Methods and systems for line management

• US 20050105510A1
• Filed: 11/24/2003
• Published: 05/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Verizon Data Services LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Zafar, Shadman, Rajagopalan, Mahesh, D'Silva, Alin, Reformato, John R., Reding, Craig L., Raju, Satya, Majid, Ziauddin
• Granted Patent: US 8,472,428 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/28 Services making use of subscriber schedule information
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42263 where the same subscriber uses different terminals, i.e. nomadism
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13196 Connection circuit/link/trunk/junction, bridge, router, gateway
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13345 Intelligent networks, SCP
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13378 Speech recognition, speech analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0037 involving call modelling techniques, e.g. modifications to the basic call state model [BCSM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

Methods and Systems are provided for managing one or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network. A service center may receive from a user line management information regarding one or more of the user'"'"'s communications lines. This line management information may include a request from the user to handle all calls to the communications line in a particular manner (e.g., forward all calls to a different number). This line management information may also include information regarding scheduling the handling of calls to the communications line (e.g., scheduling call forwarding) or a request to handle calls differently based on information identifying the origination of the call (e.g., caller-ID). The service center may then forward instructions to the communications network such that the components (e.g., SSP or SCP) of the communications network implement the user'"'"'s modifications. Additionally, the service center may be provided with information, in real-time, regarding a call to the communications line that may include, for example, the caller-ID for the incoming call. The service center may then determine how the call should be handled and forward instructions to the communications network to handle the call according to the user'"'"'s requests.

Claims

1. A method for managing two more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network, the method comprising:

receiving from the user over a data network line management information regarding two or more communications lines associated with an account for the user;

determining that the received line management information includes a modification to at least one of the communications lines associated with the account; and

transmitting an instruction to a component of the communications network to implement the modification to the at least one communications line.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting an instruction to a component of the communications network, comprises transmitting an instruction to a service control point.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein transmitting an instruction to the service control point comprises transmitting an instruction to a service provisioning and creation environment.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting an instruction to a component of the communications network, comprises transmitting an instruction to a switch.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein modifying the communications line comprises modifying a table in the switch in accordance with the received instructions.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving line management information comprises receiving information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to a different communications line.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving line management information comprises the receiving information regarding handling calls originally directed to one of the communications lines based on the time the call is received.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving line management information comprises receiving information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to one or more processors providing voice mail services.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving line management information comprises receiving information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to one or more processors for playing an audible signal indicative of the communications line being unavailable.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving line management information comprises receiving information regarding three or more communications lines associated with the user.

11. A method for managing one or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network, the method comprising:

receiving from the user over a data network line management information regarding one or more communications lines associated with an account for the user;

receiving from the communications network information regarding a call received on at least one of the communications lines associated with the account;

determining handling of the call based on the received line management information; and

transmitting to the communications network an instruction regarding the handling of the call, such that the communications network handles the call in accordance with the received line management information.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving from the communications network information regarding a call received on the communications line comprises receiving information from a service control point providing services to a switch associated with the communications line.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving from the communications network information regarding a call received on the communications line includes receiving information identifying an origination of the call;

and wherein determining handling of the call based on the received line management information includes determining the handling based on the information identifying the origination of the call.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein necessary line management information comprises receiving information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to a different communications line.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein line management information comprises receiving information regarding handling calls originally directed to one of the communications lines based on the time the call is received.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving line management information comprises receiving information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to one or more processors providing voice mail services.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving line management information comprises receiving information regarding forwarding calls for a particular communications line to a one or more processors for playing an audible signal indicative of a communications line being unavailable.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein receiving line management information comprises receiving information regarding two or more communications lines associated with the user.

19. A system for managing two or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network, comprising:

a first interface for connecting to a data network;

a second interface for connecting to the communications network; and

a set of one or more processors capable of receiving from a user, via the first interface, line management information regarding two or more communications lines associated with an account for the user, determining that the received line management information includes one or more modifications to at least one of the communications lines associated with the user account, and transmitting an instruction, via the second interface, to a component of the communications network to implement the modification to the communications line.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising a recent change engine for receiving the instruction from the set of processors and transmitting the instruction to a service control point.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the service control point includes a service provisioning and creation environment and wherein the recent change engine is capable of transmitting the instruction to the service provisioning and creation environment of the service control point.

22. The system of claim 19, further comprising a recent change engine for receiving the instruction from the set of processors and transmitting the instruction to a switch.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the switch includes a table and wherein the recent change engine is capable of modifying the table.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein line management information from the user set of processors are capable of receiving includes information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to a different communications line.

25. The system of claim 19, wherein line management information from the set of processors are capable of receiving includes information regarding handling calls originally directed to one of the communications lines based on the time the call is received.

26. The system of claim 19, wherein line management information from the user set of processors are capable of receiving includes information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to one or more processors providing voice mail services.

27. The system of claim 19, wherein line management information from the user set of processors are capable of receiving includes information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications line to one or more processors for playing an audible signal indicative of the communications line being unavailable.

28. The system of claim 19, wherein the line management information from the user the set of processors are capable of receiving includes information regarding three or more communications lines associated with the user.

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

a first interface for connecting to a data network;

a second interface for connecting to the communications network; and

a set of one or more processors capable of receiving from the user, via the first interface, line management information regarding one or more communications lines associated with an account for the user, determining that the received line management information includes one or more modifications to at least one of the communications lines associated with the account, receiving from the communications network, via the second interface, information regarding a call received on at least one of the communications lines, determining handling of the call based on the received line management information, and transmitting, via the second interface, to the communications network instructions regarding the handling of the call.

30. The system of claim 29, further comprising a network access server for receiving information from a service control point providing services to a switch associated with the communications line, and transmitting the information to the set of processors.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the set of processors are further capable of receiving from the communications network information identifying an origination of the call, and determining the handling of the call based on the information identifying the origination of the call.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein the line management information from the user the set of processors are capable of receiving includes information regarding forwarding calls originally defined for one of the communications lines to a different communications line.

33. The system of claim 29, wherein the line management information from the user the set of processors are capable of receiving includes information regarding handling calls originally defined for one of the communications line based on the time the call is received.

34. The system of claim 29, wherein the line management information from the user the set of processors are capable of receiving includes information regarding forwarding calls originally defined for one of the communications line to one or more processors providing voice mail services.

35. The system of claim 29, wherein the line management information from the user the set of processors are capable of receiving includes information regarding forwarding calls originally defined for one of the communications line to a one or more processors for playing an audible signal indicative of the communications line being unavailable.

36. The system of claim 29, wherein the line management information from the user the set of processors are capable of receiving includes information regarding two or more communications lines associated with the user.

37. A system for managing two or more communications line associated with a user of a communications network, the method comprising:

means for receiving from the first device line management information regarding two or more communications lines associated with an account for the user;

means for determining whether the received line management information includes a modification to at least one of the communications lines associated with the account; and

means for transmitting an instruction to a component of the communications network to implement the modification to the at least one communications line.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the means for transmitting an instruction to a component of the communications network, comprises means for transmitting an instruction to a service control point.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the means for transmitting an instruction to the service control point comprises means for transmitting an instruction to a service provisioning and creation environment.

40. The system of claim 37, wherein the means for transmitting an instruction to the a component of the communications network, comprises means for transmitting an instruction to a switch.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the means for transmitting an instruction to the switch comprises means for modifying a table in the switch in accordance with the received instructions.

42. The system of claim 37, wherein the means for receiving line management information comprises means for receiving information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to a different communications line.

43. The system of claim 37, wherein the means for receiving line management information comprises means for receiving information regarding handling calls originally directed to one of the communications lines based on the time the call is received.

44. The system of claim 37, wherein the means for receiving line management information comprises means for receiving information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to one or more processors providing voice mail services.

45. The system of claim 37, wherein the means for receiving line management information comprises means for receiving information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to one or more processors for playing an audible signal indicative of the communications line being unavailable.

46. The system of claim 37, wherein the means for receiving line management information comprises means for receiving information regarding three or more communications lines associated with the user.

47. A system for managing one or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network, the method comprising:

means for receiving from the user over a data network line management information regarding one or more communications lines associated with an account for the user;

means for receiving from the communications network information regarding a call received on at least one of the communications lines associated with the account; and

means for determining handling of the call based on the received line management information;

means for transmitting by the one or more processors to the communications network an instruction regarding the handling of the call, such that the communications network handles the call in accordance with the received line management information.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the means for receiving from the communications network information regarding a call received on the communications line comprises means for receiving information from a service control point providing services to a switch associated with the communications line.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein the means for receiving from the communications network information regarding a call received on the communications line includes means for receiving information identifying an origination of the call;

and wherein the means for determining handling of the call based on the received line management information includes means for determining the handling based on the information identifying the origination of the call.

50. The system of claim 47, wherein the means for receiving line management information comprises means for receiving information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to a different communications line.

51. The system of claim 47, wherein the means for receiving line management information comprises means for receiving information regarding handling calls originally directed to one of the communications lines based on the time the call is received.

52. The system of claim 47, wherein the means for receiving line management information comprises means for receiving information regarding forwarding calls originally directed to one of the communications lines to one or more processors providing voice mail services.

53. The system of claim 47, wherein the means for receiving line management information comprises means for receiving information regarding forwarding calls for a particular communications line to a one or more processors for playing an audible signal indicative of a communications line being unavailable.

54. The system of claim 47, wherein the means for receiving line management information comprises means for receiving information regarding two or more communications lines associated with the user.

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

a user device connected to a data network, the user device capable of transmitting information regarding handling of calls directed to a communications line associated with the user;

a storage for storing line management information regarding the communications line; and

a set of processors connected to the data network and the communications network, the set of processors capable of receiving, from the user device, the line management information regarding the communication line, storing the received line management information in the storage, and transmitting an instruction to a component of the communications network to implement the modification to the communication line;

wherein the component of the communications network is selected from the set of a switch for receiving calls directed to the communications line and a service control point associated with the switch.

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

a communications network, including;

a switch for receiving calls directed to a communications line associated with the user, and

a service control point associated with the switch;

a user device connected to a data network, the user device capable of transmitting information regarding handling of calls directed to a communications line associated with the user;

a storage for storing line management information regarding the communications line; and

a set of processors connected to the data network and the communications network, the set of processors capable of receiving, from the user device, the line management information regarding the communication line, storing the received line management information in the storage, receiving from the communications network information regarding a call directed to the communications line;

determining handling of the call based on the stored line management information, and transmitting to the service control point an instruction regarding the determined handling of the call, wherein the service control point directs the switch to handle the call in accordance with the determined handling.

57. A method for managing one more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network, the method comprising:

receiving from the user over a data network line management information regarding one or more communications lines associated with an account for the user;

determining that the received line management information includes a modification to at least one of the communications lines associated with the account; and

transmitting an instruction to a service control point of the communications network to implement the modification to the at least one communications line.

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

a first interface for connecting to a data network;

a second interface for connecting to the communications network; and

a set of one or more processors capable of receiving from a user, via the first interface, line management information regarding one or more communications lines associated with an account for the user, determining that the received line management information includes one or more modifications to at least one of the communications lines associated with the user account, and transmitting an instruction, via the second interface, to a service control point of the communications network to implement the modification to the communications line.

59. A system for managing one or more communications line associated with a user of a communications network, the method comprising:

means for receiving from the first device line management information regarding one or more communications lines associated with an account for the user;

means for determining whether the received line management information includes a modification to at least one of the communications lines associated with the account; and

means for transmitting an instruction to a service control point of the communications network to implement the modification to the at least one communications line.