Method and Apparatus for Routing Calls Based on the Identification of the Calling Party or Calling Line
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- creating a plurality of routing lists, each an ordered list of numbers for a user;
wherein creating said plurality of distinct routing lists comprises;
receiving a call from a caller;
selecting a routing list from the plurality of routing lists based on the caller; and
directing said call to the numbers on the selected 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
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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creating a plurality of routing lists, each an ordered list of numbers for a user;
wherein creating said plurality of distinct routing lists comprises;
receiving a call from a caller;
selecting a routing list from the plurality of routing lists based on the caller; and
directing said call to the numbers on the selected routing list. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A system comprising:
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a processing unit;
a memory storage device operative to store a plurality of routing lists for a user;
a receiving interface device coupled to said processing unit for receiving calls;
a transmitting interface device coupled to said processing unit for placing calls;
said processing unit being operative to;
receive a call on the receiving interface device from a caller directed to the user;
detect identifying information for the caller;
retrieve a routing list of the plurality of routing lists associated with the caller;
retrieve a default routing list from the memory storage device if the caller is not associated with one of the routing lists; and
direct the call to numbers on the retrieved routing list. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A system, comprising:
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a receiving element configured to receive a first communication directed to a number assigned to the user;
a routing element communicatively coupled to the receiving element, the routing element configured to access communication routing information in response to the first communication, the routing element further configured to select a first destination on a list of hierarchically arranged destinations;
the receiving element further configured to receive communication disposition information from the first destination; and
a routing element 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 (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification