Enhanced call notification service

• US 20050069097A1
• Filed: 09/29/2004
• Published: 03/31/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Karam, Gerald M., Goguen, Healfdene H., Henderson, Donnie, Hanson, Karrie J., Bond, Gregory W., Zave, Pamela
• Granted Patent: US 7,881,449 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.120
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6045 Identity confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/487 Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53383 Message registering commands or announcements; Greetings

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and a method for providing notification of an incoming call from the calling party to the called party. The method includes receiving a request to connect the call from the calling party to plurality of end devices of the called party. A profile information associated with the called party is retrieved. The profile information includes data on plurality of the end devices provisioned to be alerted upon connection of the incoming call and on instructions for alerting the end devices in a specific sequence. Additionally, the end devices of the incoming call are alerted in accordance with the specific sequence which would be either parallel ringing order or sequential ringing order.

Claims

1. A method for providing notification of at least one incoming call from at least one calling party to at least one called party, the method comprising:

receiving a request to transmit the incoming call from the calling party to a plurality of end devices of the called party;

retrieving profile information associated with the called party, wherein said profile information includes data on the plurality of the end devices provisioned to be alerted upon transmission of the incoming call, and on instructions for alerting the end devices in a specific sequence; and

alerting the said end devices of the incoming call in said specific sequence, wherein said specific sequence includes a parallel ringing order or a sequential ringing order.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

prompting the called party to confirm acceptance of the call upon answering of the call by one of the said end devices.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

transmitting the call from the calling party to said one of the said end devices of the called party upon acceptance of the call.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

ceasing the step of alerting the end devices upon acceptance of the call by said one of the said end devices of the called party.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

continuing the alerting step if the called party failed to confirm acceptance of the call at said one of the said end devices.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the prompting step includes:

playing an announcement to the called party with instructions on confirming the acceptance of the call.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

prompting the calling party to leave a voice mail message if none of the end devices confirm acceptance of the call.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

providing the called party self-provisioning features to access and edit the profile information, retrieve the voice mail messages, return calls to the calling parties, active or de-active the locate me service, call a speed dial number, and combinations thereof.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of the end devices of the called party are assigned with different phone numbers.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of the end devices of the called party are assigned with a same phone number.

11. A method for providing notification of at least one incoming call from at least one calling party to at least one called party, the method comprising:

receiving a request to transmit the incoming call from the calling party to a plurality of end devices of the called party, wherein said plurality of the end devices are assigned with different phone numbers;

retrieving profile information associated with the called party, wherein said profile information includes data on the plurality of the end devices provisioned to be alerted upon transmission of the incoming call and on instructions for alerting the end devices in a parallel ringing order; and

alerting the said end devices of the incoming call in said parallel ringing order.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising:

prompting the called party to confirm acceptance of the call upon answering of the call by one of the said end devices.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

transmitting the call from the calling party to said one of the said end devices of the called party upon acceptance of the call.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

transmitting the call from the calling party to said one of the said end devices which answered first upon answering of the call by multiple of the said end devices.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

ceasing the step of alerting the end devices upon acceptance of the call by said one of the said end devices of the called party.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

continuing the alerting step if the called party failed to confirm acceptance of the call at said one of the said end devices.

17. A method for providing notification of at least one incoming call from at least one calling party to at least one called party, the method comprising:

receiving a request to transmit the incoming call from the calling party to a plurality of end devices of the called party, wherein said plurality of the end devices are assigned with same phone number;

retrieving profile information associated with the called party, wherein said profile information includes data on the plurality of the end devices provisioned to be alerted upon transmission of the incoming call and on instructions for alerting the end devices in a sequential ringing order; and

alerting the said end devices of the incoming call in said sequential ringing order.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

prompting the called party to confirm acceptance of the call within a time frame, wherein said called party is prompted upon answering of the call by one of the said end devices.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

transmitting the call from the calling party to said one of the said end devices of the called party upon acceptance of the call within said time frame.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

ceasing the step of alerting the end devices upon acceptance of the call within said time frame by said one of the said end devices of the called party.

21. The method of claim 18 further comprising:

continuing the alerting step if the called party failed to confirm acceptance of the call within said time frame by said one of the said end devices.

22. A system for providing notification of at least one incoming call from at least one calling party to at least once called party, the system comprising:

an internet protocol network connected to at least one end device of the called party;

at least one gateway for receiving a request to transmit the incoming call from the calling party to a plurality of end devices of the called party; and

at least one platform connected to the gateway for handling said request from the gateway, wherein said handling includes;

retrieving profile information associated with the called party, wherein the profile information includes data on the plurality of the end devices provisioned to be alerted upon transmission of the incoming call, and on instructions for alerting the end devices in a specific sequence; and

alerting the end devices of the incoming call in said specific sequence wherein said sequence includes a parallel ringing order or a sequential ringing order.

23. The system of claim 22 wherein said platform including at least one database for storing the profile information.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein said platform is connected to the internet protocol network for transmitting the call from the calling party to said one of the end devices that confirmed acceptance of the call and prompting the calling party to leave a message if none of the end devices confirm acceptance of the call.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein said platform includes at least one server connected via a high speed local area network using Ethernet switches, routers, a combination thereof to provide access and networking to the internet protocol network.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein said internet protocol network is connected to the called party'"'"'s end device via a broadband access network provided through a cable or digital subscriber line modem.