Method and Apparatus for Routing Calls Based on the Identification of the Calling Party or Calling Line
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- maintaining a plurality of routing lists, each comprising an ordered list of directory numbers for a user;
receiving a call from a caller;
selecting a particular routing list from the plurality of routing lists based on identifying information; and
directing the call sequentially to the directory numbers on the particular routing list.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for routing calls for a subscriber based on the identification of the calling party or the originating line. Generally, the present invention operates to identify a calling party or originating line and then select a routing list based on this identification. Once a routing list has been selected, the call will be routed to the destination in the routing list. More specifically, when a call is received, an inquiry is made regarding the identity of the calling party or calling line. If the identification can be determined, then an attempt to retrieve a routing list associated with this identification is made. If a routing list has been provided for the identified party or line, the routing list will be retrieved. If a routing list has not been provided for the identified party or line, a default routing list will be selected for routing the call.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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maintaining a plurality of routing lists, each comprising an ordered list of directory numbers for a user;
receiving a call from a caller;
selecting a particular routing list from the plurality of routing lists based on identifying information; and
directing the call sequentially to the directory numbers on the particular routing list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 4, 5)
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3. The method of claim 3, wherein the identifying criteria is determined to be one from the group comprising the identity of the caller, the type of call, time of day, day of the week, and the calling line identification.
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6. A method comprising:
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maintaining for a user of a private exchange a plurality of routing lists, each of the routing lists being associated with at least one caller and comprising an ordered list of directory numbers where the user can be reached;
receiving a call from a caller;
determining whether the call is external or internal to the private exchange;
selecting a particular routing list from the plurality of routing lists based at least in part upon the determination of whether the call is external or internal to the private exchange; and
directing the call sequentially to the directory numbers on the particular routing list. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer-readable medium on which is stored a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, perform:
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maintaining a plurality of routing lists for a user, each of the routing lists being associated with at least one caller and comprising an ordered list of directory numbers for the user;
selecting a particular routing list from the plurality of routing lists based at least in part upon received identifying information; and
directing a received call sequentially to the directory numbers on the particular routing list.
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12. A system, comprising:
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a receiver configured to receive a first communication directed to a personal number assigned to a user;
a processor communicatively coupled to the receiver, the processor configured to access communication routing information in response to the first communication, the communication routing information including a list of destinations, the list of destinations comprising a plurality of the destinations hierarchically arranged in order of subscriber preference for communication routing, the processor further configured to select the first destination on the list of destinations;
the receiver further configured to receive communication disposition information from the destination; and
the processor further configured to dispose of the first communication in accordance with the communication disposition information by either routing the first communication to the first destination or by selecting the next hierarchically arranged destination on the list of destinations. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification