Organization chart based call information routing

• US 6,075,851 A
• Filed: 04/01/1999
• Issued: 06/13/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zarlink Semiconductor Inc. (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Pinard, Deborah L., Evans, Ronald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zele, Krista
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoosain, Allan
• Application Number:
  US09/283,197
• Time in Patent Office: 439 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/83, 379/88.22, 379/93.12, 379/100.15, 379/120, 379/157, 379/199, 379/201, 379/210, 379/243
• US Class Current: 379/199
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27475 using interactive graphical means or pictorial representations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27485 Appending a prefix to or inserting a pause into a dialling sequence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• 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 3/44 Additional connecting arrangements for providing access to frequently-wanted subscribers, e.g. abbreviated dialling at the subscriber's set H04M1/27; automatic redialling H04M3/424
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• 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: H04Q 3/665 Circuit arrangements therefor
• 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

Abstract

A method of routing calls, messages or information (call routing) comprising storing in a memory a database representing a relationship or organization roles, including names of persons filling the roles and call directory numbers associated with the roles, in response to a request to complete a call to a particular directory number associated with one of the roles, looking up in the database a directory number associated with one of the roles, and processing the call as if the call were directed to the further directory number.

Claims

1. A method of routing calls, messages or information in a communication system comprising:

(a) storing in a memory a database representing a plurality of relationships of organization roles, including names of first persons filling said roles, names of temporary persons to fill at least some specific ones of said roles, directory numbers associated with respective ones of said first and temporary persons, and call features associated with respective specific ones of said roles,

(b) in response to a request to complete a call to a particular directory number associated with one of said specific roles, looking up in said database an alternative directory number of a temporary person associated with said one of said specific roles, and

(c) processing said call to said alternate directory number instead of to said particular directory number, but with call features associated with said specific role.

2. A method as defined in claim 1 including storing in the database a feature in association with one of said first persons, and processing said call to said alternate directory number in a manner modified by said feature.

3. A method as defined in claim 2 in which said feature is call screening including a list of calling roles for which incoming calls are allowed to be completed to a particular person, and processing an incoming call by receiving a signal identifying a calling person, looking up a role associated with the calling person in the database, retrieving said call screening including said list of persons associated with roles for which incoming calls are allowed to ring said particular person, and completing the call in the event that the role associated with the calling person is on said list.

4. A method as defined in claim 3 including completing the call to another person in the event the calling person is not on the list.

5. A method as defined in claim 1 in which said feature is directory retrieval, including in said organization chart a list of directory numbers of a group of persons filling a particular role, and processing an outgoing call by looking up said role in the database, and retrieving each of the directory numbers in said list, and dialing at least one of the retrieved directory numbers.

6. A method as defined in claim 5 in which said feature is directory retrieval, in which the database includes a list of directory numbers of members of a group filling a particular role, and further including the steps of processing an outgoing call by looking up said role in the database, and retrieving each of the directory numbers in said list, and forwarding an electronic mail message to each member of the group using the retrieved directory numbers in said list.

7. A method as defined in claim 1 in which one of said specific features is special access, storing an alternate special access directory number in association with a particular role, and processing an outgoing call by looking up the role associated with a particular dialed directory number, retrieving said alternate special access directory number associated with the role and dialing the outgoing call with said alternate special access directory number in place of said particular dialed directory number.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, in which one of said specific features is call forwarding, and including the steps of storing in the database a number associated with a particular role, receiving an incoming call, looking up said number associated with said particular role and forwarding said incoming call to said number associated with said particular role.

9. A method as defined in claim 8 including modifying the number associated with said particular role and forwarding said incoming call to the modified number.

10. A method as defined in claim 1 including associating the database with a switching system and completing the call to a person connected to the switching system.