Delivering calls using calendar information

• US 6,751,307 B2
• Filed: 07/05/2001
• Issued: 06/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd. (Xiaomi Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: McAlinden, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong, Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US09/899,685
• Publication Number:
  US 20030007617A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,076 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.23, 379/201.01, 379/201.02, 379/201.07, 379/201.08, 379/207.03, 379/210.01, 379/211.02, 379/909, 379/196, 379/197, 379/198, 379/207.15, 345/963
• US Class Current: 379/201.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• 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: Y10S 379/909 Alternatives

Abstract

A call routing function may receive information from a user profile about how to handle a telephone call. In addition, the call routing function may also receive information about what the user is currently involved in doing. This information may be derived from the user'"'"'s software-based calendar. Using both sources of information, a call may automatically be appropriately routed by the call routing function.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

periodically obtaining information from calendar software about a user activity;

storing the information from the periodic obtaining of the calendar software;

obtaining information about the user'"'"'s call handling profile; and

using said stored information and said profile information to handle an incoming telephone call.

2. The method of claim 1 including obtaining information about the identity of a caller and using that information together with the activity and profile information to handle a telephone call.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining information from calendar software includes obtaining information from an enterprise calendar server.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining information from calendar software includes obtaining information from personal information management software.

5. The method of claim 1 including routing an incoming call differently depending on the user'"'"'s activity as determined from the calendar software.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein obtaining information about the user'"'"'s call handling profile includes obtaining information about how a user wishes to handle incoming calls from a particular caller.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein obtaining information about the user'"'"'s call handling profile includes determining how to notify the user of a call from a particular caller.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein obtaining information about the user'"'"'s call handling profile includes determining whether to automatically store the call from a particular caller in voice mail.

9. The method of claim 1 including using said activity and profile information on a telephone to handle a call.

10. The method of claim 9 including using said activity and profile information on a cellular telephone to handle an incoming call.

11. An article comprising a medium storing instructions that, if executed, enable a processor-based system to:

periodically obtain information from calendar software about a user activity;

store said information;

obtain information about the user'"'"'s call handling profile; and

use said stored activity information and profile information to handle an incoming telephone call.

12. The article of claim 11 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to obtain information about the identity of a caller and use that information together with the activity and profile information to handle a call.

13. The article of claim 11 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to obtain information from an enterprise calendar server.

14. The article of claim 11 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to obtain information from personal information management software.

15. The article of claim 11 further storing instructions that enable a processor-based system to route an incoming call differently depending on the user'"'"'s current activity as determined from the calendar software.

16. The article of claim 11 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to use the activity and profile information on a telephone to handle a telephone call.

17. The article of claim 16 further storing instructions that enable the processor-based system to use the activity and profile information on a cellular telephone to handle an incoming call.

18. A system comprising:

a processor; and

a storage coupled to said processor storing instructions that, if executed, enable the processor to periodically obtain information from calendar software about a user'"'"'s activity, store said information, obtain information from the user'"'"'s call handling profile, and use said stored activity and profile information to handle an incoming telephone call.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein said system is a telephone.

20. The system of claim 18 wherein said system is a cellular telephone.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein said system is part of an enterprise telephone call handling system.

22. The system of claim 18 wherein said storage stores instructions that obtain information about the identity of a caller and use that information together with activity and profile information to handle a telephone call.