Method and apparatus for managing telephone calls
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for processing calls, comprising:
- a database including configuration information and authentication information for users;
an inbound communications controller, coupled to an inbound gateway and the database, that exchanges first control signals over a session initiation protocol (SIP) with the inbound gateway based on inbound communications and that generates second SIP control signals based on information in the first control signals and the configuration and authentication information;
a voicemail database that stores and retrieves communications;
a routing controller that prompts callers for information and instructions;
an outbound communications controller coupled to an outbound gateway that exchanges fourth control signals with the outbound gateway and communicates via a real time protocol with the outbound gateway in order to send the inbound communications outbound over at least one communications network; and
a switch coupled to the inbound controller, the inbound and outbound communications gateways, the voicemail database and the routing controller, that receives the inbound communications over a real time protocol from the inbound gateway, exchanges the second control signals with the inbound controller, and routes inbound communications based on the second control signals and the routing controller to at least one of the following destinations;
the voicemail database; and
at least one communications network by sending outbound communications based on the inbound communications to the outbound controller via a real time protocol and exchanging third control signals with the outbound controller, including routing information relating to the outbound communications.
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Abstract
A system and method for managing telephone calls is disclosed. The system includes a central controller that receives and processes telephone calls. The identity of a caller is first determined. Based on predetermined settings designated by an end user, a call is directed to one or more telephones of the end user. Preferably, the end user'"'"'s telephones ring simultaneously. The user may answer any of his/her telephones and choose from among several options of how to handle the call. If the user chooses to answer the call, the call may be transferred to that telephone and the conversation may commence.
30 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A system for processing calls, comprising:
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a database including configuration information and authentication information for users; an inbound communications controller, coupled to an inbound gateway and the database, that exchanges first control signals over a session initiation protocol (SIP) with the inbound gateway based on inbound communications and that generates second SIP control signals based on information in the first control signals and the configuration and authentication information; a voicemail database that stores and retrieves communications; a routing controller that prompts callers for information and instructions; an outbound communications controller coupled to an outbound gateway that exchanges fourth control signals with the outbound gateway and communicates via a real time protocol with the outbound gateway in order to send the inbound communications outbound over at least one communications network; and a switch coupled to the inbound controller, the inbound and outbound communications gateways, the voicemail database and the routing controller, that receives the inbound communications over a real time protocol from the inbound gateway, exchanges the second control signals with the inbound controller, and routes inbound communications based on the second control signals and the routing controller to at least one of the following destinations; the voicemail database; and at least one communications network by sending outbound communications based on the inbound communications to the outbound controller via a real time protocol and exchanging third control signals with the outbound controller, including routing information relating to the outbound communications. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method for processing calls, comprising:
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operatively connecting a switch to an inbound controller, an inbound gateway, an outbound controller, and an outbound gateway; exchanging first control signals over a session initiation protocol (SIP) between the inbound gateway and the inbound controller based on inbound communications to generate second SIP control signals based on information in the first control signals and configuration and authentication information; receiving inbound communication at the switch over a real time protocol from the inbound gateway, and exchanging the second control signals with the inbound controller; exchanging fourth control signals between the outbound controller and the outbound gateway via a real time protocol in order to send the inbound communications outbound over at least one communications network; and routing inbound communications based on the second control signals and the routing controller to at least one of a voicemail database or at least one communications network by sending outbound communications based on the inbound communications to the outbound controller via a real time protocol and exchanging third control signals with the outbound controller, including routing information relating to the outbound communications.
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6. A method for processing calls, comprising:
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receiving a call from a caller at an origination point on a first network; exchanging communications signals between the first network and a second network using a session initiation protocol, and processing the communications signals at the second network using configuration and authentication information; determining at least one destination point from a group of destination points based on the processing; directing the communications signals to the at the at least one destination point and, prior to connecting the caller and the user, notifying a user of the call from the origination point. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A method for processing calls, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a call from a caller at an origination point on a first network; exchanging communications signals between the first network and a second network using a session initiation protocol, and processing the communications signals at the second network using configuration and authentication information; determining two or more destination points from a group of destination points based on the processing; sending a signal to each of the two or more destination points substantially simultaneously; establishing a communication with one selected destination point based on a user input; presenting a user at the one selected destination point with identifying information about the caller and a plurality of options for handling the call; and if the user chooses to accept the call, allowing the user transfer the call by providing an input that re-initiates the sending step. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A computer program product for use in a call processing system, comprising:
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a computer readable medium; computer program instructions, recorded on the computer readable medium, executable by a processor, for implementing a call processing system comprising the steps of; receiving a call from a caller at an origination point on a first network; exchanging communications signals between the first network and a second network using a session initiation protocol, and processing the communications signals at the second network using configuration and authentication information; determining two or more destination points from a group of destination points based on the processing; sending a signal to each of the two or more destination points substantially simultaneously; establishing a communication with one selected destination point based on a user input; presenting a user at the one selected destination point with identifying information about the caller and a plurality of options for handling the call; and if the user chooses to accept the call, allowing the user transfer the call by providing an input that re-initiates the sending step.
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Specification