Method and system for processing incoming calls during calls-in-progress

• US 5,999,613 A
• Filed: 09/25/1997
• Issued: 12/07/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MediaOne Group Inc. (Comcast Corporation), U S West Inc.
• Inventors: Nabkel, Jafar S., Marx, Adam N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan S.
• Application Number:
  US08/937,576
• Time in Patent Office: 803 Days
• Field of Search: 379/215, 379/67.1, 379/88.23, 379/88.24, 379/88.25, 379/88.26, 379/142
• US Class Current: 379/215.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/665 by checking the validity of a code
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/06 Lines and connections with preferential service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/20 with means for interrupting existing connections; with means for breaking-in on conversations
• 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

Abstract

A method and system for processing an incoming call during a call-in-progress utilizes a communication station for detecting the incoming call from a new caller to a subscriber telephony device. The communication station determines whether the subscriber telephony device is busy on a call with a first telephony device. An adjunct processor then determines interruption information about the first telephony device which identifies whether or not the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted. The adjunct processor then generates a corresponding signal for receipt by the communication station based on whether or not the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted by the new caller.

Claims

1. A method for processing an incoming call during a call-in-progress, the method comprising:

detecting the incoming call from a new caller to a subscriber telephony device;

determining whether the subscriber telephony device is busy on a call with a first telephony device having an identification number;

determining the identification number of the first telephony device when the subscriber telephony device is busy, for identifying whether or not the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted;

generating one of a first and second interruption signal based on the identification number on the first telephony device.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining the identification number includes determining an identity of the first telephony device.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein determining the identity includes determining a telephone number of the first telephony device.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 wherein determining the telephone number includes determining an automatic number identifier (ANI).

5. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein determining the identity includes determining an Internet address or call identifier.

6. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein generating the first and second interruption signals includes determining the identity of the new caller.

7. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein determining the identity of the new caller includes determining a telephone number of the new caller.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein determining the telephone number includes determining an automatic number identifier (ANI).

9. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein determining the telephone number includes prompting the new caller to enter a calling identification number.

10. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein determining the identity includes determining an Internet address or call identifier.

11. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein generating includes generating the first interruption signal for receipt by the new caller if the call-in-progress with the first telephony device cannot be interrupted based on the identity of the new caller.

12. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein generating the first interruption signal includes generating a busy signal.

13. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein generating the first interruption signal includes generating a voice announcement.

14. The method as recited in claim 11 wherein generating the first interruption signal includes generating a visual indicator signal.

15. The method as recited in claim 6 wherein generating includes generating the second interruption signal for receipt by the new caller if the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted.

16. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein generating the second interruption signal includes generating a ringing signal.

17. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein generating the second interruption signal includes generating a second visual indicator signal.

18. The method as recited in claim 15 wherein generating the second interruption signal includes generating a second voice announcement prompting the new caller to indicate importance of the incoming call.

19. The method as recited in claim 15 further comprising generating a third interruption signal for receipt by the subscriber telephony device.

20. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the third interruption signal is a call waiting signal.

21. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the third interruption signal is a third voice announcement.

22. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the third interruption signal is a third visual indicator signal.

23. A system for processing an incoming call during a call-in-progress, the system comprising:

a communication station for detecting the incoming call from a new caller to a subscriber telephony device and determining whether the subscriber telephony device is busy on a call with a first telephony device having an identification number;

an adjunct processor for determining the identification number of the first telephony device when the subscriber telephony device is busy, the identification number for identifying whether or not the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted, and for generating a corresponding processing signal; and

the communication station for generating one of a first and second interruption signal based on the processing signal.

24. The system as recited in claim 23 wherein the adjunct processor, in determining the identification number, is further operative to instruct the communication station to determine an identity of the first telephony device.

25. The system as recited in claim 24 wherein the communication station, in determining the identity, is further operative to determine a telephone number of the first telephony device.

26. The system as recited in claim 25 wherein the communication station, in determining the telephone number, is further operative to determine an automatic number identifier (ANI).

27. The system as recited in claim 24 wherein the communication station, in determining the identity, is further operative to determine an Internet address or call identifier.

28. The system as recited in claim 23 wherein the adjunct processor, in generating the processing signal, is further operative to instruct the communication station to determine the identity of the new caller.

29. The system as recited in claim 28 wherein the communication station, in determining the identity of the new caller, is further operative to determine a telephone number of the new caller.

30. The system as recited in claim 29 wherein the communication station, in determining the telephone number, is further operative to determine an automatic number identifier (ANI).

31. The system as recited in claim 29 wherein the adjunct processor, in determining the telephone number, is further operative to prompt the new caller to enter a calling identification number.

32. The system as recited in claim 28 wherein the communication station, in determining the identity, is further operative to determine an Internet address or call identifier.

33. The system as recited in claim 28 wherein the communication station, in generating one of the first and second interruption signals, is further operative to generate the first interruption signal for receipt by the new caller if the call-in-progress with the first telephony device cannot be interrupted based on the identity of the new caller.

34. The system as recited in claim 33 wherein the first interruption signal is a busy signal.

35. The system as recited in claim 33 wherein the first interruption signal is a voice announcement.

36. The system as recited in claim 33 wherein the first interruption signal is a visual indicator signal.

37. The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the communication station, in generating one of the first and second interruption signals, is further operative to generate the second interruption signal for receipt by the new caller if the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted.

38. The system as recited in claim 37 wherein the second interruption signal is a ringing signal.

39. The system as recited in claim 37 wherein the second interruption signal is a second visual indicator signal.

40. The system as recited in claim 37 wherein the second interruption signal is a second voice announcement.

41. The system as recited in claim 37 wherein the communication station, in generating the second interruption signal, is further operative to generate a third signal for receipt by the subscriber telephony device.

42. The system as recited in claim 41 wherein the third interruption signal is a call waiting signal.

43. The system as recited in claim 42 wherein the third interruption signal is a third voice announcement.

44. The system as recited in claim 42 wherein the third interruption signal is a third visual indicator signal.