Network based knowledgeable assistant

• US 5,652,789 A
• Filed: 09/30/1994
• Issued: 07/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Orange S.A.
• Original Assignee: Wildfire Communications, Inc. (Orange S.A.)
• Inventors: Miner, Richard A., Lovell, Anthony M., Arnold, Kenneth C. R. C., Shienbrood, Eric R., Hinckley, Kee, Gabryelski, Keith, Warner, William J., d'Arbeloff, Nicholas C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zele, Krista M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US08/316,635
• Time in Patent Office: 1,033 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201, 379/202, 379/203, 379/206, 379/211, 379/212, 379/213, 379/214, 379/67, 379/88, 379/89
• US Class Current: 379/201.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2011 Service processing based on information specified by a party before or during a call, e.g. information, tone or routing selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42204 Arrangements at the exchange for service or number selection by voice at the terminal H04M1/27
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/432 Arrangements for calling a subscriber at a specific time, e.g. morning call service
• 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 3/5108 Secretarial services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/527 Centralised call answering arrangements not requiring operator intervention
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53308 Message originator indirectly connected to the message centre, e.g. after detection of busy or absent state of a called party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53383 Message registering commands or announcements; Greetings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

Abstract

A method implemented by a computer-based electronic assistant to receive and manage incoming calls to a subscriber including the steps of receiving an incoming call to the subscriber from a caller; establishing a first connection between the electronic assistant and the caller; establishing a second connection between the electronic assistant and the subscriber; over the second connection, electronically notifying the subscriber of the incoming call; in response to receiving a call accept command from the subscriber over the second connection, linking the caller and the subscriber so that they may communicate with each other; upon linking the subscriber to the caller, switching the electronic assistant to a background mode in which said electronic assistant continues to monitor the subscriber over the second connection while the subscriber is linked with the caller; and in response to receiving a summoning command, switching the electronic assistant into a foreground mode, wherein the electronic assistant when in its background mode responds to a first set of commands including at least the summoning command and when in its foreground mode responds to a second set of commands where the second set of commands is larger than the first set of commands.

Claims

1. A method implemented by a computer-based electronic assistant to receive and manage incoming calls to a subscriber, said method comprising:

receiving an incoming call to the subscriber from a caller;

in response to receiving the incoming call, establishing a first connection between the electronic assistant and the caller, said electronic assistant being in a foreground mode;

establishing a second connection between the electronic assistant and the subscriber;

over the second connection, electronically notifying the subscriber of the incoming call;

in response to receiving a call accept command from the subscriber over the second connection, linking the caller and the subscriber so that they may communicate with each other;

upon linking the subscriber to the caller, switching the electronic assistant to a background mode in which said electronic assistant continues to monitor the subscriber over the second connection while the subscriber is linked with the caller; and

in response to receiving a summoning command, switching the electronic assistant into said foreground mode,

wherein the electronic assistant when in the background mode responds to a first set of commands including at least the summoning command and when in the foreground mode responds to a second set of commands, said second set of commands being larger in number than said first set of commands.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said second set of commands includes a command that causes the electronic assistant to terminate the first connection which command is unavailable in the first set of commands.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said second set of commands includes a command that causes the electronic assistant to establish a connection between the subscriber and another party which command is unavailable in the first set of commands.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said second set of commands includes a command that causes the electronic assistant to send a message to another party which command is unavailable in the first set of commands.