Patents by Inventor Herb E. Fickes

Herb E. Fickes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 6526274
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are provided that extend the functionality of personal information managers (PIMs) to allow a user to perform telephone control operations through the PIM. The method, system, and computer program product also allow the user to extend the capabilities of his telephone system. The user can receive information maintained by the PIM (such as contacts, unread e-mail messages, and calendar appointments) as needed, without requiring a query. The user can receive unread e-mail or reminders about imminent appointments through a pager, for example. Parties trying to contact the user can also receive information maintained by the user's PIM. For example, a caller can learn the user's whereabouts, as indicated by the user's appointment calendar, when the user is unavailable to answer a telephone call. This functionality is provided in part by connecting the PIM and its data structures to a private branch exchange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Comdial Corporation
    Inventors: Herb E. Fickes, Michael W. Brown, Jay A. Neale, John M. Baird, Michael R. Berrang