System and method for dynamically routing communications

• US 7,203,294 B2
• Filed: 08/06/2002
• Issued: 04/10/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/06/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Nortz, Douglas M., Carnazza, James M., Guha, Arun, Sharples, Russell P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier; Gerald
• Application Number:
  US10/212,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20040028208A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,708 Days
• Field of Search: 379/142.07, 379/178, 379/211.01, 379/265.11, 379/88.23, 379/142.01, 379/201.02
• US Class Current: 379/142.07
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for routing an incoming call to a subscriber-selected destination number in accordance with dynamic data concerning the subscriber provided by an address book, a calendar and a presence server. A routing system routes the incoming call in accordance with a subscriber-defined routing rule associated with the originating number of the incoming call, as determined from the address book. The routing rule may specify that the incoming call be routed to a destination number associated with the current date and time, as indicated by the calendar. The routing rule may specify, alternatively or in addition thereto, that the incoming call be routed to a destination number associated with a presence-enabled service on which the subscriber is currently active. The subscriber or caller may also be alternatively notified of the routing of the incoming call.

Claims

1. A method for selectively forwarding an incoming call over the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the method comprising;

receiving the incoming call;

identifying the incoming call by originating number, wherein identifying comprises determining whether the originating number is associated with a subscriber-defined group;

retrieving a subscriber-defined routing rule associated with the originating number of the incoming call, wherein the subscriber-defined routing rule is based on said subscriber-defined group; and

routing the call over the PSTN according to subscriber-defined information including the subscriber-defined routing rule, wherein the subscriber-defined routing rule comprises a routing instruction selected from the group consisting of;

route the incoming call to a called number,

route the incoming call according to subscriber calendar information,

route the incoming call according to subscriber presence information,

route the incoming call to a voicemail system,

route the incoming call to a messaging system,

forward a message to a calling party,

forward a notification to the subscriber, and

disconnect the incoming call.

2. A system for selectively forwarding an incoming call, the system comprising:

a receiver operative to receive the incoming call;

a database comprising subscriber-defined information including at least one contact number and at least one routing rule associated with the at least one contact number;

a search unit for determining from the database a first routing rule corresponding to an originating number of the incoming call, wherein the first routing rule is based on a subscriber-defined group associated with the originating number of the incoming call; and

a routing unit for routing the incoming call via the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) according to the first routing rule, wherein the first routing rule comprises a routing instruction selected from the group consisting of;

route the incoming call to a called number,

route the incoming call according to subscriber calendar information,

route the incoming call according to subscriber presence information,

route the incoming call to a voicemail system,

route the incoming call to a messaging system,

forward a message to a calling party,

forward a notification to the subscriber, and

disconnect the incoming call.