Method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone

• US 6,721,401 B2
• Filed: 01/10/2002
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Nokia of America Corporation (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Anne Yin-Fee, Martin, Ronald Bruce
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US10/041,564
• Publication Number:
  US 20030128823A1
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.17, 379/93.19, 379/93.23, 379/93.25, 379/218.01, 370/352
• US Class Current: 379/93.17
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/25 related to user interface aspects of the telephonic communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/251 where a voice mode or a visual mode can be used interchangeably
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/254 where the visual mode comprises menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4935 Connection initiated by DAS system
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone. A communication system receives a request to generate a set of destination names at the finder service from the calling phone. If the calling phone is capable of processing IP data, the communication system sends a text-based menu interface including the set of destination names to the calling phone. The calling phone may send a menu response indicating one of the set of destination names to the communication system. The communication system receives the menu response from the calling phone and redirects the calling phone to the destination name.

Claims

1. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone, the method comprising:

receiving a request at the finder service from the calling phone, the request being a request to generate a set of destination names;

determining if the calling phone is capable of processing IP data;

if the calling phone is capable of processing IP data, sending a text-based menu interface to the calling phone, the text-based menu interface including the set of destination names;

receiving a menu response from the calling phone, the menu response indicating one of the set of destination names; and

redirecting the calling phone to the destination name.

2. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the request includes an indicator that the calling phone is capable of processing a text-based menu interface.

3. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 2, wherein the step of determining if the calling phone is capable of processing IP data comprises checking the indicator.

4. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of determining if the calling phone is capable of processing IP data comprises determining if the calling phone can process HTML (HyperText Markup Language) messages.

5. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of determining if the calling phone is capable of processing IP data comprises determining if the calling phone can process Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) messages.

6. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of sending a text-based menu interface comprises sending an HTML (HyperText Markup Language) message.

7. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the step of sending a text-based menu interface comprises sending a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) message.

8. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the calling phone is a wireline phone.

9. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the calling phone is a softphone running on a computer.

10. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the calling phone is a wireless phone.

11. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the calling phone is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA).

12. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the calling phone is a pen tablet.

13. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the calling phone is a web pad.

14. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 1, wherein the request utilizes a first connection, wherein the step of redirecting the calling phone to the destination name comprises initiating a second connection between the calling phone and the destination name.

15. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 11, wherein the step of initiating a second connection between the calling phone and the destination name comprises initiating a second connection between the calling phone and the destination name having a different Quality of Service (QoS) than the first connection.

16. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 15, wherein the QoS is higher for the second connection than the first connection.

17. A method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone in accordance with claim 15, wherein the QoS for the second connection is sufficient to support voice.

18. A method for transferring a call session from a HyperText Markup Language (HTML) to a voice session, the method comprising:

establishing an HTML connection between a calling phone and a finder service;

sending a text-based menu interface to the calling phone;

receiving a menu response from the calling phone, the menu response indicating a directory number of a destination phone; and

transferring the call session to a voice session between the calling phone and the destination phone.

19. A method for transferring a call session from a Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) session to a voice session, the method comprising:

establishing a WAP connection between a calling phone and a finder service;

sending a text-based menu interface to the calling phone;

receiving a menu response from the calling phone, the menu response indicating a directory number of a destination phone; and

transferring the call session to a voice session between the calling phone and the destination phone.