Method and system for enabling a party to change terminals during a call

• US 5,862,208 A
• Filed: 06/05/1995
• Issued: 01/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Genband US LLC (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Priority Call Management, Inc. (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ory, Andrew D., MeLampy, Patrick J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Wolinsky, Scott
• Application Number:
  US08/462,294
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201, 379/207, 379/215, 379/219, 379/220, 379/229, 379/230, 379/245, 379/246, 379/127, 379/142, 379/60, 379/59, 379/88, 379/213, 379/265, 379/211, 379/154, 379/89, 379/67 , 379/212, 455/414, 455/417, 455/458, 455/459, 455/31.3, 455/224, 455/436
• US Class Current: 379/212.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 hybrid systems
• 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 3/4228 in networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42314 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• 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 3/5125 with remote located operators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5183 Call or contact centers with computer-telephony arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/523 with call distribution or queueing
• 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 7/06 using auxiliary connections for control or supervision , e.g. where the auxiliary connection is a signalling system number 7 link
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1302 Relay switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1304 Coordinate switches, crossbar, 4/2 with relays, coupling field
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13072 Sequence circuits for call signaling, ACD systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1309 Apparatus individually associated with a subscriber line, line circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13093 Personal computer, PC
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13097 Numbering, addressing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 : Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13107 : Control equipment for a part of the connection, distributed control, co-processing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13176 : Common channel signaling, CCS7
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13179 : Fax, still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13199 : Modem, modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1322 : PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13222 : PBX circuits in public exchange, centrex
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13256 : Call screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13282 : Call forward, follow-me, call diversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13299 : Bus
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1334 : Configuration within the switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13343 : Neural networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13374 : Paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13378 : Speech recognition, speech analysis
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13396 : Signaling in general, in-band signalling
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/005 : Personal communication services, e.g. provisions for portability of subscriber numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/62 : for connecting to private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/16 : WPBX [Wireless Private Branch Exchange]

Abstract

A system and method for remote call control, including providing a tandem switch to control independent legs of a telephone conversation. The switch connects an organization'"'"'s telecommunications system (Centrex or PBX), with cellular or wireless telephones. The switch facilitates a call coverage plan for an organization, and provides the ability to selectively seize and dial a plurality of telephone terminals as needed in a manner based at least in part upon instructions received from a remote or wireless terminal.

Claims

1. A method of enabling a party to change telephone terminals during a call, said method comprising the steps of:

initiating a first telephone call from a first party at a first telephone terminal to a second party at a wireless telephone terminal via a first telephone line;

providing a tandem switch and connecting said tandem switch to said first telephone line in response to said first telephone call;

switching said tandem switch to connect said first telephone line to a communication path interconnecting said tandem switch and said wireless terminal, thereby establishing a first telephone connection between said first and second parties at said first and wireless telephone terminals;

initiating a second telephone call from said second party at a second telephone terminal connected to a second telephone line;

connecting said tandem switch to said second telephone line connected to said second telephone terminal in response to said second telephone call;

switching said tandem switch, in response to a signal from either of said wireless and second telephone terminals, to connect said first telephone line to said second telephone line, thereby establishing a second telephone connection between said first and second telephone terminals; and

disconnecting said communication path from said tandem switch.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said wireless telephone terminal is at a location remote from said tandem switch.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said wireless and second telephone terminals are at a location remote from said tandem switch.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said second telephone terminal is at a location remote from said tandem switch.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said wireless and second telephone terminals are at the same location.

6. A method of enabling a party to change telephone terminals during a call, said method comprising the steps of:

initiating a first telephone call from a first telephone terminal to a party at a wireless telephone terminal via a first telephone line;

providing a tandem switch and connecting said tandem switch to said first telephone line in response to said first telephone call;

switching said tandem switch to connect said first telephone line to a communication path interconnecting said tandem switch and said wireless terminal, thereby establishing a first telephone connection between said first and wireless telephone terminals;

disconnecting said tandem switch from said communication path while maintaining said connection between said tandem switch and said first telephone line;

initiating a second telephone call from said party at a second telephone terminal to said first telephone terminal via a second telephone line;

connecting said tandem switch to said second telephone line connected to said second telephone terminal in response to said second telephone call; and

switching said tandem switch, in response to a signal from either of said second and wireless telephone terminals, to connect said first telephone line to said second telephone line, thereby establishing a second telephone connection between said first and second telephone terminals.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said wireless telephone terminal is at a location remote from said tandem switch.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said second and wireless telephone terminals are at a location remote from said tandem switch.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said second telephone terminal is at a location remote from said tandem switch.

10. The method of claim 6 wherein said wireless and second telephone terminals are at the same location.

11. A system for enabling a party to change telephone terminals during a call, said system comprising:

means for initiating a first telephone call from a first party at a first telephone terminal to a second party at a wireless telephone terminal via a first telephone line;

a tandem switch and means for connecting said tandem switch to said first telephone line in response to said first telephone call;

means for switching said tandem switch to connect said first telephone line to a communication path interconnecting said tandem switch and said wireless terminal, thereby establishing a first telephone connection between said first and second parties at said first and wireless telephone terminals;

means for initiating a second telephone call from said second party at a second telephone terminal connected to a second telephone line;

means for connecting said tandem switch to said second telephone line connected to said second telephone terminal in response to said second telephone call;

means for switching said tandem switch, in response to a signal from either of said wireless and second telephone terminals, to connect said first telephone line to said second telephone line, thereby establishing a second telephone connection between said first and second telephone terminals; and

means for disconnecting said communication path from said tandem switch.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein said wireless telephone terminal is at a location remote from said tandem switch.

13. The system of claim 11, wherein said wireless and second telephone terminals are at a location remote from said tandem switch.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein said second telephone terminal is at a location remote from said tandem switch.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein said wireless and second telephone terminals are at the same location.

16. A system for enabling a party to change telephone terminals during a call, said system comprising:

means for initiating a first telephone call from a first telephone terminal to a party at a wireless telephone terminal via a first telephone line;

a tandem switch and means for connecting said tandem switch to said first telephone line in response to said first telephone call;

means for switching said tandem switch to connect said first telephone line to a communication path interconnecting said tandem switch and said wireless terminal, thereby establishing a first telephone connection between said first and wireless telephone terminals;

means for disconnecting said tandem switch from said communication path while maintaining said connection between said tandem switch and said first telephone line;

means for initiating a second telephone call from said party at a second telephone terminal to said first telephone terminal via a second telephone line;

means for connecting said tandem switch to said second telephone line connected to said second telephone terminal in response to said second telephone call; and

means for switching said tandem switch, in response to a signal from either of said second and wireless telephone terminals, to connect said first telephone line to said second telephone line, thereby establishing a second telephone connection between said first and second telephone terminals.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein said wireless telephone terminal is at a location remote from said tandem switch.

18. The system of claim 16 wherein said second and wireless telephone terminals are at a location remote from said tandem switch.

19. The system of claim 16 wherein said second telephone terminal is at a location remote from said tandem switch.

20. The system of claim 16 wherein said wireless and second telephone terminals are at the same location.