Location-based forwarding

• US 7,013,003 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arlington Technologies, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Inventors: Seligmann, Doree Duncan
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, CREIGHTON H
• Application Number:
  US10/375,252
• Publication Number:
  US 20040185838A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,111 Days
• Field of Search: 379/211.02
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/0002 Remote monitoring of patients using telemetry, e.g. transmission of vital signals via a communication network A61B5/07 takes precedence; transmission systems for measured values G08C; transmission H04B; transmission of digital information H04L; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/1112 Global tracking of patients, e.g. by using GPS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72451 according to schedules, e.g. using calendar applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72454 according to context-related or environment-related conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72457 according to geographic location
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2094 Proximity
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/10 including a GPS signal receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• 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 3/436 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
• 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 3/58 Arrangements for transferring received calls from one subscriber to another; Arrangements affording interim conversations between either the calling or the called party and a third party substation line holding circuits H04M1/80
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 : Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 : Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 : Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 : Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/14 : between corresponding nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A method for enabling signals directed to a first telecommunications terminal to be forwarded to a second telecommunications terminal in the vicinity of the first terminal is disclosed. In particular, the illustrative embodiment automatically forwards signals to the closest telecommunications terminal for which the first terminal is authorized to do so.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

(a) receiving (i) a location of a first telecommunications terminal and (ii) a forwarding request from said first telecommunications terminal;

(b) ascertaining the identity of a second telecommunications terminal, wherein said second telecommunications terminal is the closest telecommunications terminal to said first telecommunications terminal to which said first telecommunications terminal is authorized to have signals forwarded; and

(c) forwarding a signal directed to said first telecommunications terminal to said second telecommunications terminal based on the receiving of said forwarding request.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said forwarding is selected from the group consisting of:

redirecting, transferring, bridging, and connecting.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said first telecommunications terminal and said second telecommunications terminal is wireless.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein said ascertaining comprises:

determining a set of telecommunications terminals within a distance threshold of said first telecommunications terminal, and

selecting from said set the telecommunications terminal closest to said first telecommunications terminal.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said ascertaining further comprises computing at least one distance between said first telecommunications terminal and a respective one of said telecommunications terminals in said set.

6. A method comprising:

(a) receiving (i) a location of a first telecommunications terminal and (ii) a forwarding request from said first telecommunications terminal;

(b) ascertaining the identity of a second telecommunications terminal, wherein said second telecommunications terminal is the closest telecommunications terminal to said first telecommunications terminal; and

(c) forwarding a signal directed to said second telecommunications terminal to said first telecommunications terminal based on the receiving of said forwarding request.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said forwarding is selected from the group consisting of:

redirecting, transferring, bridging, and connecting.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein at least one of said first telecommunications terminal and said second telecommunications terminal is wireless.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein said ascertaining comprises:

determining a set of telecommunications terminals within a distance threshold of said first telecommunications terminal, and

selecting from said set the telecommunications terminal closest to said first telecommunications terminal.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said ascertaining further comprises computing at least one distance between said first telecommunications terminal and a respective one of said telecommunications terminals in said set.

11. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a forwarding request associated with a first telecommunications terminal;

(b) ascertaining the identity of a second telecommunications terminal, wherein said second telecommunications terminal is the closest telecommunications terminal to said first telecommunications terminal to which said first telecommunications terminal is authorized to forward signals; and

(c) forwarding a signal directed to said first telecommunications terminal to said second telecommunications terminal based on the receiving of said forwarding request.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said forwarding is selected from the group consisting of:

redirecting, transferring, bridging, and connecting.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein at least one of said first telecommunications terminal and said second telecommunications terminal is wireless.

14. The method of claim 11 wherein said ascertaining comprises:

determining a set of telecommunications terminals within a distance threshold of said first telecommunications terminal, and

selecting said second telecommunications terminal from said set.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said selecting comprises rejecting a third telecommunications terminal, wherein:

the distance between said third telecommunications terminal and said first telecommunications terminal is less than the distance between said second telecommunications terminal and said first telecommunications terminal, and

said first telecommunications terminal is unauthorized to forward signals to said third telecommunications terminal.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein said selecting comprises rejecting a third telecommunications terminal, wherein:

the distance between said third telecommunications terminal and said first telecommunications terminal is less than the distance between said second telecommunications terminal and said first telecommunications terminal, and

said first telecommunications terminal is unauthorized to receive forwarded signals from said third telecommunications terminal.

16. A method comprising:

(a) receiving a forwarding request associated with a first telecommunications terminal;

(b) ascertaining the identity of a second telecommunications terminal, wherein said second telecommunications terminal is the closest telecommunications terminal to said first telecommunications terminal from which said first telecommunications terminal is authorized to receive forwarded signals; and

(c) forwarding a signal directed to said second telecommunications terminal to said first telecommunications terminal based on the receiving of said forwarding request.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said forwarding is selected from the group consisting of:

redirecting, transferring, bridging, and connecting.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein at least one of said first telecommunications terminal and said second telecommunications terminal is wireless.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein said ascertaining comprises:

determining a set of telecommunications terminals within a distance threshold of said first telecommunications terminal, and

selecting said second telecommunications terminal from said set.

21. A method comprising:

(a) receiving (i) a location of a first telecommunications terminal and (ii) a forwarding request from said first telecommunications terminal;

(b) ascertaining the identity of a second telecommunications terminal, wherein said second telecommunications terminal is the closest telecommunications terminal to said first telecommunications terminal; and

(c) forwarding a signal directed to said first telecommunications terminal to said second telecommunications terminal based on the receiving of said forwarding request, wherein said signal is associated with an incoming call.