Method and apparatus for providing user controlled call management services
First Claim
1. A method for providing call screening to subscribers of a personal communications service, comprising the steps of:
- defining a respective role for each of a plurality of directory numbers assigned to a subscriber of said personal communications service;
storing a list of said directory numbers and the respective role corresponding to each of said directory numbers in a subscriber database associated with said subscriber;
assigning a network address corresponding to a call alerting device used by said subscriber;
storing said network address in said subscriber database;
accessing said subscriber database when a calling party places a call to one of said directory numbers on said list;
identifying the respective role defined for said one of said directory numbers;
transmitting, via a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a first signal indicating the identified role to said call alerting device via said network address; and
transducing said first signal at said call alerting device and presenting said identified role to said subscriber.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of providing call screening to a subscriber of personal communication services facilitates the screening of incoming calls by associating the number dialed by a calling party with a function or role of the dialed number. This function or role is then sent to the subscriber when an incoming call is received. This way, the subscriber can decide whether to answer the incoming call based upon knowing the role or context associated with the dialed number. The subscriber is also provided with user controlled features which can be invoked by the use of DTMF codes. The subscriber can place a calling party on hold prior to answering the incoming call. In addition, the subscriber can proceed with a call transfer from a wireless telephone to a wired telephone and vice-versa, while the call is still in progress. Another feature allows the subscriber to implement a real-time call screening, while the calling party is leaving a message on voice mail. Yet another feature provides a wide area virtual extension to several subscribers such that an incoming call will be simultaneously routed to each subscriber in the group, as if their telephones were extensions of each other.
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Citations
5 Claims
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1. A method for providing call screening to subscribers of a personal communications service, comprising the steps of:
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defining a respective role for each of a plurality of directory numbers assigned to a subscriber of said personal communications service; storing a list of said directory numbers and the respective role corresponding to each of said directory numbers in a subscriber database associated with said subscriber; assigning a network address corresponding to a call alerting device used by said subscriber; storing said network address in said subscriber database; accessing said subscriber database when a calling party places a call to one of said directory numbers on said list; identifying the respective role defined for said one of said directory numbers; transmitting, via a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a first signal indicating the identified role to said call alerting device via said network address; and transducing said first signal at said call alerting device and presenting said identified role to said subscriber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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Specification