System and method for providing contextual information to a called party
First Claim
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1. A telephone system comprising:
- a first endpoint device operable to populate a subject field with a message entered by a caller, and to send a call to a called party with the message being attached thereto; and
a second endpoint device operable to retrieve the message when the call is received, and to communicate the message to a called party prior to the call being answered.
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Abstract
A telephone system includes a first endpoint device operable to populate a subject field with a message entered by a caller, and to send a call to a called party with the message being attached thereto. A second endpoint device is operable to retrieve the message when the call is received, and to communicate the message to a called party prior to the call being answered. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A telephone system comprising:
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a first endpoint device operable to populate a subject field with a message entered by a caller, and to send a call to a called party with the message being attached thereto; and
a second endpoint device operable to retrieve the message when the call is received, and to communicate the message to a called party prior to the call being answered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A telephone device for sending/receiving a call comprising:
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a microphone;
an alpha-numeric input device; and
a processor that executes code that prompts a user who wishes to place a call to enter a message, the message identifying a subject of the call, the message being attached to the call for subsequent transmission to a called party. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A processor-implemented method of initiating a call from a caller to a called party comprising:
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prompting the caller to input a message that indicates a subject of the call;
receiving the message from the caller;
entering the message into a data packet field associated with the call; and
sending the call and the message to the called party. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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16. A processor-implemented method of receiving a call from a caller to a called party comprising:
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retrieving a message associated with the call, the message indicating a subject of the call;
outputting the message substantially simultaneous with a ring event that notifies the called party of the call, the ring event occurring prior to the call being answered. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of operation for a communication device comprising:
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running an application that displays a list of messages received by a user of the communication device;
selecting a message from the list, the message having an associated subject heading; and
invoking a command that automatically initiates a telephone call to a sender of the message, the associated subject heading being attached to the telephone call for display as a text string and/or audible speech output on a receiving communication device of the sender. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification