response signal sent back from a called party terminal after making the call according to the SIP call control procedure, a redial management unit that manages a redial interval to make a redial when the calling has become an error, and a redial control unit that performs redial control according to redial information when the calling has become an error and the response signal contains the redial information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Sagiya, Yoshihiro Maei, Hideki Fujii, Hirotaka Kawabata, Kazutaka Saitoh
  • Patent number: 6947730
    Abstract: The invention is to provide a method enabling mobile telephones to have automatic multiple telephone number dialing capability to a same called party consisting of establishing a database recording a plurality of telephone numbers of a called party set by a user in a telephone directory stored in a memory of a mobile telephone; automatically searching the said database to determine whether the said called party has other telephone numbers when detecting that the line of one telephone number of the said called party being dialed is busy; and listing all the other telephone numbers in the said database belonging to the said called party on a screen of the mobile telephone for selectable dialing, thereby effectively reducing the time spent on user searches for other telephone numbers as well as the annoying dialing of other telephone numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Assignee: Inventec Appliances Corp.
    Inventors: David Ho, Yong-Jun Feng
  • Patent number: 6922465
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for reporting to subscribers network events in a plurality of formats and languages depending upon the particular subscriber group to which a subscriber belongs. When a subscriber requests a call, a switching node in the network invokes a trigger that identifies a signaling node for routing the call and sends a route request to the signaling node. While processing the route request, if the signaling node detects an event that would prevent the call from being routed, the signaling node identifies the subscriber group of the subscriber and determines a directory number associated with the identified subscriber group and the detected event. The signaling node then returns the determined directory number to the switching node. Using the determined directory number, the switching node establishes the call to a message node, where a message associated with the determined directory number is executed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: GTE Mobilnet Incorporated
    Inventor: Walter Wesley Howe
  • Patent number: 6823057
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for implementing call forwarding services using AIN techniques and next event list messages are described. Methods of notifying a subscriber of a call forwarded using AIN techniques are also described. In accordance with one feature of the present invention, a subscriber is allowed to set the number of rings which are allowed to occur prior to a call being forwarded. The number of rings, e.g., the ring count, is stored as part of a customer's call processing record (CPR) which is used by a service control point (SCP) to implement the call forwarding service. The ring count information may be updated via the Internet or via a dial-up telephone connection. Call forwarding customers are provided with a distinctive ring, e.g., a ring shorter than an ordinary telephone ring, to notify them when a call is being forwarded. Distinctive rings may be used to distinguish between different forwarding services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Verizon Network Services Inc.
    Inventors: Barry Paul Pershan, Phil Biedronski, Michael W. McKeehan, Joseph Mitchell West
  • Patent number: 6563915
    Abstract: The invention provides a system that includes a method and apparatus for automatically barging-in on telephone calls. When a first party is talking to a second party, a third party may be automatically connected to the first party and the second party given an option to hold or leave a voice mail message. In addition, when a first party is connected to a stored information service provider, a third party may be automatically connected to the first party and a bookmark is set in the stored information. If the call between the first party and the third party does not exceed a predetermined time limit, the first party may resume the stored information service from the location of the bookmark.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Steven Charles Salimando
  • Patent number: 6418217
    Abstract: An arrived call receiving system including a caller's number automatic recognition unit for extracting and recognizing a phone number included in an arrived call, an automatic answering unit for confirming by the caller whether the recognized phone number is correct and recognizing a reply from the caller, as well as conducting necessary processing according to the contents of the recognized reply, a caller's information storage unit and a caller's information data base for storing the phone number of the caller obtained by the caller's number automatic recognition unit, and a caller automatic call-up unit for reading the phone number of the caller stored in the caller's information data base to automatically call up the caller according to instructions of an operator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2002
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Shinichi Ukon
  • Patent number: 6324281
    Abstract: The invention relates to a procedure for the processing of an unexpected disconnect request in an access node (AN) which is connected to a local exchange (LE) over a V5 interface. In the access node (AN), call setdown is effected by means of a disconnect message, which is sent from the local exchange (LE) and on the basis of which the call resources in the local exchange (LE) are released. According to the invention, the resources reserved in the access node (AN) for the call are preserved. Moreover, the local exchange (LE) is informed that the subscriber is busy, thus preventing the occurrence of an undefined condition between the local exchange (LE) and the access node (AN).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2001
    Assignee: Nokia Networks Oy
    Inventors: Olli Liinamaa, Vesa Heikkila, Timo Juntunen