Apparatus, method and system for personal telecommunication incoming call screening and alerting for call waiting applications

• US 6,519,335 B1
• Filed: 04/08/1999
• Issued: 02/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Bushnell, William Jackson
• Primary Examiner(s): Matar, Ahmad F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BUI, BING Q
• Application Number:
  US09/289,138
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.35, 379/199, 379/201.01, 379/208.01, 379/215.01, 379/373.01, 379/373.02
• US Class Current: 379/215.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/06 Lines and connections with preferential service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• 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

Abstract

An apparatus, method and system are provided for personal telecommunication incoming call screening and alerting for call waiting applications. During a first telecommunication call, the method includes, first, receiving a second telecommunication call, and second, determining a relative priority of the second telecommunication call compared to the first telecommunication call. When the second telecommunication call has a same relative priority or a higher relative priority than the first telecommunication call, the method provides a first level of priority service to the second telecommunication call, such as interrupting the user and providing a distinctive user alert during the first telecommunication call indicative of the same or higher level of priority. When the second telecommunication call has a lower relative priority than the first telecommunication call, the method provides a second level of priority service to the second telecommunication call, such as providing a distinctive user alert indicative of a lower relative priority, and providing automatic messaging or voice mail service to the second telecommunication call. The various embodiments determine these relative priorities based upon user input or based upon the observed, actual behavior of the user or subscriber, such as whether the user allows certain current calls to be interrupted by other incoming calls, whether the consumer accepts and continues with an incoming call while releasing the current call, or whether the consumer returns to the current call from call waiting while releasing the incoming call.

Claims

1. A method for personal telecommunication call screening and alerting during a first telecommunication call, the method comprising:

(a) receiving a second telecommunication call;

(b) determining a relative priority of the second telecommunication call, of a plurality of relative priorities;

wherein at least one relative priority, of the plurality of relative priorities, is automatically determined based upon previously observed user behavior, the automatic determination further based upon a pair-wise comparison of prior user treatment of an incoming telecommunication call during a current telecommunication call;

(c) when the second telecommunication call has a same relative priority or a higher relative priority than the first telecommunication call, providing a first level of priority service to the second telecommunication call; and

(d) when the second telecommunication call has a lower relative priority than the first telecommunication call, providing a second level of priority service to the second telecommunication call.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first level of priority service comprises providing a user alert to the second telecommunication call, wherein the user alert is a distinctive indicator of the same relative priority or the higher relative priority of the second telecommunication call.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the user alert is a distinctive call waiting tone.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

(e) when the second telecommunication call has no predetermined relative priority, providing a second level of priority service to the second telecommunication call.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second level of priority service comprises providing telecommunication messaging and answering to the second telecommunication call.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second level of priority service comprises providing a user alert to the second telecommunication call, wherein the user alert is a distinctive indicator of the lower relative priority of the second telecommunication call.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one relative priority, of the plurality of relative priorities, is determined by prior user assignment.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning a lower relative priority to the incoming telecommunication call when the incoming telecommunication call has not been allowed to interrupt the current telecommunication call.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning a higher relative priority to the incoming telecommunication call when the incoming telecommunication call has been selected for continued communication while the current telecommunication call has been terminated.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning a lower relative priority to the incoming telecommunication call when the current telecommunication call has been selected for continued communication while the incoming telecommunication call has been terminated.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning a same relative priority to the incoming telecommunication call when the incoming telecommunication call has been selected for continued communication concurrently with the current telecommunication call.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises, when the second telecommunication call does not include caller identification information, assigning a lowest relative priority to the second telecommunication call and providing a third level of priority service to the second telecommunication call.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises, when the second telecommunication call does not include caller identification information associated with an affinity number, assigning a lowest relative priority to the second telecommunication call and providing a third level of priority service to the second telecommunication call.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein step (b) further comprises accessing an affinity database, wherein the affinity database stores a plurality of affinity numbers and, for each affinity number of the plurality, further stores a corresponding relative priority of the plurality of relative priorities.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of affinity numbers are determined by including directory numbers corresponding to outgoing telecommunication calls.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of affinity numbers are determined by including directory numbers corresponding to received incoming calls having a predetermined minimum duration.

17. An apparatus for personal telecommunication call screening and alerting during a first telecommunication call, the apparatus comprising:

a network interface for receiving a second telecommunication call;

a receiver coupled to the network interface;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory and to the receiver, wherein the processor includes instructions for determining a relative priority of the second telecommunication call, of a plurality of relative priorities;

the processor having further instructions for automatically determining at least one relative priority, of the plurality of relative priorities, based upon previously observed user behavior, the automatic determination further based upon a pair-wise comparison of prior user treatment of an incoming telecommunication call during a current telecommunication call;

the processor having further instructions for providing a first level of priority service to the second telecommunication call when the second telecommunication call has a same relative priority or a higher relative priority than the first telecommunication call, and for providing a second level of priority service to the second telecommunication call when the second telecommunication call has a lower relative priority than the first telecommunication call.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor has further instructions, when the second telecommunication call has no predetermined relative priority, for providing a second level of priority service to the second telecommunication call.

19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a user output interface coupled to the processor, the user output interface for generating a user alert; and

wherein the processor includes further instructions for providing the user alert for the second telecommunication call having the first level of priority service, wherein the user alert is a distinctive indicator of the same relative priority or the higher relative priority of the second telecommunication call.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein the user alert is a distinctive call waiting tone.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the user output interface includes answering and messaging circuitry, and wherein the processor includes further instructions for providing telecommunication messaging and answering to the second telecommunication call having the second level of priority service.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the processor includes further instructions for providing a user alert to the second telecommunication call having the second level of priority service, wherein the user alert is a distinctive indicator of the lower relative priority of the second telecommunication call.

23. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising:

a user input interface coupled to the processor for receiving user input; and

wherein at least one relative priority, of the plurality of relative priorities, is assigned by prior user input.

24. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lower relative priority to the incoming telecommunication call when the incoming telecommunication call has not been allowed to interrupt the current telecommunication call.

25. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a higher relative priority to the incoming telecommunication call when the incoming telecommunication call has been selected for continued communication while the current telecommunication call has been terminated.

26. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lower relative priority to the incoming telecommunication call when the current telecommunication call has been selected for continued communication while the incoming telecommunication call has been terminated.

27. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a same relative priority to the incoming telecommunication call when the incoming telecommunication call has been selected for continued communication concurrently with the incoming telecommunication call.

28. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the receiver decodes caller identification information from the second telecommunication call, and wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lowest relative priority to the second telecommunication call and providing a third level of priority service to the second telecommunication call when the second telecommunication call does not include caller identification information.

29. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the receiver decodes caller identification information from the second telecommunication call, and wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lowest relative priority to the second telecommunication call and providing a third level of priority service to the second telecommunication call when the second telecommunication call does not include caller identification information associated with an affinity number.

30. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the memory stores an affinity database having a plurality of affinity numbers and, for each affinity number of the plurality, the memory further stores a corresponding relative priority of the plurality of relative priorities.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising:

a user input interface coupled to the processor for entry of a directory number corresponding to an outgoing telecommunication call; and

wherein the processor includes further instructions for determining the plurality of affinity numbers by including in the affinity database directory numbers corresponding to outgoing telecommunication calls.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the processor includes further instructions for determining the plurality of affinity numbers by including in the affinity database directory numbers corresponding to received incoming telecommunication calls having a predetermined minimum duration.

33. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is embodied within customer premise equipment.

34. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the apparatus is embodied within a telephone.

35. A system for personal telecommunication call screening and alerting during a first network communication, the system comprising:

a line unit couplable to customer premise equipment;

a network signaling interface for receiving network signaling information;

a network trunk interface for receiving a second network communication;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory, to the line unit, to the network signaling interface, and to the network trunk interface, wherein the processor includes instructions for determining a relative priority of the second network communication, from a plurality of relative priorities;

the processor having further instructions for automatically determining at least one relative priority, of the plurality of relative priorities, based upon previously observed user behavior, the automatic determination further based upon a pair-wise comparison of prior user treatment of an incoming telecommunication call during a current telecommunication call;

the processor having further instructions for providing a first level of priority service to the second network communication when the second network communication has a same relative priority or a higher relative priority than the first network communication, and for providing a second level of priority service to the second network communication when the second network communication has a lower relative priority than the first network communication.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor includes further instructions, when the second telecommunication call has no predetermined relative priority, for providing a second level of priority service to the second telecommunication call.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor includes further instructions to direct the line unit to provide a user alert to the second network communication having the first level of priority service, wherein the user alert is a distinctive indicator of the same relative priority or the higher relative priority of the second network communication.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the user alert is a distinctive call waiting tone.

39. The system of claim 35, further comprising voice mail circuitry coupled to the line unit and the network trunk interface for providing telecommunication messaging and answering for the second network communication having the second level of priority service.

40. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor includes further instructions to direct the line unit to provide a user alert to the second network communication having the second level of priority service, wherein the user alert is a distinctive indicator of the lower relative priority of the second network communication.

41. The system of claim 35, wherein the line unit receives user input;

and wherein at least one relative priority, of the plurality of relative priorities, is assigned by prior user input.

42. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lower relative priority to the incoming network communication when the incoming network communication has not been allowed to interrupt the current network communication.

43. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a higher relative priority to the incoming network communication when the incoming network communication has been selected for continued communication while the current network communication has been terminated.

44. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lower relative priority to the incoming network communication when the current network communication has been selected for continued communication while the incoming network communication has been terminated.

45. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a same relative priority to the incoming network communication when the incoming network communication has been selected for continued communication concurrently with the current network communication.

46. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lowest relative priority to the second network communication and providing a third level of priority service to the second network communication when network signaling information corresponding to the second network communication does not include caller identification information.

47. The system of claim 35, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lowest relative priority to the second network communication and providing a third level of priority service to the second network communication when network signaling information corresponding to the second network communication does not include caller identification information associated with an affinity number.

48. The system of claim 35, wherein the memory stores an affinity database having a plurality of affinity numbers and, for each affinity number of the plurality, the memory further stores a corresponding relative priority of the plurality of relative priorities.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the line unit receives a directory number corresponding to an outgoing telecommunication call;

and wherein the processor includes further instructions for determining the plurality of affinity numbers by including in the affinity database the directory number corresponding to the outgoing telecommunication call.

50. The system of claim 48, wherein the processor includes further instructions for determining the plurality of affinity numbers by including in the affinity database a directory number corresponding to a user received incoming telecommunication call having a predetermined minimum duration.

51. The system of claim 35, wherein the system is embodied in a network switch.

52. The system of claim 35, wherein the system is embodied in a central office.

53. A system for personal telecommunication call screening and alerting during a first communication, the system comprising:

a line unit couplable to customer premise equipment to receive a second communication;

a memory; and

a processor coupled to the memory and to the line unit, wherein the processor includes instructions for determining a relative priority of the second communication, of a plurality of relative priorities;

the processor having further instructions for automatically determining at least one relative priority, of the plurality of relative priorities, based upon previously observed user behavior, the automatic determination further based upon a pair-wise comparison of prior user treatment of an incoming telecommunication call during a current telecommunication call;

the processor having further instructions for providing a first level of priority service to the second communication when the second communication has a same relative priority or a higher relative priority than the first communication, and for providing a second level of priority service to the second communication when the second communication has a lower relative priority than the first communication.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the processor includes farther instructions, when the second telecommunication call has no predetermined relative priority, for providing a second level of priority service to the second telecommunication call.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the processor includes further instructions to direct the line unit to provide a user alert to the second communication having the first level of priority service, wherein the user alert is a distinctive indicator of the same relative priority or the higher relative priority of the second communication.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the user alert is a distinctive call waiting tone.

57. The system of claim 53, further comprising voice mail circuitry coupled to the line unit for providing telecommunication messaging and answering for the second communication having the second level of priority service.

58. The system of claim 53, wherein the processor includes further instructions to direct the line unit to provide a user alert to the second communication having the second level of priority service, wherein the user alert is a distinctive indicator of the lower relative priority of the second communication.

59. The system of claim 53, wherein the line unit receives user input;

and wherein at least one relative priority, of the plurality of relative priorities, is assigned by prior user input.

60. The system of claim 53, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lower relative priority to the incoming communication when the incoming communication has not been allowed to interrupt the current communication.

61. The system of claim 53, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a higher relative priority to the incoming communication when the incoming communication has been selected for continuation while the current communication has been terminated.

62. The system of claim 53, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lower relative priority to the incoming communication when the current communication has been selected for continuation while the incoming communication has been terminated.

63. The system of claim 53, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a same relative priority to the incoming communication when the incoming communication has been selected for continuation concurrently with the current communication.

64. The system of claim 53, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lowest relative priority to the second communication and providing a third level of priority service to the second communication when the second communication does not include caller identification information.

65. The system of claim 53, wherein the processor includes further instructions for assigning a lowest relative priority to the second communication and providing a third level of priority service to the second communication when the second communication does not include caller identification information associated with an affinity number.

66. The system of claim 53, wherein the memory stores an affinity database having a plurality of affinity numbers and, for each affinity number of the plurality, the memory further stores a corresponding relative priority of the plurality of relative priorities.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the line unit receives a directory number corresponding to an outgoing telecommunication call;

and wherein the processor includes further instructions for determining the plurality of affinity numbers by including in the affinity database the directory number corresponding to the outgoing telecommunication call.

68. The system of claim 66, wherein the processor includes further instructions for determining the plurality of affinity numbers by including in the affinity database a directory number corresponding to a user received incoming telecommunication call having a predetermined minimum duration.

69. The system of claim 53, wherein the system is embodied in a network switch.

70. The system of claim 53, wherein the system is embodied in a central office.