Method and system for processing an incoming call
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of processing an incoming call without the use of special directory number to one of a plurality of lines where each line terminates on a single switch, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) provisioning the plurality of lines terminating on the switch as a single group;
(b) in response to an incoming call to any one line of said group, determining at said switch if group alerting has been provisioned against said one line;
(c) in response to group alerting being provisioned against said one line, said switch alerting said one line along with each other line of said group; and
said step (c) comprising the steps of;
(i) alerting said one line with a first alerting signal and alerting each other line of said group with a second alerting signal which is distinguishable from the first alerting signal;
(ii) determining that at least one of the lines is busy and subsequently applying a call waiting indication to said busy line; and
(iii) determining that said busy line is a line other than said one line and applying a distinctive call waiting indication to said busy line;
(d) in response to group alerting not being provisioned against said one line, said switch alerting only said one line.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A service is disclosed which allows subscribers who have multiple telephone lines extending from the same end office and who subscribe to such a service, to now be alerted on all of their multiple lines of an incoming call to any one of their lines. Regardless of which line in a predefined group of lines the incoming call is originally destined for, the subscriber will be alerted of the incoming call on each one of their lines. Numerous enhancements to the service are also disclosed.
67 Citations
27 Claims
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1. A method of processing an incoming call without the use of special directory number to one of a plurality of lines where each line terminates on a single switch, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) provisioning the plurality of lines terminating on the switch as a single group;
(b) in response to an incoming call to any one line of said group, determining at said switch if group alerting has been provisioned against said one line;
(c) in response to group alerting being provisioned against said one line, said switch alerting said one line along with each other line of said group; and
said step (c) comprising the steps of;
(i) alerting said one line with a first alerting signal and alerting each other line of said group with a second alerting signal which is distinguishable from the first alerting signal;
(ii) determining that at least one of the lines is busy and subsequently applying a call waiting indication to said busy line; and
(iii) determining that said busy line is a line other than said one line and applying a distinctive call waiting indication to said busy line;
(d) in response to group alerting not being provisioned against said one line, said switch alerting only said one line. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A system for processing an incoming call without the use of special directory number to one of a plurality of lines, each line having an associated terminal and terminating on a single switch comprising:
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(a) means for defining the plurality of lines terminating on the switch as a single group; and
(b) means in response to an incoming call to any one line of said group, for alerting an associated terminal of said one line along with associated terminals of each other line of said group;
(c) means for alerting the associated terminal of said one line with a first alerting signal and alerting the associated terminals of each other line of said group with a second alerting signal which is distinguishable from the first alerting signal;
(d) means for determining that at least one of the lines is busy and applying a call waiting indication to said busy line; and
(e) means for determining that said busy line is a line other than said one line and applying a distinctive call waiting indication to said busy line. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification