Calling Party Patents (Class 379/201.08)
  • Patent number: 11606396
    Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to providing remote services for endpoint devices of a plurality disparate client entities. In an example embodiment, an apparatus includes a computing server configured to provide communication services, based on instructions written using a first language, for a plurality of endpoint devices respectively associated with a plurality of disparate client entities according to instructions written in a second language and responsive to client-specific sets of control data. The client-specific sets of control data are written in a second language and may be derived from a template.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2023
    Assignee: 8x8, Inc.
    Inventor: Zhishen Liu
  • Patent number: 9344542
    Abstract: Techniques to generate context information are described. An apparatus may comprise a mobile computing device. The mobile computing device may include a radio sub-system, a processing sub-system to couple to the radio sub-system, and a context information management module for execution by the processing sub-system. The context information management module may search for context information associated with a contact identifier using a context information database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Lang S. Chen, Peter Skillman, David G. Champlin, Robert Haitani, Tina Tseng, Srikiran Prasad
  • Patent number: 9143612
    Abstract: Disclosed is a Centralized Caller Profile System and methods for routing and prioritizing calls. The disclosed systems and methods provide enhanced customer service by allowing multiple parties to update and share the same set of profile information from a centralized database. The disclosed systems and methods provide for faster, easier access to profile information, more efficient call routing, and the ability to prioritize callers in a caller queue.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Inventors: Ian James Roncoroni, Gianni Martire
  • Patent number: 9042534
    Abstract: A device may receive a request to enable service on a wireless network for a user device. The user device may be associated with a wired network. The device may request network provisioning information, associated with the wired network, identifying service activation parameters. The device may provision the wireless network based on the request for network provisioning associated with the wired network. The device may synchronize caller information to a first caller information device, associated with the wireless network, from a second caller information device, associated with the wired network. The caller information may include caller identification information. The device may enable the service for the user device on the wireless network based on provisioning the wireless network and synchronizing the caller information to the first caller information device from the second caller information device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventors: Bindu Balan, Nishit Oza
  • Patent number: 8934616
    Abstract: In a call center, a caller's geographical position may be mapped together with a geographical position of a call agent allocated to handle the call. A map may display tags depicting the respective positions of the caller and the call agent with a visual link indicating the call connection. The call agent may be selected dependent on the relative proximity to the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Boutcher, Michael Joseph Parmeley
  • Patent number: 8923496
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to admission control of a communication session in a network. The admission control can be implemented by a network node at the boundary of the network or a subsystem thereof. In one aspect, the admission control can be implemented during a predetermined period and can be based at least on an admission criterion, which can be specific to an end-point device, e.g., a target device or an origination device. The admission criterion can be configurable and, in certain implementations, it can be obtained from historical performance associated with establishment of communication session. Such historical performance can be assessed within a period of a configurable span.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Sohel Khan, Jon Allen Boone
  • Patent number: 8917841
    Abstract: A system and a method for conducting a telephone survey, which reduce the number of calls that are not answered by survey participants, are provided. The system comprises means of making outbound telephone calls with a selected call display number, storing a call record for each outbound call, and routing inbound telephone calls to a voicemail or interactive phone system if the inbound calling number is identifiable from the stored call records. The method comprises the steps of making outbound calls to survey phone numbers with the call display set to a local phone number, storing a call record with each outbound call, and routing inbound calls to a voicemail or interactive phone system if the inbound call number is identifiable from the stored call records.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Advanis Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Williams
  • Patent number: 8903431
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the detection, location stamping, and logging of electronic events and subsequent generation of habitat information. According to implementations, electronic events are detected and location stamped. Associated descriptions and other data corresponding to the electronic events is retrieved and stored along with the geographic locations of the electronic events in an activity log. The information in the activity log is used to generate visual representations of one or more geographic areas in which electronic events that meet user-defined or default criteria occurred within a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Robert Koch
  • Patent number: 8885810
    Abstract: A telephone communication control apparatus is provided that ensures a user to be reached by a person who is calling the user without requiring the user to open a number, which identifies the user, to the party. The apparatus includes a registry in which at least status information that indicates status of each of a number of members is registered, wherein the number of members share a fixed telephone terminal and respectively have communication terminals. The apparatus includes— an authentication unit that authenticates a calling subscriber number of a call based on calling subscriber information in which calling subscriber numbers approved to have a session with the members are indicated when the call is made to the number of the fixed telephone terminal. The apparatus includes— a transfer control unit that transfers the call that is authenticated at the authentication unit to a communication terminal based on the information in the registry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yoshio Wada
  • Patent number: 8787545
    Abstract: A device may receive a request to enable service on a wireless network for a user device. The user device may be associated with a wired network. The device may request network provisioning information, associated with the wired network, identifying service activation parameters. The device may provision the wireless network based on the request for network provisioning associated with the wired network. The device may synchronize caller information to a first caller information device, associated with the wireless network, from a second caller information device, associated with the wired network. The caller information may include caller identification information. The device may enable the service for the user device on the wireless network based on provisioning the wireless network and synchronizing the caller information to the first caller information device from the second caller information device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventors: Bindu Balan, Nishit Oza
  • Patent number: 8761366
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using caller data to add a phone number to an outbound-call list. In one aspect, a method involves (i) a record manager receiving caller data corresponding to a phone-call; (ii) responsive to the record manager receiving the caller data, the record manager retrieving from a data storage, a first school-record corresponding to the received caller data, wherein the first school-record is associated with a second school-record; (iii) the record manager retrieving the second school-record; (iv) the record manager making a determination that the first school-record is associated with a closed operational-status; and (v) responsive to the record manager making the determination that the first school-record is associated with the closed operational-status, the record manager causing an administrator phone-number corresponding to the second school-record to be added to an outbound-call list associated with a workstation terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Tribune Broadcasting Company, LLC
    Inventor: Hank J. Hundemer
  • Patent number: 8693661
    Abstract: What is addressed is the problem of dialing telephone numbers stored in the memory of a telephonic device at inopportune and/or inappropriate times for the contacts in question. A telephonic device's database may incorporate means for flagging selected contacts or contact phone numbers for calling-confirmation step(s) to prompt the user to ensure that an outgoing call is appropriate. Alternatively, a contact's local time and/or local time zone may be displayed when browsing a contacts list and/or upon call-initiation to the contact. The proposed solutions encompass communication devices that use buttons, switches, dials, wheels, joysticks, track sticks, trackballs, keypads, keyboards, touchpads, touch screens, voice-recognition commands, biometric-authentication devices, other input technology, or any combination thereof, and wired and wireless communication device accessories.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: John Maly & Associates, Inc.
    Inventors: Lisa F. Maly, John W. Maly
  • Patent number: 8649491
    Abstract: In a call center, a caller's geographical position may be mapped together with a geographical position of a call agent allocated to handle the call. A map may display tags depicting the respective positions of the caller and the call agent with a visual link indicating the call connection. The call agent may be selected dependent on the relative proximity to the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: James K Boutcher, Michael Joseph Parmeley
  • Patent number: 8605880
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a profile server creates a profile that includes profile data and is associated with a first subscriber device. A second subscriber device receives an incoming call from the first subscriber device and queries the profile server for a profile associated with the first subscriber device. The profile server determines that the profile data is authorized for distribution to the second subscriber device, and thereby transmits the profile data in response to the received query and based on the determined authorization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen A. Sprigg, Paul E. Jacobs, Nikhil Jain, Richard Wayne Gardner, III, Gina M. Lombardi, Jamie Y. Schipper
  • Patent number: 8588214
    Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products are provided for scheduling and initiating calls. For example, a request for a prospective call between a caller and a callee can be received via a server. The prospective call can be electronically added to call lists associated respectively with the caller and the callee. In response to a determination that both the caller and the callee are available, a call between a caller device and a callee device can be automatically initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Inventors: Yoram Meriaz, Ran Meriaz, Alex Tkachman
  • Patent number: 8548145
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing element in a communication system having a controller to detect an incoming call directed to a called party, retrieve presence information associated with a plurality of communication devices of the called party, retrieve presence information of a calling party initiating the incoming call, and determine from the presence information of the called party, the presence information of the calling party, and a call processing profile of the called party how to respond to the incoming call. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Scott White, James Cansler
  • Patent number: 8537998
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using caller data to add a phone number to an outbound-call list. In one aspect, a method involves (i) a record manager receiving caller data corresponding to a phone-call; (ii) responsive to the record manager receiving the caller data, the record manager retrieving from a data storage, a first school-record corresponding to the received caller data, wherein the first school-record is associated with a second school-record; (iii) the record manager retrieving the second school-record; (iv) the record manager making a determination that the first school-record is associated with a closed operational-status; and (vi) responsive to the record manager making the determination that the first school-record is associated with the closed operational-status, the record manager causing an administrator phone-number corresponding to the second school-record to be added to an outbound-call list associated with a workstation terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Tribune Broadcasting Company, LLC
    Inventor: Hank J. Hundemer
  • Patent number: 8503645
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method to provide protection against a solicitation for information during a telephone call is described. A telephone call connection between a target device and a source device is monitored. A determination is made when sensitive information is provided via the target device. Characteristics of the source device are compared with characteristics stored in a first database. A warning message is generated based on the results of the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Symantec Corporation
    Inventor: Ian Oliver
  • Patent number: 8379637
    Abstract: Communication requests added to a conversation are routed directly to a user without following the pre-configured routing rules for the user during a breakthrough period. The breakthrough period may last for the duration of the conversation or for some other period of time. A conversation may be initiated using any supported type of communication. For example, if a user initially sets up an IM conversation with a remote user, then when a voice call is made to the user from the remote user, the voice call is routed directly to the user without applying the routing rules that are configured for the user. Once the breakthrough period has elapsed, the routing rules become active again and are applied to communications received from the remote user that are directed to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Ramanathan, Brandon V. Taylor, Pradipta Kumar Basu
  • Patent number: 8369505
    Abstract: Receiving a request from a device for an incoming call to a called number. Obtaining presence information of the called party. Presenting the obtained information via the calling device. Presenting action option(s) including an option to proceed with the call. Receiving an action choice corresponding to proceed with the call. Presenting a request for credentials to the calling party. Receiving credentials corresponding to a calling party permitted to continue with the call. Proceeding with the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Thanh Vinh Vuong
  • Publication number: 20130022188
    Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing context information pertaining to a request of a directory assistance operator service based on a context identifier. The context identifier permits the directory assistance operator service to obtain context information including a location of the user and a location relevant to a directory listing search. The context identifier also can be used to pass context information or directory listing information across multiple types of user devices that use different types of services including a television service, a mobile service, a landline telephone service, and Internet service, and third party devices to permit enhanced directory assistance services to be provided to the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Sundar Rajan Padmanabhan, Apurva Pathak
  • Patent number: 8270590
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a call setup message for a call from a calling party device to a called party device is received. At least one calling party parameter for the calling party device is determined. A user message is selected based on the at least one calling party parameter. Delivery of the user message to the calling party device is initiated in parallel with a call setup for the call from the calling party device to the called party device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Ramachendra P. Batni, Sanjoy Paul
  • Patent number: 8228825
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a method for server side integration of communication devices and the general purpose PC of the same user through a computer network wherein no physical connection is required between the PC and the communication device. The user registers with PnC (phone and computer) server for subscribing to one or more PnC services such as drop-to-call, conference-call-dropping service, webpage sharing, caller kaleidoscope etc., via user interface of communications device and/or PC. Various features for subscribing and unsubscribing to services are provided along with authenticating the user using the name and the phone number of the user while registering with the server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Min Yin, Shumin Zhai
  • Patent number: 8223941
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing element in a communication system having a controller to detect an incoming call directed to a called party, retrieve presence information associated with a plurality of communication devices of the called party, retrieve presence information of a calling party initiating the incoming call, and determine from the presence information of the called party, the presence information of the calling party, and a call processing profile of the called party how to respond to the incoming call. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: Scott White, James L. Cansler
  • Patent number: 8208411
    Abstract: A callee confirmation unit is disposed in a proxy response telephone so as to determine whether a call to the proxy response phone is one addressed to a subject number or one to a transfer destination. Upon determination of the call to the transfer destination, the call is received while identifying a callee number to allow for use in a multi-user environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hiroyuki Kakiuchi
  • Patent number: 8179916
    Abstract: In one embodiment, interworking procedures between H.323 and SIP ensure that in-band tones and announcements, along with local and remote ringback, are properly played or generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Vijay Arumugam Kannan, Sandeep Singh Kohli, Paul E. Jones
  • Patent number: 8155299
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and products process a call from a calling number to a called number. When the call is received, processing of the call is suspended. A database is queried for the calling number and the called number. A network address associated with the calling number and with the called number is retrieved. An intended recipient of the call is also retrieved from the database. A notification message is sent to the network address, and the notification message includes the calling number and the intended recipient of the call. Processing of the call is resumed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert A. Koch, Scott C. Holt
  • Patent number: 8081992
    Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for displaying a geographic location associated with an incoming call being received on a mobile device are provided. The mobile device has a user interface that provides a call screen to the user for identifying a phone number associated with the incoming call, and for displaying data including the geographic location associated with the incoming call. The geographic location is resolved by identifying a geographic location associated with a contact entry in the address book of the mobile device, or by comparing the area code of the phone number of the incoming call in a list of area codes and associated geographic location to find a match corresponding to the area code of the incoming call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Book
  • Patent number: 8065080
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for the detection, location stamping, and logging of electronic events and subsequent generation of habitat information. According to implementations, electronic events are detected and location stamped. Associated descriptions and other data corresponding to the electronic events is retrieved and stored along with the geographic locations of the electronic events in an activity log. The information in the activity log is used to generate visual representations of one or more geographic areas in which electronic events that meet user-defined or default criteria occurred within a predetermined frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventor: Robert Koch
  • Patent number: 8027447
    Abstract: The present invention allows incoming calls to be processed based on calendar information obtained from an electronic calendar of a called party. When an incoming call intended for the called party is received, a service node may retrieve the calendar information for the called party and process the call based on the calendar information. The call processing may result in forwarding the call or invoking an interactive voice response system (IVR) by forwarding the call to the IVR, and providing instructions based on the calendar information to the IVR. The IVR may then provide messages based on the calendar information to the caller as well as provide options to the caller, retrieve responses from the caller, and instruct the service node to process the call based on the responses. The IVR may also allow the caller to schedule an appointment on the electronic calendar of the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventor: Dany Sylvain
  • Patent number: 8023632
    Abstract: A menu is provided in a telephone call. The menu provides a plurality of destination options including a first destination option for a residence of a family, a second destination option for a first member of the family at a first location other than the residence, and a third destination option for a second member of the family at a second location other than the residence. A first selection of one of the destination options is received in the telephone call, and the telephone call is routed to a first telephone number corresponding to the first selection. Thereafter, an originating dual-tone multi-frequency trigger is detected. The telephone call to the first telephone number is interrupted, a second selection of the destination options is received, and the telephone call is routed to a second telephone number corresponding to the second selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Carol Gruchala
  • Patent number: 7966026
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a service that delivers location information associated with a caller. The service operates in both wireline and wireless networks, providing called parties with the location information of calling parties who use either stationary terminal devices or mobile devices. The service can operate as a stand alone service or can be a part of a calling name delivery service (or caller-ID service), delivering location information in addition to the conventional name, number, date, and time. The components of the present invention include a service control point, an address database in communication with the service control point, and a network that tracks the locations of mobile network users. The system further includes a mapping converter if the location data provided by the network is not meaningful to a subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2011
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Samuel N. Zellner, Robert T. Moton, Jr., Mark J. Enzmann
  • Patent number: 7940908
    Abstract: A telecommunications device and/or service enable a user to establish and maintain a profile which is then associated with the user or the user's telecommunication device (the “calling device”). The profile is stored on a profile server that is in communication with the telecommunications service provider. A receiving device receives a call from the calling device and is provided with the profile during call set-up. Some or all of the profile is used in connection with the incoming call on the receiving device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Qualcomm Incorporated
    Inventors: Stephen A. Sprigg, Paul E. Jacobs, Nikhil Jain, Richard Wayne Gardner, III, Gina M. Lombardi, Jamie Y. Schipper
  • Patent number: 7796998
    Abstract: A method and system for providing a service that delivers location information associated with a caller. The service operates in both wireline and wireless networks, providing called parties with the location information of calling parties who use either stationary terminal devices or mobile devices. The service can operate as a stand alone service or can be a part of a calling name delivery service (or caller-ID service), delivering location information in addition to the conventional name, number, date, and time. The primary components of the present invention include a service control point, an address database in communication with the service control point, and a network that tracks the locations of mobile network users. The system further includes a mapping converter if the location data provided by the network is not meaningful to a subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, I, L.P.
    Inventors: Samuel N. Zellner, Robert T. Moton, Jr., Mark J. Enzmann
  • Patent number: 7773739
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for automating the process of configuring a telephone system. More specifically, the techniques disclosed herein enable a telephone system to monitor the behavior of users of that system and to configure the users' preferences based on their observed behavior. For example, the system may observe that a particular user frequently dials a particular telephone number manually. In response to this observation, the system may automatically configure the frequently-dialed telephone number as a speed dial number for that user. As a result, the user may dial the number in the future by pressing a speed dial button rather than by entering the number manually. Such an automatic configuration process may enable the telephone system to be adapted to its users' needs more quickly and accurately, and with less effort on behalf of the users, than is possible using conventional systems that require their users to perform configuration manually.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Rama Raju Kalidindi, Kalpesh Savla
  • Patent number: 7751542
    Abstract: A system and method for permitting an initiator of a communication session request and a recipient of the communication session request to quickly negotiate the beginning of a communication session, such as a phone call, wherein the negotiation is performed based on the expressed current need and the current availability of the recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Reinhard P. Klemm, Doree Seligmann
  • Patent number: 7724884
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing email notification for called and/or calling parties of a call placement are disclosed. The method enables a packet network service provider, e.g., a VoIP or SoIP service provider, to register customers for email notification service, to obtain the disposition of calls from Call Detail Records (CDRs), call control elements or application servers that have access to call signaling information in real time, to identify calls that resulted in ringing without an answer or busy disposition, and to determine whether or not the called and/or calling party subscribed to the email notification service. If the calling and/or called party subscribe to the notification service, the service provider sends an email notification to the calling and/or called party containing the caller and called party information, the time of the call, the disposition of the call and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Mitchell K. Bilder, Ardell Burgess, Raymond G. Gardner, Jr., Andrew Jurczak, Karen McGregor-Barnes, Cathleen Rucki Wild, Eberhard F. Wunderlich
  • Patent number: 7653190
    Abstract: A menu is provided in a telephone call. The menu provides a plurality of destination options including a first destination option for a residence of a family, a second destination option for a first member of the family at a first location other than the residence, and a third destination option for a second member of the family at a second location other than the residence. A first selection of one of the destination options is received in the telephone call, and the telephone call is routed to a first telephone number corresponding to the first selection. Thereafter, an originating dual-tone multi-frequency trigger is detected. The telephone call to the first telephone number is interrupted, a second selection of the destination options is received, and the telephone call is routed to a second telephone number corresponding to the second selection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventor: Carol Gruchala
  • Patent number: 7627322
    Abstract: A method of call forwarding a call originally placed to a mobile telephone number of a mobile telephone to a landline telephone number of a landline telephone is provided, wherein the call is routed through a telephone network by a service provider. A forwarding location of the mobile telephone is determined using a mobile location technology. The landline telephone number of the landline telephone is provided to the service provider. A current mobile telephone location is determined by a mobile location technology. The mobile location technology is capable of locating the mobile telephone using service provider equipment. The service provider determines that the call is being made to the mobile telephone when the current mobile telephone location is at the forwarding location. The call to the mobile telephone number is forwarded to the landline telephone number when the current mobile telephone location is at the forwarding location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Barry S. Bosik, James Ehlinger, Amit Garg, Rajeev B. Patil
  • Patent number: 7565154
    Abstract: A method for transmitting position information of a mobile communication terminal is provided. The method comprises inputting a telephone number of a receiving terminal, selecting to transmit position information, calculating position information of the mobile communication terminal, and transmitting a voice communication with a signal providing position information of the mobile communication terminal. If desired, a user can input a short message service (SMS) text message prior to transmitting or prior to selecting to transmit position information instead of voice communication. Position information of the terminal is derived from the global positioning system (GPS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Hyoung-Sik Yoon
  • Patent number: 7477733
    Abstract: Systems and methods allowing a third-party to redirect a telephone call according to an intended call recipient's preferences are disclosed. Calls received at a switch for a subscriber are suspended while a query is sent via AIN or other data networks to a communications center device associated with the called party number. If the call is intended for another user of the subscriber's telephone, a third party, the actual recipient of the call notification may redirect the call to the intended user without directly interfacing with the calling party. The user may select one or more options provided to route the call according to predefined profile information provided by the intended call recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert A. Koch, Scott C. Holt
  • Patent number: 7474744
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing local time of a potential called party to a user of a telephone system (i.e., calling party). In the preferred embodiment, the local time of the potential called party is displayed on a display or announced by a speaker of the telephone system when the name or the telephone number of the potential called party is selected. The local time of the potential called party is provided prior to or while initiating a call so that the user of the telephone system can determine whether it is appropriate time to call the potential called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: VTech Telecommunications Limited
    Inventor: Holger Janssen
  • Patent number: 7333820
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing real-time position information of one party to another party by utilizing a conventional telecommunication network system such as the convention telephone network, a mobile telecommunications network, a computer network, or the Internet. More specifically, the preferred embodiments of the present invention allow a caller and a receiver of a telephone call to provide to and receive from each other position information related to the caller and/or receiver's physical location, including address information, GPS coordinates, nearby fixed locations such as a parking structure, etc. Additionally, the preferred embodiments of the present invention allow a caller and receiver to retrieve routing instructions or maps for traveling to or from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2008
    Assignee: Networks In Motion, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael A. Sheha, Stephen Petilli, Angie Sheha
  • Patent number: 7289616
    Abstract: Very flexible call management is achieved by a method for handling a call setup request (7-10, 7-22, . . . ) from A party (A1 . . . A9) to a B party (511). A reachability server (RS) receives (7-0) the B party's multiple simultaneous caller groups, profiles, redirection settings and associations thereof. Each time the B party's reachability changes, he indicates his current profile (7-20, 7-40, 7-50). Based on the call setup request, the server (RS) determines the A party's identity. Based on the A identity, one of the multiple simultaneous caller groups is determined. Then one of the multiple associations that corresponds to the determined caller group and the current B party is determined. Finally, the call setup request is processed according to the redirection setting of the determined association. The redirection settings may indicate a changed call mode, such as chatting, in case the B party is unable to take a voice call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Murali Krishna Punaganti Venkata, Chand Malu
  • Patent number: 7245612
    Abstract: An Internet Call Waiting (ICW) service provides single-line subscribers (100) connected to the Internet with incoming call information, call screening and voice messaging capabilities. An incoming call is terminated at an ICW server (154). The caller is prompted to leave a voice message and the voice message is relayed in real-time over the Internet connection (138) to permit the subscriber to monitor the message. The subscriber can choose to answer the call at any time before the caller disconnects. Subscriber profile options specify how calls are treated. Calls may be forwarded to a second directory number, directed to a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) connection, or the Internet connection may be dropped and the call completed to the subscriber's directory number. The subscriber benefits from being able to screen voice messages in real-time, which assists the subscriber in determining how the call should be terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited
    Inventors: Douglas T. Petty, Michael W. Petras, James J. Boland, David P. Dunlap
  • Patent number: 7245924
    Abstract: When a receiving end is a cellular phone, the cellular phone that displays the local time at the receiving end and a base station used in this cellular phone are realized. A time recognition unit that obtains the local time at the receiving end using the time information acquired from the cellular phone of the receiving end or the base station at which the cellular phone of the receiving end is registered in stand-by mode and a display unit that displays the local time are installed in the cellular phone. Further, when the time information or position information of the cellular phone registered in the base station in stand-by mode is requested from the calling end, a unit for sending the time information or position information at the location at which this base station exists to the cellular phone of a requesting source is installed in the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Makoto Katagishi, Osamu Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 7184533
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing an automatic called party locator service by intelligently managing lists of contacts. The apparatus includes a contact list manager (10) where lists of contacts are stored, and a locator (60) capable of sending out location request messages and receiving and handling responses. In some embodiments, the current invention may be integrated with call messaging systems, fax and or e-mail systems. In some cases, advanced features such as message delivery method selection, message customization, contact message retrieval or expiration and automatic call dialing may be enabled. In embodiments which support caller identification capabilities, the invention may be configured to have different behaviors based on the identification of the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, William Joseph Beyda
  • Patent number: 7130393
    Abstract: An illustrative intelligent network and method for providing voice telephony over ATM and closed user groups are provided that can provide significant advantages. A method for providing a closed user group service to authorize VToA calls includes determining the closed user group identifiers for a calling party, determining the closed user group identifiers for a called party, locating a common closed user group identifier that is common to the calling party and the called party, analyzing the privileges of the calling party in the common closed user group to determine if the calling party can make calls to other users of the common closed user group, and analyzing the privileges of the called party in the common closed user group to determine if the called party can receive calls from other users of the common closed user group. An illustrative intelligent network and data structure to provide closed user group services is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: MCI, LLC
    Inventors: Thomas Glenn Hall, Jr., Steven R. Donovan
  • Patent number: 7130405
    Abstract: A system, system, and program for identifying a call made or received on behalf of another are provided. In particular, a call request for a call is detected. A context for the call is requested from a context inference service, wherein the context indicates whether an on behalf of action is invoked for the call by the caller or callee. An on behalf of action may be requested by a caller or callee, automatically authorized by the on behalf of party, or inferred from other call context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2006
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Wayne Brown, Joseph Herbert McIntyre, Michael A. Paolini, James Mark Weaver, Scott Lee Winters
  • Patent number: RE41692
    Abstract: A system for obtaining location data of calling parties for telephone calls provides location data for display by a called device. Through reception of the name, telephone number, or other calling party identifier as is done through the conventional caller ID service, the called device formulates a query to a database containing location data for calling parties. Existing advanced intelligent network infrastructure may be used to provide caller ID data to the called device, and the called device uses this caller ID data to formulate the query to the database. Additionally, the called device may have access to multiple databases containing location data and may detect an appropriate database to query based upon analysis of the caller ID data that has been received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Inventor: Sunil H. Contractor