Systems and methods for routing a communications link

• US 20060195585A1
• Filed: 02/25/2005
• Published: 08/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RingCentral Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Siemens Communications Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Samayamantry, Mallikarjuna
• Granted Patent: US 8,762,541 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/227
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2027 Live party detection
• 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

Abstract

Devices, systems and methods that route a communication link to a proper destination are disclosed. The method may include connecting the communication link to a first destination; requesting a response from the first destination; validating the response from the first destination; and disconnecting the communication link to the first destination if the response from the first destination is not valid. The method may also include connecting the communication link to a second destination; requesting a response from the second destination; and disconnecting the communication link to the second destination if the response from the second destination is not valid. The devices, systems and methods may provide hunt group, call center and conference call features as discussed later herein.

Claims

1. A method for routing a communication link to a correct destination, comprising:

connecting the communication link to a first destination;

requesting a response from the first destination;

validating the response from the first destination; and

disconnecting the communication link to the first destination if the response from the first destination is not valid.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the response from the first destination is not valid, the method further comprises:

connecting the communication link to a second destination;

requesting a response from the second destination; and

disconnecting the communication link to the second destination if the response from the second destination is not valid.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is used to provide one or more communication links to members of a telephone conference call.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein if the response from the first destination is not valid the method further comprises:

notifying other conference call members of the unavailability of a conference call member at the first destination.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is used to provide a communication link to an active member.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is used to provide a communication link on a telephone network.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the response is an audio segment.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the response is validated using a voice recognition protocol.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the response is a touch-tone signal.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein requesting a response further comprises transmitting an audio segment requesting the response from the member.

11. A server for connecting a telephone call to a phone number of an individual, comprising:

a module for connecting the telephone call to a first phone number;

a module for requesting a response from the location of the first phone number;

a module for validating the response from the location of the first phone number; and

a module for disconnecting the telephone call to the first phone number if the response from the first phone number is not valid.

12. The server of claim 11, wherein if the response from the first phone number is not valid, the server further comprises:

a module for connecting the communication link to a second phone number;

a module for requesting a response from the second phone number; and

a module for disconnecting the communication link to the second phone number if the response from the second phone number is not valid.

13. The server of claim 11, wherein the server is used to provide one or more communication links to members of a telephone conference call.

14. The server of claim 13, wherein the server further comprises:

a module for notifying other conference call members of the unavailability of a conference call member at the first phone number if the response from the first phone number is not valid.

15. The server of claim 11, wherein the server is used to provide a communication link to an active member.

16. The server of claim 11, wherein the server is used to provide a communication link on a telephone network.

17. The server of claim 11, wherein the response is an audio segment.

18. The server of claim 17, wherein the response is validated using a voice recognition protocol.

19. The server of claim 11, wherein the response is a touch-tone signal.

20. The server of claim 11, wherein the module for requesting a response further comprises a module for transmitting an audio segment requesting the response from the member.

21. A system for connecting a telephone call to a correct phone number, comprising:

means for connecting the telephone call to a first destination;

requesting a response from the first destination;

validating the response from the first destination; and

disconnecting the telephone call to the first destination if the response from the first destination is not valid.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein if the response from the first destination is not valid, the system further comprises:

a means for connecting the communication link to a second destination;

a means for requesting a response from the second destination; and

a means for disconnecting the communication link to the second destination if the response from the second destination is not valid.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein the system is used to provide one or more communication links to members of a telephone conference call.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein if the response from the first destination is not valid the system further comprises a means for notifying other conference call members of the unavailability of a conference call member at the first destination.

25. The system of claim 21, wherein the system is used to provide a communication link to an active member.

26. The system of claim 21, wherein the system is used to provide a communication link on a telephone network.

27. The system of claim 21, wherein the response is an audio segment.

28. The system of claim 27, wherein the response is validated using a voice recognition protocol.

29. The system of claim 21, wherein the response is a touch-tone signal.

30. The system of claim 21, wherein the means for requesting a response further comprises a means for transmitting an audio segment requesting the response from the member.