CUSTOMER PREMISES CALL HANDLING

• US 20090190742A1
• Filed: 01/25/2008
• Published: 07/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Original Assignee: BCE Incorporated
• Inventors: MacPhie, David Robert, Short, Jason Edward, Sheppard, Nasahn Adam, Georgiev, Stephan, Freeman, Karen
• Granted Patent: US 8,634,331 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/265.09
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/52 Telephonic communication in combination with fax communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/02 Calling substations, e.g. by ringing selective calling H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42187 Lines and connections with preferential service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4288 Notifying a called subscriber of an incoming call during an ongoing call, e.g. Call Waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems

Abstract

A computer readable storage medium holding a program element for execution by a processor for processing voice calls. The program element comprises an input interface to receive at a customer premises a signal carrying a call request indicative of an incoming voice call, wherein the call request includes a call destination identifier. Also present, a processing element at a customer premises coupled to the input interface. The processing element processes the call destination data to distinguish the call destination identifier from other call destination identifiers that the signal can carry. The processing element also processes the call request to select a handset to which the incoming call is to be linked on the basis of the call destination identifier and links the voice call to the handset. Also provided are a telephone system and method and a telephone system and method involving forwarding calls to voice mail services.

Claims

1. ) A computer readable storage medium holding a program element for execution by a processor to implement a system for processing voice calls directed to a connection leading to a customer premises, the program element comprising:

a) an input interface to receive at a customer premises a signal over the connection carrying a call request indicative of an incoming voice call, wherein the call request includes call destination data conveying a call destination identifier;

b) a processing element at a customer premises coupled to the input interface for;

i) processing the call destination data to distinguish the call destination identifier currently conveyed in the signal from other call destination identifiers that the signal can carry over the connection;

ii) processing the call request to select a handset among a set of handsets to which the incoming call is to be directed on the basis of the distinguished call destination identifier;

iii) directing the voice call to the selected handset.

2. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the connection is a packet based connection for carrying packet based call requests indicative of incoming packet based voice calls.

3. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein:

a) the voice call is conveyed over the connection according to a first signal format;

b) the voice call is conveyed to the selected handset according to a second signal format distinct from the first format;

c) the program element is operative for performing translation of the voice call from the first format to the second format.

4. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein at least one handset in the set of handsets is a cordless handset.

5. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the processing element is operative for distinguishing an intended recipient of the voice call from among a plurality of recipients susceptible to receiving a voice call over the connection at least in part based on the call destination data.

6. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the directing includes directing the selected handset to generate an incoming call alert to notify a user of the incoming voice call.

7. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 6, wherein the incoming call alert includes an audible component.

8. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 7, wherein the incoming call alert includes a ring sound.

9. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 6, wherein the incoming call alert includes a visual component.

10. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 9, wherein the visual component includes text based information.

11. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 6, wherein the incoming call alert provides a distinctive prompt allowing a user to differentiate the selected handset from other handsets in the set of handsets.

12. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 11, wherein the incoming call alert includes a ring sound generated at the selected handset.

13. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 12, wherein the incoming call alert includes a ring sound generated at the selected handset while the remaining handsets in the set of handsets are precluded from ringing.

14. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 12, wherein the incoming call alert includes a first ring sound generated at the selected handset and a second ring sound that is audibly distinct from the first ring sound generated at one or more of the remaining handsets from the set of handsets.

15. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein if the selected handset does not answer the incoming voice call within a predetermined time, the processing including identifying a handset among the set of handsets other than the selected handset to which the incoming voice call is to be directed.

16. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 2, wherein the incoming packet based voice call is a VoIP call.

17. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the call destination identifier includes a telephone number.

18. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the call destination identifier includes an e-mail address.

19. ) A computer readable storage medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the call destination identifier includes an IP address.

20. ) A method for processing voice calls directed to a connection leading to a customer premises, the method comprising:

a) receiving at a customer premises a signal over the connection carrying a call request indicative of an incoming voice call, wherein the call request includes call destination data conveying a call destination identifier;

b) processing the call request at customer premises to;

i) distinguish the call destination identifier currently conveyed in the signal from other call destination identifiers that the signal can carry over the connection;

ii) select a handset among a set of handsets to which the incoming call is to be directed on the basis of the distinguished call destination identifier;

iii) directing the voice call to selected handset.

21. ) A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the connection is a packet based connection for carrying packet based call requests indicative of incoming packet based voice calls.

22. ) A method as defined in claim 20, further comprising the step of distinguishing an intended recipient of the voice call from among a plurality of recipients susceptible to receive a voice call over the connection at least in part based on information contained in the call destination data.

23. ) A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the directing includes directing the selected handset to generate an incoming call alert to notify a user of the incoming voice call.

24. ) A method as defined in claim 23, wherein the incoming call alert includes an audible component.

25. ) A method as defined in claim 24, wherein the incoming call alert includes a ring sound.

26. ) A method as defined in claim 23 wherein the incoming call alert includes a visual component.

27. ) A method as defined in claim 26, wherein the visual component includes text based information.

28. ) A method as defined in claim 23, wherein the incoming call alert provides a distinctive prompt allowing a user to differentiate the selected handset from other handsets in the set of handsets.

29. ) A method as defined in claim 28, wherein the incoming call alert includes a ring sound generated at the selected handset.

30. ) A method as defined in claim 29, wherein the incoming call alert includes a ring sound generated at the selected handset while the remaining handsets in the set of handsets are precluded from ringing.

31. ) A method as defined in claim 30, wherein the incoming call alert includes a first ring sound at the selected handset and a second ring sound that is audibly distinct from the first ring sound generated at one or more of the remaining handsets from the set of handsets.

32. ) A method as defined in claim 20, wherein if the selected handset does not answer the incoming voice call within a predetermined time, the processing including choosing a handset among the set of handsets other than the selected handset to which the incoming voice call is to be directed.

33. ) A method as defined in claim 21, wherein the incoming packet based voice call is a VoIP call.

34. ) A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the call destination identifier includes a telephone number.

35. ) A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the call destination identifier includes an e-mail address.

36. ) A method as defined in claim 20, wherein the call destination identifier includes an IP address.

37. ) A method for processing voice calls directed to a connection leading to a customer premises, the method comprising:

a) receiving at the customer premises a signal over the connection carrying a call request indicative of an incoming voice call, wherein the call request includes call destination data conveying a call destination identifier;

b) processing the call destination data to distinguish the call destination identifier currently conveyed in the signal from other call destination identifiers that the signal can carry over the connection;

c) processing the call request at the customer premises to select a voice mail service among a set of voice mail services to which the incoming call is to be forwarded on the basis of the distinguished call destination identifier;

d) causing the voice call to be forwarded to the selected voice mail service.

38. ) A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the connection is a packet based connection for carrying packet based call requests indicative of incoming packet based voice calls.

39. ) A method as defined in claim 37, further comprising the step of distinguishing an intended recipient of the voice call from among a plurality of recipients susceptible to receive a voice call over the connection at least in part based on information contained in the call destination data.

40. ) A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the voice mail services are associated with respective voice mail boxes, causing the voice call to be forwarded including directing the incoming call to a voice mail box associated with the selected voice mail service.

41. ) A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the voice mail services are associated with respective voice mail prompts inviting an originator of a voice call to leave a voice mail message, causing the voice call to be forwarded including playing to the originator of the incoming voice call a voice mail prompt associated with the voice mail service selected among the set of voice mail services.

42. ) A method as defined in claim 38, wherein the incoming packet based voice call is a VoIP call.

43. ) A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the call destination identifier includes a telephone number.

44. ) A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the call destination identifier includes an e-mail address.

45. ) A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the call destination identifier includes an IP address.

46. ) A telephone system, comprising:

a) a set of handsets at a customer premises;

b) a base station at a customer premises having;

i) an input for connection to a connection leading to a customer premises, wherein the connection is capable of carrying voice calls;

ii) an input interface to receive a signal over the connection carrying a call request indicative of an incoming voice call, wherein the call request includes call destination data conveying a call destination identifier;

c) a processing element at a customer premises coupled to the input interface for;

i) processing the call destination data to distinguish the call destination identifier currently conveyed in the signal from other call destination identifiers that the signal can carry over the connection;

ii) processing the call request to select a handset among the set of handsets to which the incoming call is to be directed on the basis of the distinguished call destination identifier;

iii) directing the selected handset to the incoming call.

47. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 46, wherein the connection is a packet based connection for carrying packet based call requests indicative of incoming packet based voice calls.

48. ) A telephony system as defined in claim 46, wherein:

a) the voice call is conveyed over the connection according to a first signal format;

b) the voice call is conveyed to the selected handset according to a second signal format distinct from the first signal format;

c) the program element is operative for performing translation of the voice call from the first format to the second format.

49. ) A telephony system as defined in claim 46, wherein at least one handset in the set of handsets is a cordless handset.

50. ) A telephony system as defined in claim 46, wherein the processing element is operative for distinguishing an intended recipient of the voice call from among a plurality of recipients susceptible to receiving a voice call over the connection at least in part based on information contained in the call destination data.

51. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 46, wherein the processing element is located in the base station.

52. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 46, wherein the directing includes directing the selected handset to generate an incoming call alert to notify a user of the incoming voice call.

53. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 52, wherein the incoming call alert includes an audible component.

54. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 53, wherein the incoming call alert includes a ring sound.

55. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 52, wherein the incoming call alert includes a visual component.

56. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 55, wherein the visual component includes text based information.

57. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 46, wherein the incoming call alert provides a distinctive prompt allowing a user to differentiate the selected handset from other handsets in the set of handsets.

58. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 57, wherein the incoming call alert includes a ring sound generated at the selected handset.

59. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 58, wherein the incoming call alert includes a ring sound generated at the selected handset while the remaining handsets in the set of handsets are precluded from ringing.

60. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 58, wherein the incoming call alert includes a first ring sound generated at the selected handset and a second ring sound that is audibly distinct from the first ring sound generated at one or more of the remaining handsets from the set of handsets.

61. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 52, wherein if the selected handset does not answer the incoming voice call within a predetermined time, the processing including choosing a handset among the set of handsets other than the selected handset to be directed with the incoming voice call.

62. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 47, wherein the incoming packet based voice call is a VoIP call.

63. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 46, wherein the call destination identifier includes a telephone number.

64. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 46, wherein the call destination identifier includes an e-mail address.

65. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 46, wherein the call destination identifier includes an IP address.

66. ) A telephone system, comprising:

a) a set of handsets at a customer premises;

b) a base station at a customer premises having;

i) an input for connection to a connection leading to a customer premises, wherein the connection is capable of carrying voice calls;

ii) an input interface to receive a signal over the connection carrying a call request indicative of an incoming voice call, wherein the call request includes call destination data conveying a call destination identifier;

c) a set of voice mail services;

d) a processing element at a customer premises coupled to the input interface for;

i) processing the call destination data to distinguish the call destination identifier from other call destination identifiers that the signal can carry over the connection;

ii) processing the call request to select a voice mail service among the set of voice mail services at which the incoming call is to be forwarded on the basis of the distinguished call destination identifier;

iii) forwarding the incoming voice call to the selected voice mail service.

67. ) A telephony system as defined in claim 66, wherein the connection is a packet based connection for carrying packet based call requests indicative of incoming packet based voice calls.

68. ) A telephony system as defined in claim 66, wherein:

a) the voice call is conveyed over the connection according to a first signal format;

b) the voice call is conveyed to the selected voice mail service according to a second signal format;

c) the processing element further for performing translation of the voice call from the first format to the second format.

69. ) A telephony system as defined in claim 66, wherein the processing element is operative for distinguishing an intended recipient of the voice call from among a plurality of recipients susceptible to receiving a voice call over the connection at least in part based on information contained in the call destination data.

70. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 66, wherein the processing element is located in the base station.

71. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 66, wherein the voice mail services are located in the base station.

72. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 67, wherein the incoming packet based voice call is a VoIP call.

73. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 66, wherein the call destination identifier includes a telephone number.

74. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 66, wherein the call destination identifier includes an e-mail address.

75. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 66, wherein the call destination identifier includes an IP address.

76. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 66, wherein the voice mail services are associated with respective voice mail boxes, the forwarding including directing the incoming call to a voice mail box associated with the selected voice mail service

77. ) A telephone system as defined in claim 66, wherein the voice mail services are associated with respective voice mail prompts inviting an originator of a voice call to leave a voice mail message, the forwarding including playing to the originator of the incoming voice call a voice mail prompt associated with the voice mail service selected among the set of voice mail services.