Call Management system with call control from user workstation computers
First Claim
1. A call management system comprising:
- at least one user position, comprising a computer workstation and associated telephone apparatus;
a call management computer;
a digital data network connecting the workstation of said at least one user position with said call management computer;
said call management computer including means for intercepting an incoming call to said at least one user position;
a storage means for storing at least one processing rule for determining how an intercepted call is to be processed;
means for determining that the intercepted call is for said at least one user position;
means for interacting with the workstation of said at least one user position to determine how the intercepted call is to be processed;
means for processing the call according to instructions received from the workstation of the user;
means for allowing a user to modify the at least one processing rule;
wherein said call management computer includes means for identifying a call type for the incoming call;
wherein said call management computer includes means for identifying the calling party; and
;
wherein said at least one processing rule is selected based on at least one of the call type and the calling party.
16 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A Call Management System provides for management of calls directly by system users at their workstation computers via a digital data network such as a digital networks not controlled via the user'"'"'s telephone instruments as in prior systems. A call management computer intercepts incoming calls and controls the handling of such calls according to instructions received from the users'"'"' workstations, which are accessed via the digital data network. Trunk circuits are monitored and controlled using digital signal processors to proactively identify the called party, the calling party and the call type (voice, Fax, data) and control and to monitor all calls. Each different type of call is managed differently and automatically through direct user workstation controls and/or user-generated rules to provide special treatment for designated callers. Multiple calls to user at the same time may be handled with no busy signals to callers. Only one number is needed for a user to receive voice Fax and data calls. Fax and data transmissions are automatically received.
-
Citations
43 Claims
-
1. A call management system comprising:
-
at least one user position, comprising a computer workstation and associated telephone apparatus; a call management computer; a digital data network connecting the workstation of said at least one user position with said call management computer; said call management computer including means for intercepting an incoming call to said at least one user position; a storage means for storing at least one processing rule for determining how an intercepted call is to be processed; means for determining that the intercepted call is for said at least one user position; means for interacting with the workstation of said at least one user position to determine how the intercepted call is to be processed; means for processing the call according to instructions received from the workstation of the user; means for allowing a user to modify the at least one processing rule; wherein said call management computer includes means for identifying a call type for the incoming call; wherein said call management computer includes means for identifying the calling party; and
;wherein said at least one processing rule is selected based on at least one of the call type and the calling party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
-
Specification