Method for handling telephone calls directed to telephone numbers of terminated users that have been reassigned to new users
First Claim
1. A telecommunication service provider system for handling telephone calls directed to a telephone number of a terminated user that has been reassigned to a new user, comprising:
- means for activating a notification service;
means in said notification service for receiving telephone calls directed to said telephone number;
means in said notification service for providing a message responsive to received calls directed to said telephone number regarding the reassignment of the telephone number;
means enabling a caller to choose whether to continue said received call;
means in the notification service to store telephone numbers of said received continuing calls in a log; and
means permitting subsequent received calls from telephone numbers listed on the log to bypass the notification message.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A comprehensive method for handling telephone calls directed to a telephone number of a terminated user that has been reassigned to a new user. The present invention provides user with a notification service that intercepts telephone calls to said telephone number and notifies callers that the telephone number has been reassigned to the new user. Callers seeking the new user continue calls to user, which results in user only being alerted by continuing callers and not being bothered by callers seeking the terminated user. The user can customize the notification message to inform callers of the details regarding the telephone number reassignment and to whom the telephone number was reassigned. The user can specify a time period for the notification service to be activated. The notification service stores all continuing calls in a log, and bypasses all subsequent calls from telephone numbers listed in the log. The user can also store telephone numbers in the log to be bypassed, such as telephone numbers from the user'"'"'s address book, once the notification service is activated so that these callers will never be intercepted by the notification service. The user can also delete telephone numbers from the bypass log.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A telecommunication service provider system for handling telephone calls directed to a telephone number of a terminated user that has been reassigned to a new user, comprising:
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means for activating a notification service;
means in said notification service for receiving telephone calls directed to said telephone number;
means in said notification service for providing a message responsive to received calls directed to said telephone number regarding the reassignment of the telephone number;
means enabling a caller to choose whether to continue said received call;
means in the notification service to store telephone numbers of said received continuing calls in a log; and
means permitting subsequent received calls from telephone numbers listed on the log to bypass the notification message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a telecommunication network, a method for handling telephone calls directed to a telephone number of a terminated user that has been reassigned to a new user, comprising:
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activating a notification service;
receiving means in said notification service directing calls to said telephone number;
messaging means in said notification service for providing a message responsive to received calls directed to said telephone number regarding the reassignment of the telephone number;
determining means enabling a caller to choose whether to continue said received call;
storing means in the notification service to store continuing calls in a log; and
permitting subsequent received calls from telephone numbers listed in the log to bypass the notification message. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer program having code recorded on a computer readable medium for handling telephone calls directed to a telephone number of a terminated user that has been reassigned to a new user, comprising:
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means for activating a notification service;
means in said notification service for receiving telephone calls directed to said telephone number;
means in said notification service for providing a message responsive to received calls directed to said telephone number regarding the reassignment of the telephone number;
means enabling a caller to choose whether to continue said received call;
means in the notification service to store telephone numbers of said received continuing calls in a log; and
means permitting subsequent received calls from telephone numbers listed on the log to bypass the notification message. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification