Telecommute server

• US 6,404,874 B1
• Filed: 10/10/2000
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chestnut, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US09/686,274
• Time in Patent Office: 609 Days
• Field of Search: 379/210, 379/211, 379/219, 379/220, 379/93.02, 379/93.03
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42229 Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location diverting calls from one subscriber to another subscriber, i.e. two different subscriptions H04M3/54; selecting arrangements in intelligent networks H04Q3/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail 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: H04M 7/00 Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A method and device for managing a telecommunication system, including call forwarding, with a computer network (LAN, WAN, etc.) integrated with a private branch exchange (PBX) connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Calls are forwarded based upon the device used to log onto the computer network by the called party.

Claims

1. A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is determined by whether a computer terminal is logged into a computer network, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a call on a telephone system which is coupled to a computer network;

b) determining the identity of a called party to whom said call should be directed;

c) identifying which one of a plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party is logged-on to said computer network;

d) identifying a telephone number associated with said network logon device; and

e) forwarding the call to said telephone number;

wherein said called party can specify to continue steps a) through e) for a specified time after said one of the plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party-is logged off said computer network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein steps a) through e) can be scheduled for a predefined period of time after said one of the plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party is logged-on to said computer network regardless of whether said network logon device is presently logged on to said computer network.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein steps d) and e) vary depending on which one of said plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party is logged-on to said computer network, such that a first call received at step a) including a signal identifying said first call as a voice call is forwarded at step e) to a first telephone number associated with said network logon device and a second call received at step a) including a signal identifying said second call as a facsimile call is forwarded at step e) to a second telephone number associated with said network logon device.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said call is directed to a voice messaging system at step e) if none of said plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party is identified as logged-on.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said call may be forwarded at step e) to any one of a plurality of telephone numbers and the identification at step d) of which telephone number said call is forwarded to is based upon the date and time said call is received.

6. A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is controlled by a calling party, comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a call from the calling party on a telephone network requesting communications with a called party;

b) presenting said calling party with a menu listing a plurality of locations to which the call can be forwarded;

c) receiving a selection signal from said calling party identifying the location to which said call is to be forwarded; and

d) forwarding said call to a forwarding telephone number associated with said selection signal;

wherein said menu listing is modified based upon whether or not said called party is presently logged on to a computer network.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said menu listing includes a location not associated with said called party.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said menu listing is modified based upon the identity of said calling party identified through an identification code entered by said calling party via a telephone.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said menu listing is modified based upon the identity of said calling party identified through an identification code entered by said calling party via a computer connected to a data network.