Methods, systems, and products for managing communications
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of managing a communication, comprising:
- receiving a communication from a calling number;
communicating the calling number to a called number;
querying for a reception status that determines whether to route the communication to the called number;
receiving the reception status;
if the reception status is restricted, then prompting the calling number for a forwarding number, receiving the forwarding number, and routing the communication to the forwarding number;
if the call reception status is not restricted, then querying to determine whether the called number is encumbered;
if the called number is encumbered, then querying for an encumberment feature that describes calling numbers, dates, and times for which communications are permissibly routed to the called number;
if the calling number is encumbered and permitted, then routing the communication to the called number;
if the calling number is encumbered and not permitted, then waiting for an assent from the called number;
if an assent is received, then routing the communication to the called number; and
if an assent is not received, then routing the communication to the forwarding number.
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Abstract
A communications network-based system and service is disclosed. The service permits subscribers to control and manage incoming telephone calls. Subscribers can establish preferences for how calls will be handled by a communications network if the calls are received by while the subscriber in connected to an information network. The service also notifies a subscriber of a calling party'"'"'s call based on whether preselected or predesignated preferences of the called party correspond to identifier(s) of the calling party.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of managing a communication, comprising:
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receiving a communication from a calling number; communicating the calling number to a called number; querying for a reception status that determines whether to route the communication to the called number; receiving the reception status; if the reception status is restricted, then prompting the calling number for a forwarding number, receiving the forwarding number, and routing the communication to the forwarding number; if the call reception status is not restricted, then querying to determine whether the called number is encumbered; if the called number is encumbered, then querying for an encumberment feature that describes calling numbers, dates, and times for which communications are permissibly routed to the called number; if the calling number is encumbered and permitted, then routing the communication to the called number; if the calling number is encumbered and not permitted, then waiting for an assent from the called number; if an assent is received, then routing the communication to the called number; and if an assent is not received, then routing the communication to the forwarding number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for managing a communication, comprising:
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means for receiving a communication from a calling number; means for communicating the calling number to a called number; means for querying for a reception status that determines whether to route the communication to the called number; means for receiving the reception status; if the reception status is restricted, then means for prompting the calling number for a forwarding number, receiving the forwarding number, and routing the communication to the forwarding number; if the call reception status is not restricted, then means for querying to determine whether the called number is encumbered; if the called number is encumbered, then means for querying for an encumberment feature that describes calling numbers, dates, and times for which communications are permissibly routed to the called number; if the calling number is encumbered and permitted, then means for routing the communication to the called number; if the calling number is encumbered and not permitted, then means for waiting for an assent from the called number; if an assent is received, then means for routing the communication to the called number; and if an assent is not received, then means for routing the communication to the forwarding number.
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20. A method of managing a call, comprising:
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receiving a call from a calling number; communicating the calling number to a called number; querying for a reception status that determines whether to route the call to the called number; receiving the reception status; if the reception status is restricted, then prompting the calling number for a forwarding number, receiving the forwarding number, and routing the call to the forwarding number; when calling number fails to provide the forwarding number, and after the calling number has been communicated to the called number, then prompting the called number for another forwarding number, and forwarding the communication to the another forwarding number; if the call reception status is not restricted, then querying to determine whether the called number is encumbered; if the called number is encumbered, then querying for an encumberment feature that describes calling numbers, dates, and times for which calls are permissibly routed to the called number; if the calling number is encumbered and permitted, then routing the call to the called number; if the calling number is encumbered and not permitted, then waiting for an assent from the called number; if an assent is received, then routing the call to the called number; and if an assent is not received, then routing the call to the forwarding number.
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Specification