Methods and apparatus for processing phantom calls placed via computer-telephony integration (CTI)
First Claim
1. A method of processing a call in a switch of a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:
- receiving, from a computer-telephony integration device associated with the switch, a request to place a call through the switch from an originator to a destination; and
placing the call through the switch from the originator to the destination, wherein the originator corresponds to an extension which is not associated with a physical communication device of the system.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A call initiation request generated by an application running on a computer-telephony integration (CTI) server or other CTI device is supplied via a CTI link to a switch. The switch receives the request over the CTI link, and places a "phantom" call from the originator of the call to the destination of the call. The phantom call may be representative of, for example, a real-time voice call or a non-real-time transaction such as a delivery of an e-mail, facsimile or voice mail message. The originator corresponds to a phantom extension or group of phantom extensions which is not associated with any physical communication device of the system. A phantom extension in accordance with the invention does not require an actual physical originator or destination communication device, as well as a corresponding switch port card or other hardware, and therefore does not consume valuable switch resources. The switch reports call status information for the phantom call to the application over the CTI link.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of processing a call in a switch of a communication system, the method comprising the steps of:
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receiving, from a computer-telephony integration device associated with the switch, a request to place a call through the switch from an originator to a destination; and placing the call through the switch from the originator to the destination, wherein the originator corresponds to an extension which is not associated with a physical communication device of the system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. An apparatus for use in processing a call in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:
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a switch; and a computer-telephony integration device associated with the switch, the device generating a request to place a call through the switch from an originator to a destination, wherein the originator corresponds to an extension which is not associated with a physical communication device of the system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for use in processing a call in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor operative to place a call from an originator to a destination using information supplied by a computer-telephony integration device associated with the processor, wherein the originator corresponds to an extension which is not associated with a physical communication device of the system; and a memory coupled to the processor for storing information regarding the call.
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Specification