System for interactive control of a computer and telephone

• US 6,018,571 A
• Filed: 09/30/1997
• Issued: 01/25/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Chehowski, Paul, Couse, Peter, Langlois, Michael, Loen, Richard, Smith, Duncan, Lahrkamp, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): APPIAH, CHARLES NANA
• Application Number:
  US08/940,246
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 379/396, 379/90.01, 379/387, 379/93.05, 379/93.06, 379/93.23, 379/110.01, 379/201, 379/202, 379/96, 379/93.17, 455/557, 455/418, 455/419, 455/420, 455/566
• US Class Current: 379/201.04
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2472 with programmable function keys
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2473 Telephone terminals interfacing a personal computer, e.g. using an API (Application Programming Interface) details of API H04M7/0021
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set

Abstract

An interactive system include a software application and a telephone which function cooperatively to implement a multiplicity of user-invoked features. The telephone set is connected to a computer on which a telephony application program interface application is executed. The telephone set includes a plurality of user-definable function keys in addition to the standard keypad, handset, speaker phone and other standard components. The user-definable function keys are programmable via the computer to implement telephony features or to launch applications on the computer.

Claims

1. A computer-based telephony system, comprising:

a telephone set which implements telephony functions on a telephone line, said telephone set including a serial interface for bi-directional communication of data signals including data signals generated in response to user input to said telephone set; and

a computer executable software application running on a computer connected to said telephone set via said interface for receiving first ones of said data signals from said telephone set generated in response to user input to said telephone set and in response implementing predetermined software functions on said computer, for transmitting further data signals from said computer to said telephone set in response to a user input to said computer whereupon said telephone set implements predetermined ones of said telephony functions, and for generating and displaying on said computer a window including an area for indicating telephone call status responsive to one of either said user input or receipt of said first ones of said data signals, wherein said window includes a status line having icons for indicating said predetermined ones of said telephony functions which have been implemented by said telephone set.

2. The computer-based telephony system of claim 1, further comprising context sensitive buttons for initiating one or more of said telephony functions which are appropriate to said telephone call status.

3. The computer-based telephony system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said buttons is a default button adjacent said area for indicating telephone call status, said default button being provided for user initiation of a preferred one of said telephony functions which is appropriate to said telephone call status.

4. The computer-based telephony system of claim 3, wherein said window includes a control bar of further ones of said buttons which are sequentially arranged adjacent said default button for user initiation of respective further ones of said telephony functions which are appropriate to said telephone line status.

5. The computer-based telephony system of claim 3, wherein said default button has focus in said window such that said preferred one of said telephony functions may be initiated by pressing an Enter key on the computer executing said application.

6. The computer-based telephony system of claim 4, wherein said control bar is generated and displayed only in response to a predetermined user input.

7. The computer-based telephony system of claim 2, wherein said context sensitive buttons are identified by labels including at least one of an icon or text for describing said telephony functions which are appropriate to said telephone call status.

8. The computer-based telephony system of claim 1, wherein said telephone set includes a plurality of user programmable functions keys, and wherein said computer executable software application (I) generates and displays a window including an area depicting said user programmable function keys and a menu associated with each of said depicted programmable function keys, said menu containing a plurality of user-selectable ones of said predetermined software functions and said telephony functions to be assigned to respective ones of said programmable function keys, (ii) transmits predetermined data signals from said computer to said telephone set in response to user selection of said predetermined software functions and said telephony functions whereby said telephone set assigns said predetermined software functions and telephony functions to respective ones of said user programmable function keys on said telephone set, and (iii) prints an overlay card listing each one of said predetermined software functions and telephony functions assigned to respective ones of said user programmable function keys for placement on said telephone set.

9. The computer-based telephony system of claim 2, wherein said computer executable software application maintains a phonebook database and generates and displays a phonebook window including an area for indicating names and default telephone numbers of frequently called persons and a button for initiating a call to a selected one of said persons.

10. The computer-based telephony system of claim 9, wherein said computer executable software application generates a profile window associated with each of said frequently called persons, for each of said persons said profile window including a graphic image of that person, the person'"'"'s first and last name, and a plurality of selectable tabs for selectively displaying additional information concerning the person and options for automatic implementation of selected ones of said predetermined telephony functions and predetermined software functions.

11. The computer-based telephony system of claim 10, wherein one of said plurality of selectable tabs is a notes tab for displaying textual notes and icons for initiating playback of sound files associated with said person.

12. The computer-based telephony system of claim 10, wherein one of said plurality of selectable tabs is a work tab for displaying full work address for said person.

13. The computer-based telephony system of claim 10, wherein one of said plurality of selectable tabs is a home tab for displaying a full home address for said person.

14. The computer-based telephony system of claim 10, wherein one of said plurality of selectable tabs is a phone tab for displaying a plurality of telephone numbers associated with said person in addition to the default telephone number for said person.

15. The computer-based telephony system of claim 10, wherein one of said plurality of selectable tabs is a tab for customizing greetings to be played when said person calls.

16. The computer-based telephony system of claim 10, wherein one of said plurality of selectable tabs is a shortcuts tab containing a field for displaying icons representing additional software applications which can either be automatically executed in response to one or both of calls being placed to said person or received from said person or manually executed by mouse clicking on said icons.

17. The computer-based telephony system of claim 2, wherein said window further includes an information display area for displaying name, telephone number and graphic image of a called or calling party.

18. The computer-based telephony system of claim 17, wherein said computer executable software application maintains a phonebook database including said name, telephone number and graphic image, and automatically searches said database in the event of an incoming call containing caller line identification data for a match between said caller line identification data and said telephone number and in the event of a match automatically displays said name, telephone number and graphic image in said display area of said window.

19. The computer-based telephony system of claim 1, wherein said computer executable software application includes a user customizable dialler for dialling a plurality of numbers associated with a user defined category in accordance with a user selected dialling sequence.

20. The computer-based telephony system of claim 19, wherein said computer executable software application displays a window showing a user selected name for each said category and a plurality of buttons each with a user selected label.

21. A computer-based telephony system for use with a telephone set capable of implementing telephony functions on a telephone line, the telephone set having a serial interface for bi-directional communication of data signals, the computer-based telephony system comprising:

a computer executable software application configured to run on a computer and to implement the steps connected to the telephone set via said interface generated in response to user input to the telephone set of

receiving first ones of the data signals from the telephone set and in response implementing predetermined software functions on the computer;

transmitting further data signals from said computer to the telephone set in response to a user input to the computer whereupon the telephone set implements predetermined ones of the telephony functions; and

generating a display on the computer of a window including an area for indicating telephone call status responsive to one of either the user input or receipt of the first ones of the data signals, and wherein said window includes a status line having icons for indicating predetermined ones of the telephony functions which have been implemented by the telephone set.