Concurrent hunt group searching methods and arrangements

• US 6,473,501 B1
• Filed: 06/11/1999
• Issued: 10/29/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Paulsrud, Tomas
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US09/332,352
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 379/157, 379/201.01, 379/211.02, 379/265.11, 379/265.01
• US Class Current: 379/157
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/46 Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/64 Distributing or queueing

Abstract

Methods and arrangements relating to voice hunt group searching techniques are provided for use in various telecommunication systems. The voice hunt group searching techniques allow for a plurality of incoming calls to concurrently attempt call set-ups to members within the voice hunt group. The voice hunt group is defined has having a plurality of members and an associated search order. Incoming calls to the voice hunt group are verified against an access list, and then allowed to attempt call set-ups with the next available member in the voice hunt group. Concurrent call set-ups are enabled through the use of an algorithm that significantly reduces queuing delays for subsequently received calls, and provides for concurrent call set-up processes.

Claims

1. A method for use in a telephony system having a plurality of members, each member being associated with at least one different identified telecommunication terminal, the method comprising:

establishing a hunt group that includes at least a portion of the plurality of members;

establishing a search order associated with the hunt group;

receiving at least a first call and a second call, the first and second calls being configured to access at least a portion of the hunt group; and

attempting to connect the first call with a first idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order, while concurrently attempting to connect the second call with a second idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the search order defines a sequential search of at least a portion of the members within the hunt group.

3. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the search order defines a recursive search of at least a portion of the members within the hunt group.

4. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein if the attempt to connect the first call is unsuccessful, the method further includes automatically attempting to connect the first call to a subsequent next idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein if the attempt to connect the second call is unsuccessful, the method further includes automatically attempting to connect the second call to a subsequent next idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising establishing an access list that identifies a second plurality of members, each member being associated with at least one different identified telecommunication terminal, and wherein the step of receiving the first call and the second call further includes verifying that the first call and the second call are each from members identified in the access list.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a plurality calls, including the first and a second calls, each of the plurality of calls being configured to access at least a portion of the hunt group; and

concurrently attempting to connect each of the plurality of calls to different members within the hunt group in accordance with the search order.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the step of concurrently attempting to connect each of the plurality of calls to different members within the hunt group in accordance with the search order further includes, attempting to connect each of the plurality of calls to different members within the hunt group based on a time of receipt associated with each of the plurality of calls received.

9. An arrangement for use in a telephony system having a plurality of members, each member being associated with at least one different identified telecommunication terminal, the arrangement comprising:

a switching mechanism configured to receive a plurality of calls, the switching mechanism being capable of being connected to a plurality of telecommunication terminals and selectively directing each of the plurality of received calls to a different telecommunication terminal selected from among the plurality of telecommunication terminals;

a controller connected to the switching mechanism, the controller having the capability to establish a hunt group that includes at least a portion of the plurality of members, establish a search order associated with the hunt group, and operatively control the switching mechanism to receive at least a first call and a second call, the first and second calls being configured to access at least a portion of the hunt group, such that the switching mechanism attempts to connect the first call with a first idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order, while concurrently attempting to connect the second call with a second idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order.

10. The arrangement as recited in claim 9, further comprising memory connected to the controller and, configured to be accessed thereby, the memory being further configured to store information associated with at least the hunt group and the search order.

11. The arrangement as recited in claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the search order causes the controller to sequentially search at least a portion of the members within the hunt group.

12. The arrangement as recited in claim 9, wherein at least a portion of the search order causes the controller to recursively search at least a portion of the members within the hunt group.

13. The arrangement as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller further includes the capability to cause the switching mechanism to automatically attempt to connect the first call to a subsequent next idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order, if the attempt to connect the first call to the first idle member is unsuccessful.

14. The arrangement as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller further includes the capability to cause the switching mechanism to automatically attempt to connect the second call to a subsequent next idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order, if the attempt to connect the second call to the second idle member is unsuccessful.

15. The arrangement as recited in claim 10, wherein the controller is further capable of establishing access list that identifies a second plurality of members, each member being associated with a different identified telecommunication terminal, and verifying that the first call and the second call are each from members identified in the access list.

16. The arrangement as recited in claim 15, wherein the memory is further configured to store information associated with the access list.

17. The arrangement as recited in claim 9, wherein the switching mechanism is capable of receiving a plurality calls, including the first and a second calls, wherein each of the plurality of calls is configured to access at least a portion of the hunt group, and the controller is further capable of operatively causing the switching mechanism to concurrently attempt to connect each of the plurality of calls to different members within the hunt group in accordance with the search order.

18. The arrangement as recited in claim 17, wherein the controller is further capable of operatively causing the switching mechanism to attempt to connect each of the plurality of calls to different members within the hunt group based on a time of receipt associated with each of the plurality of calls received.

19. The arrangement as recited in claim 9, wherein the controller includes an application having a plurality of instructions that the controller is responsive thereto.

20. A computer-readable media for use within a telephony system having a plurality of members, each member being associated with at least one different identified telecommunication terminal, the computer-readable media comprising a plurality of instructions suitable for causing a switching mechanism to:

establish a hunt group that includes at least a portion of the plurality of members and a search order associated with the hunt group,

receive at least a first call and a second call, the first and second calls being configured to access at least a portion of the hunt group, attempt to connect the first call with a first idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order, while concurrently attempting to connect the second call with a second idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order.

21. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the search order defines a sequential search of at least a portion of the members within the hunt group.

22. The computer-readable media as recited in claim 20, wherein at least a portion of the search order defines a recursive search of at least a portion of the members within the hunt group.

23. A telecommunications system having a plurality of members, each member being associated with at least one different identified telecommunication terminal, the telecommunications system comprising:

a plurality of telecommunication terminals; and

at least one switching mechanism connected to the plurality of telecommunication terminals, and configured to;

receive a plurality of calls,

selectively direct each of the plurality of received calls to a different telecommunication terminal selected from among the plurality of telecommunication terminals,

establish a hunt group that includes at least a portion of the plurality of members,

establish a search order associated with the hunt group,

receive at least a first call and a second call, the first and second calls being configured to access at least a portion of the hunt group, and

attempt to connect the first call with a first idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order, while concurrently attempting to connect the second call with a second idle member within the hunt group in accordance with the search order.

24. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 23, wherein at least a portion of the search order defines a sequential search of at least a portion of the members within the hunt group.

25. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 23, wherein at least a portion of the search order defines a recursive search of at least a portion of the members within the hunt group.

26. The telecommunication system as recited in claim 23, further comprising;

at least one network connected to the switching mechanism; and

at least one telecommunication terminal connected to the network and configured to place at least the first call via the network.