Information communication apparatus and method

• US 20040240653A1
• Filed: 02/05/2004
• Published: 12/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/05/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Artoun Ramian
• Original Assignee: Artoun Ramian
• Inventors: Ramian, Artoun
• Application Number:
  US10/772,770
• Publication Number:
  US 20040240653A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/201.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• 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 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308

Abstract

A communication apparatus and method that enables a user to effect a change of telephone number, at will, without involving any technical support, or service provider personnel. Publishing a user'"'"'s telephone number to a predefined list of third parties is also provided. Verification of the forwarded telephone number is provided as well as the ability of a user to invite or reject forwarded calls to accept or reject calls. Call management rules, affecting incoming calls, on a call by call, or calling party by calling party basis is provided on a case by case basis. These rules may further be applied to calling groups. The user may express the current user mode and indicate whether the user can be reached or not. Additional information related to calling parties utilizing a proprietary server or other third party directories, databases and the like can also be obtained. Further, authorized third party callers can communicate directly with the user'"'"'s call management system. The user'"'"'s handset may be locked, unlocked by the reception of a reception of a pre-defined short message transmitted via a corresponding server. The lock can be removed by entry of a valid PIN code on the keypad of the cellular phone. Further, the owner may place a permanent lock on the cellular phone, such that no calls can be made or received if the handset is stolen or lost. This lock can only be removed by the manufacturer of the cellular phone, or authorized agencies. Additionally, the owner may erase all memory contents of the cellular phone by reception of a pre-defined message.

Claims

1. An automated call handling system comprising:

at least one handset adapted to receive and transmit telephony communication;

at least one computer server, associated with said at least one handset, wherein said at least one computer server functions as a telephone exchange regarding said at least one handset;

said computer server having an account number and a plurality of handset numbers corresponding to said account number wherein said handset number used to contact said handset can be changed at will by a user in response to a telephone call made to said automated call handling system'"'"'s (ACHS'"'"'s) account number.

2. The automated call handling system of claim 1 wherein said computer server has a mode having an authorization code corresponding to the time of day, day of week, and calling party such that the user can change authorization code at will.

3. The automated call handling system of claim 2 where the authorization code can be used to direct the telephone call to ACHS to a particular said at least one handset in accordance with mode setting provided by the user.

4. The ACHS of claim 3 further comprising means for providing additional information to the user about the identify of the telephone call made to the ACHS such said the user can decide whether to accept or reject the telephone call.

5. The ACHS of claim 4 further comprising means for sending a coded message to said at least one handset in response to a security message received by said ACHS which results in said at least one handset being totally blocked as to incoming and outgoing calls if said at least one handset is lost or stolen.

6. The ACHS of claim 5 wherein said security message can be unlocked by a personal identification number.

7. The ACHS of claim 6 wherein said security message can only be unlocked by the phone manufacturing or the phone manufacturer authorized representative.

8. The ACHS of claim 7 further comprising means for downloading the information stored on said at least one handset to said computer server.

9. The ACHS of claim 8 wherein said computer server further comprises means for transmitting downloaded information receiving from said at least one handset to another handset in response to a telecommunication request by the user.

10. The ACHS of claim 1 wherein said computer server further comprises means for communicating the use'"'"'s telephone on said at least one handset to a pre-determined list of third parties.

11. The ACHS of claim 10 wherein said computer server further comprises means for accepting refusal for receiving call forwarding calls from the user'"'"'s said at least one handset.