Methods and systems for automatic communication line management based on device location

• US 20040213212A1
• Filed: 11/24/2003
• Published: 10/28/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Telesector Resources Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Reding, Craig L., Helbling, Christopher
• Granted Patent: US 8,472,931 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/09 Third party charged communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2005 Temporarily overriding a service configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2011 Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2215/66 Third party billing, i.e. third party can also be the predetermined telephone line of the caller if he is calling from another telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/387 using subscriber identification cards
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42204 Arrangements at the exchange for service or number selection by voice at the terminal H04M1/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42221 Conversation recording systems at the subscriber's set H04M1/656
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4933 with operator assistance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4936 Speech interaction details speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13224 : Off-net subscriber, dial in to/out from network, teleworking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0029 : Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

Methods and Systems for managing one or more communications devices associated with a user of a communications network are disclosed. The methods and systems are capable of receiving an indication regarding wireless communications between a first device and a second device. This indication may indicate that the first device has entered or left a vicinity (or range) of a second device. Additionally, this may be accomplished by using a protocol such as Bluetooth protocol, the IEEE 802.11(b) protocol, and/or the IEEE 802.11(g) protocol. For example, in an embodiment, if a first device (e.g., a Bluetooth-enabled wireless phone) enters the vicinity of a second device (e.g., a Bluetooth-enabled user computer), calls for the user may be automatically forwarded to a phone of the user that is located near the second device. Likewise, in an embodiment, if the first device (e.g., a Bluetooth-enabled wireless phone) leaves the vicinity of the second device (e.g., a Bluetooth-enabled computer), calls may be automatically forwarded to the first device.

Claims

1. A method for managing calls directed to one or more communications devices associated with a user of a communications network comprising:

receiving user-defined preferences regarding handling of calls directed to at least one of the devices;

receiving an indication regarding wireless communications between a first device and a second device; and

modifying the handling of calls to the one or more communications devices in response to receipt of the indication.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving an indication regarding wireless communications comprises receiving an indication regarding wireless communications using a protocol selected from the set of Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11(b), and IEEE 802.11(g).

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving an indication regarding wireless communications comprises receiving an indication that the first device has moved within wireless communication range of the second device.

4. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving an indication regarding wireless communications comprises receiving an indication that the first device has moved outside of wireless communication range of the second device.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein receiving an indication regarding wireless communications comprises receiving an indication that the first device has deactivated wireless communication with the second device.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user defined preferences include a preference regarding forwarding calls to the first device based the step of receiving an indication regarding wireless communications between the first device and the second device.

7. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user defined preferences include a preference regarding forwarding calls to a third device based the step of receiving an indication regarding wireless communications between the first device and the second device.

8. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the user defined preferences include a preference regarding forwarding a notification regarding a call based the step of receiving an indication regarding wireless communications between the first device and the second device.

9. A method as recited in claim 8, further comprising receiving, in response to the notification, an instruction regarding handling of the call.

10. A method as recited in claim 9, wherein the instruction regarding handing of the call includes an instruction regarding forwarding the call to a user specified device.

11. A system for managing one or more communications devices associated with a user of a communications network, comprising:

a first set of one or more processors capable of receiving user-defined preferences regarding handling of calls directed to at least one of the devices, receiving an indication regarding wireless communications between a first device and a second device, and modifying the handling of calls to the one or more communications devices in response to receipt of the indication.

12. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the set of processors in receiving an indication regarding wireless communications are capable of receiving an indication regarding wireless communications using a protocol selected from the set of Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11(b), and IEEE 802.11(g).

13. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the set of processors in receiving an indication regarding wireless communications are capable of receiving an indication that the first device has moved within wireless communication range of the second device.

14. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the set of processors in receiving an indication regarding wireless communications are capable of receiving an indication that the first device has moved outside of wireless communication range of the second device.

15. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the set of processors in receiving an indication are capable of receiving an indication that the first device has deactivated wireless communication with the second device.

16. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the user defined preferences include a preference regarding forwarding calls to the first device based on whether the first set of processors receive an indication regarding wireless communications between the first device and the second device.

17. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the user defined preferences include a preference regarding forwarding calls to a third device based on whether the first set of processors receive an indication regarding wireless communications between the first device and the second device.

18. A system as recited in claim 11, wherein the user defined preferences include a preference regarding forwarding a notification regarding a call based on whether the first set of processors receive an indication regarding wireless communications between the first device and the second device.

19. A system as recited in claim 17, wherein the first set of processors are further capable of receiving, in response to the notification, an instruction regarding handling of the call.

20. A system as recited in claim 18, wherein the instruction regarding handing of the call includes an instruction regarding forwarding the call to a user specified device.

21. A system for managing calls directed to one or more communications devices associated with a user of a communications network, comprising:

means for receiving user-defined preferences regarding handling of calls directed to at least one of the devices;

means for receiving an indication regarding wireless communications between a first device and a second device; and

means for modifying the handling of calls to the one or more communications devices in response to receipt of the indication

22. A computer-readable medium containing instructions for performing a method for managing calls directed to one or more communications devices associated with a user of a communications network, comprising:

receiving user-defined preferences regarding handling of calls directed to at least one of the devices;

receiving an indication regarding wireless communications between a first device and a second device; and

modifying the handling of calls to the one or more communications devices in response to receipt of the indication.