Apparatus and method for switching incoming calls through to subscribers of a telecommunications network

• US 20020181687A1
• Filed: 03/11/2002
• Published: 12/05/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Pesty, Francois, Aberer, Bernd, Ratzberger, Dietmar
• Granted Patent: US 7,218,716 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/207.04
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13003 Constructional details of switching devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1307 Call setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13173 Busy signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13286 Direct in-dialling in PBX, DDI
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/625 Arrangements in the private branch exchange

Abstract

A switchboard apparatus and method for a telecommunications system, for switching incoming calls through to subscribers, with an input device for entering connection data of a required subscriber, a condition device for determining the telephone condition of the required subscriber, and a switching device, which automatically forwards the incoming call to the required subscriber.

Claims

1. A switchboard apparatus for a telecommunications system for switching incoming calls through to subscribers of a telecommunications network, comprising:

an input device for entering connection data allocated to a required subscriber;

a condition device for automatically determining and identifying a telephone condition of the required subscriber, wherein the condition device distinguishes at least between “

Free”

, “

Busy”

, and “

Call Diversion”

telephone conditions; and

a switching device for automatically switching an incoming call through to the required subscriber if the determined telephone condition is “

Free”

, and wherein, in the case of the “

Busy” and

“

Call Diversion”

telephone conditions, a corresponding message is displayed by an output device.

2. A switchboard apparatus for a telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a data access device for determining an extension number of the required subscriber from the connection data, which includes at least a name of the required subscriber, using stored information, and for sending the extension number to the condition device to determine the telephone condition of the required subscriber.

3. A switchboard apparatus for a telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the connection data includes an extension number of the required subscriber.

4. A switchboard apparatus for a telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the data access device displays an alternative subscriber via the output device during the “

Busy” and

“

Call Diversion”

telephone conditions.

5. A switchboard apparatus for a telecommunications system as claimed in claims 1, wherein the condition device, during the “

Call Diversion”

telephone condition, decides whether a relevant line of the required subscriber is diverted to one of an answering machine and a telephone number.

6. A switchboard apparatus for a telecommunications system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the condition device furthermore recognizes “

Out of Service” and

“

Call”

telephone conditions.

7. A method for switching incoming calls through to subscribers of a telecommunications network, the method comprising the steps of:

inputting connection data of a required subscriber, wherein an incoming call is intended to be switched through to the required subscriber;

determining and recognizing, automatically, a telephone condition of the required subscriber, wherein a distinction is made at least between the “

Free”

, “

Busy” and

“

Call Diversion”

telephone conditions; and

switching, automatically, an incoming call to the required subscriber if the determined telephone condition is “

Free”

, and displaying a corresponding message in the case of the “

Busy” and

“

Call Diversion”

telephone conditions.

8. A method for switching incoming calls through to subscribers of a telecommunications network as claimed in claim 7, wherein the connection data includes a name of the required subscriber, an extension number of the required subscriber is determined from the name using stored information, and the telephone condition of the required subscriber is determined using the extension number.

9. A method for switching incoming calls through to subscribers of a telecommunications network as claimed in claim 7, wherein the connection data includes an extension number of the required subscriber.

10. A method for switching incoming calls through to subscribers of a telecommunications network as claimed in claim 7, the method further comprising the step of displaying an alternative subscriber during the “

Busy” and

“

Call Diversion”

telephone conditions.

11. A method for switching incoming calls through to subscribers of a telecommunications network as claimed in claims 7, the method further comprising the step of deciding, during the “

Call Diversion”

telephone condition, whether a line of the required subscriber is diverted to one of an answering machine and a telephone number.

12. A method for switching incoming calls through to subscribers of a telecommunications network as claimed in claims 7, wherein further telephone conditions “

Out of Service” and

“

Call”

are furthermore determined and recognized.