Control of call forwarding by a target telephone

• US 5,553,128 A
• Filed: 12/06/1995
• Issued: 09/03/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Grimes, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wolinsky, Scott
• Application Number:
  US08/567,812
• Time in Patent Office: 272 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201, 379/207, 379/211, 379/212, 379/221, 379/219, 379/220, 379/269, 379/210
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• 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 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54533 Configuration data, translation, passwords, databases

Abstract

A telephone set and method for controlling what calls are forwarded to the telephone set. The telephone set has a terminal processor having an internal memory in which are stored a control program and data. The terminal processor under control of the program controls operation with respect to forwarded calls using the data. In response to the data, the terminal processor can block all forwarded calls from all other telephone sets, from a predetermined list of telephone sets, or from all telephone sets except for a predetermined list of telephone sets. Call forwarding can be blocked from a single forwarding telephone set not known to the user of a telephone set by the user actuating a button during a forwarded call being processed from the forwarding telephone set. In addition, the terminal processor can block all forwarded calls except those from other designated telephone sets.

Claims

1. A method for controlling calls forwarded from a first one of a plurality of communication terminals to a second one of the plurality of communication terminals where forwarded call control is performed by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals and where the plurality of communication terminals and a call coverage system are interconnected by a switching system, the method comprising the steps of:

accepting by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals all calls originated by the first one of the plurality of communication terminals to the second one of the plurality of communication terminals;

accessing by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals a table upon receipt of an indication of a forwarded call to the second one of the plurality of communication terminals for which the tint one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal;

determining by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals from the accessed table if the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting all forwarded calls from all of the plurality of communication terminals;

accepting the forwarded call by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals upon the accessed table indicating that the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting all forwarded calls from all of the plurality of communication terminals;

accessing a first list in the table upon receipt of an indication of the forwarded call by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals for which the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal and the accessed table indicating that the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting forwarded calls from ones of the plurality of communication terminals designated in the first list;

determining from the accessed first list if an identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the first list;

accepting the forwarded call by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals upon the accessed first list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the first list; and

sending the forwarded call to the call coverage system by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals upon the accessed first list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is not present in the first list.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of allowing only a predetermined number of forwarded calls to be accepted within a predetermined period of time.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of removing the identification of the second one of the plurality of communication terminals from the first list upon receiving a command initiated by a user of the second one of the plurality of communication terminals indicating that no more forwarded calls are to be accepted from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals while the forwarded call from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is being processed.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising the step of allowing only a predetermined number of forwarded calls from the first communication terminal to be accepted within a predetermined period of time.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of accessing a second list in the table upon receipt of an indication of the forwarded call by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals for which the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal and the table indicating that the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is sending forwarded calls from ones of the plurality of communication terminals designated in the second list to the call coverage system;

determining from the accessed second list if an identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the second list;

accepting the forwarded call by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals upon the accessed second list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is not present in the second list; and

sending the forwarded call to the call coverage system by the second one of the plurality of communication terminals via the switching system upon the accessed second list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the second list.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of adding the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals to the second list upon receiving a command initiated by a user of the second one of the plurality of communication terminals indicating that forwarded calls are to be accepted from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals while the forwarded call from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is being processed.

7. A method for controlling calls forwarded from a first one of a plurality of communication terminals to a second one of the plurality of communication terminals where forwarded call control is performed by a telecommunication switching system and the telecommunication switching system interconnects the plurality of communication terminals and a call coverage system, comprising the steps of:

terminating all calls via means on the second one of the plurality of communication terminals by the telecommunication switching system that originated to the second one of the plurality of communication terminals by the first one of the plurality of communication terminals;

accessing a table upon receipt of a forwarded call to the second one of the plurality of communication terminals for which the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal;

determining from the accessed table if the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting all forwarded calls from all of the plurality of communication terminals;

terminating the forwarded call via means on the second one of the plurality of communication terminals upon the accessed table indicating that the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting all forwarded calls from all of the plurality of communication terminals;

accessing a first list in the table by the telecommunication switching system upon receipt of the forwarded call to the second one of the plurality of communication terminals for which the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal and the accessed table indicating that the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting forwarded calls from ones of the plurality of communication terminals designated in the first list;

determining from the accessed first list by the telecommunication switching system if an identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the first list;

terminating the forwarded call via means on the second one of the plurality of communication terminals by the telecommunication switching system upon the accessed first list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the first list; and

sending the forwarded call to the call coverage system by the telecommunication switching system upon the accessed first list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is not present in the first list.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of allowing only a predetermined number of forwarded calls to be terminated within a predetermined period of time.

9. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of removing the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals from the first list by the telecommunication switching system upon receiving a command from the second one of the plurality of communication terminals resulting from an action of a user of the second one of the plurality of communication terminals indicating that no more forwarded calls are to be accepted from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals while the forwarded call from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is being processed.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of allowing only a predetermined number of forwarded calls from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals to be terminated within a predetermined period of time.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of accessing a second list in the table by the telecommunication switching system upon receipt of an indication of the forwarded call to the second one of the plurality of communication terminals for which the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal and the table indicating that the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is sending forwarded calls from ones of the plurality of communication terminals designated in the second list to the call coverage system;

determining from the accessed second list by the telecommunication switching system if an identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the second list;

terminating the forwarded call by telecommunication switching system on the second one of the plurality of communication terminals upon the accessed second list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is not present in the second list; and

sending the forwarded call to the call coverage system by the telecommunication switching system upon the accessed second list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the second list.

12. The method of claim 11 further comprising the step of adding the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals to the second list by the telecommunication switching system upon receiving a command from the second one of the plurality of communication terminals resulting from an action of a user of the second one of the plurality of communication terminals indicating that forwarded calls are to be accepted from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals while the forwarded call from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is being processed.

13. One of a plurality of communication terminals controlling calls forwarded to the one of the plurality of communication terminals from another one of the plurality of communication terminals and the plurality of communication terminals and a call coverage system are interconnected by a switching system, the one of the plurality of communications terminals comprising:

means for accepting all calls originated by the other one of the plurality of communication terminals;

means for accessing a table upon receipt of an indication of a forwarded call for which the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal;

means for determining from the accessed table if the one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting all forwarded calls from all of the plurality communication terminals;

means for accepting the forwarded call upon the means for determining from the accessed table indicating that the one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting all forwarded calls from all of the plurality of communication terminals;

means for accessing a first list in the table upon receipt of an indication of the forwarded call for which the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal and the accessed table indicating that the one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting forwarded calls from ones of the plurality of communication terminals designated in the first list;

means for determining from the accessed first list if an identification of the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the first list;

means for accepting the forwarded call upon the accessed first list indicating that the identification of the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the first list; and

means for sending the forwarded call to the call coverage system upon the accessed first list indicating that the identification of the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is not present in the first list.

14. The one of the plurality of communication terminals of claim 13 further comprising means for allowing only a predetermined number of forwarded calls to be accepted within a predetermined period of time.

15. The one of the plurality of communication terminals of claim 13 further comprising means for removing the identification of the other one of the plurality of communication terminals from the first list upon receiving a command initiated by a user of the one of the plurality of communication terminals indicating that no more forwarded calls are to be accepted from the other one of the plurality of communication terminals while the forwarded call from the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is being processed.

16. The one of the plurality of communication terminals of claim 15 further comprising means for allowing only a predetermined number of forwarded calls from the other one of the plurality of communication terminals to be accepted within a predetermined period of time.

17. The one of the plurality of communication terminals of claim 13 further comprising means for accessing a second list in the table upon receipt of an indication of the forwarded call to the one of the plurality of communication terminals for which the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal and the table indicating that the one of the plurality of communication terminals is sending forwarded calls from ones of the plurality of communication terminals designated in the second list to the call coverage system;

means for determining from the accessed second list if an identification of the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the second list;

means for accepting the forwarded call upon the accessed second list indicating that the identification of the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is not present in the second list; and

means for sending the forwarded call to the call coverage system via the switching system upon the accessed second list indicating that the identification of the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the second list.

18. The one of the plurality of communication terminals of claim 17 further comprising means for adding the identification of the other one of the plurality of communication terminals to the second list upon receiving a command initiated by a user of the one of the plurality of communication terminals indicating that forwarded calls are to be accepted from the other one of the plurality of communication terminals while the forwarded call from the other one of the plurality of communication terminals is being processed.

19. A telecommunication switching system for controlling calls forwarded from a first one of a plurality of communication terminals to a second one of the plurality communication terminals and the telecommunication switching system interconnecting the plurality of communication terminals and a call coverage system, the telecommunication switching system comprising:

means for terminating all calls on the second one of the plurality of communication terminals that originated by the first one of the plurality of communication terminals to the second one of the plurality of communication terminals;

means for accessing a table upon receipt of an indication of a forwarded call for which the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal;

means for determining from the accessed table if the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting all forwarded calls from all of the plurality communication terminals;

means for terminating the forwarded call on the second one of the plurality of communication terminals upon the accessed table indicating that the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting all forwarded calls from all of the plurality of communication terminals;

means for accessing a first list in the table upon receipt of an indication of the forwarded call for which the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal and the accessed table indicating that the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is accepting forwarded calls from ones of the plurality of communication terminals designated in the first list;

means for determining from the accessed first list if an identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the first list;

means for terminating the forwarded call on the second one of the plurality of communication terminals upon the first list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the first list; and

means for sending the forwarded call to the call coverage system upon the accessed first list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is not present in the first list.

20. The telecommunication switching system of claim 19 further comprising means for allowing only a predetermined number of forwarded calls to be terminated within a predetermined period of time.

21. The telecommunication switching system of claim 19 further comprising means for removing the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals from the first list upon receiving a command from the second one of the plurality of communication terminals resulting from an action of a user of the second one of the plurality of communication terminals indicating that no more forwarded calls are to be accepted from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals while the forwarded call from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is being processed.

22. The telecommunication switching system of claim 21 further comprising means for allowing only a predetermined number of forwarded calls from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals to be terminated within a predetermined period of time.

23. The telecommunication switching system of claim 19 further comprising means for accessing a second list in the table upon receipt of an indication of the forwarded call to the second one of the plurality of communication terminals for which the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is the destination communication terminal and the table indicating that the second one of the plurality of communication terminals is sending forwarded calls from ones of the plurality of communication terminals designated in the second list to the call coverage system;

means for determining from the accessed second list if an identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the second list;

means for terminating the forwarded call on the second one of the plurality of communication terminals upon the accessed second list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is not present in the second list; and

means for sending the forwarded call to the call coverage system upon the accessed second list indicating that the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is present in the second list.

24. The telecommunication switching system of claim 23 further comprising means for adding the identification of the first one of the plurality of communication terminals to the second list upon receiving a command from the second one of the plurality of communication terminals resulting from an action of a user of the second one of the plurality of communication terminals indicating that forwarded calls are to be accepted from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals while the forwarded call from the first one of the plurality of communication terminals is being processed.