Adjunct controller for a telephone system

• US 5,838,779 A
• Filed: 04/27/1995
• Issued: 11/17/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1984
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Aspect Communications Corporation (Alvaria Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Aspect Telecommunications Corporation (Alvaria Incorporated)
• Inventors: Fuller, Robert M., Epler, Frederick A., Manowski, Maxwell E.
• Primary Examiner(s): LOOMIS, PAUL A
• Application Number:
  US08/429,908
• Time in Patent Office: 1,300 Days
• Field of Search: 379/156, 379/127, 379/142, 379/165, 379/202, 379/210, 379/211, 379/212, 379/245, 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/93, 379/94, 379/93.01, 379/93.14, 370/259, 370/271, 455/415, 455/417
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/006 Call diverting means
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27 Devices whereby a plurality of signals may be stored simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/652 Means for playing back the recorded messages by remote control over a telephone line H04M1/658 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/658 Means for redirecting recorded messages to other extensions or equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/665 by checking the validity of a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/022 Paging systems personal calling arrangements or devices G08B3/1008; selective calling networks H04W84/022
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2005 Temporarily overriding a service configuration
• 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 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/005 Interface circuits for subscriber lines current supply H04M19/00 and subgroups; supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements H04M3/22 and subgroups; in key telephone systems H04M9/006
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• 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 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42093 Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• 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 3/428 : Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• 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 3/487 : Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/527 : Centralised call answering arrangements not requiring operator intervention
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 : Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 : Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 : Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message
• 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: H04M 3/56 : Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0457 : Connection protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 : Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13072 : Sequence circuits for call signaling, ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13091 : CLI, identification of calling line
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 : Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 : Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 : Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13102 : Common translator
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13141 : Hunting for free outlet, circuit or channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1315 : Call waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13173 : Busy signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 : Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1318 : Ringing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 : ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13213 : Counting, timing circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 : Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13222 : PBX circuits in public exchange, centrex
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13224 : Off-net subscriber, dial in to/out from network, teleworking
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1324 : Conference call
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1325 : Priority service
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13256 : Call screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1326 : Consultation call, broker's call, call hold, toggling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13271 : Forced release
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13274 : Call rejection, call barring
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13286 : Direct in-dialling in PBX, DDI
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 : Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13305 : Transistors, semiconductors in general
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1332 : Logic circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13322 : Integrated circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13331 : Abbreviated dialling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13374 : Paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13376 : Information service, downloading of information, 0800/0900 services
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 : Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13385 : Off-net subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13513 : UPT - personal as opposed to terminal mobility, inc. number portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13515 : authentication, authorisation - fraud prevention
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13532 : mobile networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13533 : multivendor and hybrid, e.g. public/private, networks, inc. international
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13547 : subscriber, e.g. profile, database, database access
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 : Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54 : in which the logic circuitry controlling the exchange is centralised
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/542 : Logic circuits or arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54525 : Features introduction
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54566 : Intelligent peripherals, adjunct processors
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/54591 : Supervision, e.g. fault localisation, traffic measurements, avoiding errors, failure recovery, monitoring, statistical analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/622 : Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/625 : Arrangements in the private branch exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/627 : Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 : Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 : Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 : User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/12 : Inter-network notification
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/16 : selectively restricting mobility data tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 : Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/022 : One-way selective calling networks, e.g. wide area paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/022 : Selective call receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/185 : Selective call encoders for paging networks, e.g. paging centre devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 : Inter-networking arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/913 : Person locator or person-specific

Abstract

A telephone system for providing enhanced telephone services. The system includes a telephone switch servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers via communication facilities of the switch, which facilities hande both voice and data communications. A telephone switch controller is coupled to the switch for controlling the switch to provide an enhanced service not otherwise available in the switch. The controller communicates with the switch using data in the form of switch functions. The controller includes a memory for storing a sequence of switch functions, swhich sequence defines the enhanced service. The controller communicates a prompt to a caller in response to a telephone call placed by the caller to a predetermined telephone address associated with a subscriber and communicates the sequence of switch functions stored in the memory to the switching system in response to a command received from the caller to provide the enhanced service.

Claims

1. A control system for connection to a telephone network, said network providing information identifying a network address of a calling station and including a switch which is capable of changing communication paths of a plurality of intelligence streams to and from a plurality of communication ports, the control system comprising:

(a) communications means for communicating via said ports to receive intelligence from and to transmit intelligence to said network;

(b) control means for transmitting switching commands to said switch to change at least one of said paths to redirect an established intelligence stream between said network and said system to at least another one of said communication ports; and

(c) processing means for determining changes to one or more of said communication paths and for effecting said changes by sending switch control commands to said switch, for identifying a call to said system by a user, and for utilizing said information as a stored forwarding number, whereby the user can update the forwarding number without manually entering the number of the telephone at the user'"'"'s present location.

2. A control system for connection to a telephone network, said network including at least one switch which is capable of changing communication paths of a plurality of intelligence streams to and from a plurality of communication ports, the control system comprising:

(a) communications means for communicating via said ports to receive intelligence from and to transmit intelligence to said network via one of said communication ports in said at least one switch, said intelligence including voice intelligence;

(b) switch control means for transmitting switching commands to said at least one switch to change at least one of said paths to redirect an established intelligence stream between said network and said system to at least another one of said communication ports; and

(c) processing means for determining changes to one or more of said communication paths in accordance with at least two enabled modes and for effecting said changes by sending switch control commands to said switch, wherein the processing means further comprises means for identifying a call to said system from a specific user requesting a present mode by which the system processes incoming calls directed to said specific user, recalling from a memory the present mode by which the system processes incoming calls directed to said specific user, transmitting courtesy messages which indicate said current mode and inform the user as to how to enter a mode command to change said mode, and responding to said user transmitting a specific mode command to appropriately change the mode by which the system processes subsequent incoming calls directed to said user, and wherein said user mode commands are entered via voice commands from said user.

3. A telephone system for providing enhanced telephone services, said system comprising:

(a) a telephone switch servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers via communication facilities of said switch, said communication facilities handling both voice and data communications;

(b) a telephone switch controller coupled to said switch via said communication facilities, said controller controlling said switch to provide an enhanced service not otherwise available in said switch, said controller communicating with said switch via said communication facilities by means of data in the form of switch functions, said controller including a memory for storing a sequence of switch functions, said sequence defining said enhanced service, said controller communicating a prompt via said communication facilities to a caller in response to a telephone call placed by said caller to a predetermined telephone address associated with a subscriber and communicating said sequence of switch functions stored in said memory to said switching system in response to a command received from said caller to provide said enhanced service, said controller including a screening mode of operation wherein during the telephone call, said controller transmits a transmit identification prompt for the caller to transmit identification information, records the caller'"'"'s response to said transmit identification prompt, instructs said switch to transfer said telephone call to a subscriber-selected one of a plurality of telephone network addresses represented in said memory means, and transmits a stored response of the caller.

4. The telephone system of claim 3, wherein said controller responds to a command response from the user to appropriately process said telephone call.

5. The telephone system of claim 4, wherein said controller monitors said telephone call for a predetermined command and, upon receipt of the predetermined command, terminating, if started, or skipping, if not yet initiated:

(i) transmission of said transmit identification prompt to said caller,

(ii) recordation of the caller'"'"'s response and

(iii) transmission of the stored response to the subscriber,

and immediately instructing said switch to transfer said telephone call to a subscriber-selected one of a plurality of telephone network addresses represented in said memory means.

6. A telephone system for providing telephone services, said system comprising:

(a) a telephone switch servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers via communication facilities of said switch, said communication facilities handling both voice and data communications;

(b) a telephone switch controller coupled to said switch via said communication facilities, said controller communicating with said switch via said communication facilities by means of data in the form of switch functions, said controller including a memory for storing a plurality of sequences of switch functions, said controller communicating a prompt via said communication facilities to a caller in response to a telephone call placed by said caller to a predetermined telephone address associated with a subscriber, and communicating a selected sequence of switch functions stored in said memory to said switching system in response to a command received from said caller, said controller including a timer mode of operation wherein said memory means stores a timer command mode and a corresponding time interval command, said controller changing a presently commanded mode to a different mode for said commanded interval and thereafter reverting to another call processing mode other than said different mode.

7. The telephone system of claim 6, wherein said telephone switch provides telephone network information related to the identity of a caller to said controller, and wherein the controller identifies a call placed by a subscriber and utilizes said telephone network information related to the identity of the caller to update a sequence of switch functions stored in said memory as a forwarding number, whereby the subscriber can update said forwarding number without manually entering the number of the telephone at the subscriber'"'"'s present location.

8. A telephone system for providing telephone services, said system comprising:

(a) a telephone switch servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers via communication facilities of said switch, said communication facilities handling both voice and data communications;

(b) a telephone switch controller coupled to said switch via said communication facilities, said controller communicating with said switch via said communication facilities by means of data in the form of switch functions, said controller including a memory for storing a plurality of sequences of switch functions, said controller communicating a prompt via said communication facilities to a caller in response to a telephone call placed by said caller to a predetermined telephone address associated with a subscriber, and communicating a selected sequence of switch functions stored in said memory to said switching system to route the telephone call to another network address, wherein said telephone switch provides telephone network information related to the identity of a caller to said controller, and wherein the controller identifies a call placed by a subscriber and utilizes said telephone network information related to the identity of the caller to update a sequence of switch functions stored in said memory as a forwarding number, wherein the subscriber can update said forwarding number without manually entering the number of the telephone at the subscriber'"'"'s present location.

9. A telephone system for providing enhanced telephone services, said system comprising:

(a) a telephone switch servicing a plurality of telephone subscribers via communication facilities of said switch, said communication facilities handling both voice and data communications;

(b) a telephone switch controller coupled to said switch via said communication facilities, said controller controlling said switch and only one said switch to provide an enhanced service not otherwise available in said switch, said controller communicating with said switch via said communication facilities by means of data in the form of switch functions, said controller including a memory for storing a sequence of switch functions, said sequence defining said enhanced service, said controller communicating a voice prompt via said communication facilities to a caller in response to a telephone call placed by said caller to a predetermined telephone address associated with a subscriber, and communicating said sequence of switch functions stored in said memory to said switching system in response to a command received from said caller to provide said enhanced service, said telephone switch providing telephone network information related to the identity of a caller to said controller, wherein telephone calls to change a mode of operation of said controller are made by inputting a sequence which includes digits to identify one of a plurality of call processing modes and wherein the controller includes means for identifying a call to said system by said subscriber by matching the telephone network information related to the identity of the caller with a memory stored number for said subscriber and processing said digits as a specific mode command control signal from said subscriber.

10. A control system for connection to a telephone network, said control system comprising:

(a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for processing telephone calls via said facilities;

(b) control means for controllably routing a call placed to one telephone network address to another telephone address of said network;

(c) memory means for storing signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses; and

(d) electronic processing means for processing a telephone call received via said communication means, said processing means including a call processing mode wherein the electronic processing means responds to an incoming call with a prompt indicating to a caller that said incoming call can be connected to any one of a plurality of locations, each location having a telephone network address represented in said memory means and, responsive to the caller transmitting a command identifying one of said locations, causing said control means to transmit a command to said network to connect said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller, said incoming call being thereby connected in said network and externally of said control system with the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller, said processing means including a voice screening mode, the processing means storing as a user call processing mode control signal a voice-screening mode signal and, upon recalling said voice-screening mode signal in processing an incoming call, transmitting a prompt for the caller to transmit identification information, recording a response of the caller to said prompt, implementing a call to the user'"'"'s telephone network address, transmitting the caller'"'"'s response, and responding to a command response from the user to appropriately process said incoming call.

11. A control system for connection to a telephone network, said control system comprising:

(a) communication means for connection to communication facilities of said network for processing telephone calls via said facilities;

(b) control means for controllably routing a call placed to one telephone network address to another telephone address of said network;

(c) memory means for storing signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses; and

(d) electronic processing means for processing a telephone call received via said communication means, said processing means including a call processing mode wherein the electronic processing means responds to an incoming call with a prompt indicating to a caller that said incoming call can be connected to any one of a plurality of locations, each location having a telephone network address represented in said memory means and, responsive to the caller transmitting a command identifying one of said locations, causing said control means to transmit a command to said network to connect said incoming call to the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller, said call being thereby connected in said network and externally of said control system with the telephone network address corresponding to said one of said locations identified by said caller, said telephone network providing telephone network information related to the identity of a caller to said control system, and wherein the processing means further comprises means for identifying a call to said system by a user; and

utilizing the telephone network information related to the identity of the caller as a stored forwarding number, whereby the user can update their stored forwarding number without manually entering a number of the telephone at the user'"'"'s present location.

12. A method of receiving and processing incoming telephone calls to a telephone network, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing in a memory electronic signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses; and

(b) processing an incoming telephone call from a caller, including communicating information to said caller indicating that said incoming call can be routed to any one of at least two telephone network addresses,

(c) sensing transmission by the caller of a command corresponding to a desired telephone network address and, responsive thereto, transmitting a command from a telephone control system to said telephone network to route said incoming call via the network and externally of said telephone control system to the telephone network address corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller, and

(d) storing as a user mode control signal a voice-screening mode signal and, upon recalling said voice-screening mode signal in processing said incoming call, transmitting a prompt to said caller indicating that the caller transmit specific identification information, recording the caller'"'"'s response to said prompt, implementing a call to a telephone network address of a user, transmitting the caller'"'"'s response, and responding to a command response from the user to appropriately dispose of the caller'"'"'s call.

13. A method of receiving and processing incoming telephone calls to a telephone network, said method comprising the steps of:

(a) storing in a memory electronic signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses; and

(b) processing an incoming telephone call from a caller, including communicating information to said caller indicating that said incoming call can be routed to any one of at least two telephone network addresses,

(c) sensing transmission by the caller of a command corresponding to a desired telephone network address and, responsive thereto, transmitting a command from a telephone control system to said telephone network to route said incoming call via the network and externally of said telephone control system to the telephone network address corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller, and

(d) receiving an automatic number identification of a caller (ANI), identifying a call to said system by a user, and utilizing said ANI as a stored forwarding number of the user, whereby the user can update his or her forwarding number without manually entering a number of a telephone at a present location of the user.

14. The method of claim 13, further including the steps of identifying if a user'"'"'s number is busy or not answered and, in such event, disposing of said call in a predetermined manner.