Call programming apparatus and method

• US 7,254,225 B2
• Filed: 06/20/2006
• Issued: 08/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Original Assignee: SBC Properties, L.P.
• Inventors: Ekstrom, Gayle Roberta, Marcus, Gisele Arlette, Schwab, Eileen Cecilia, Ossello, Edward Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong; Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US11/472,005
• Publication Number:
  US 20060239433A1
• Time in Patent Office: 413 Days
• Field of Search: 379/201.01, 379/201.02, 379/207.02, 37921101-21104, 379/216.01, 379/221.01, 379/913, 455/461
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2005 Temporarily overriding a service configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• 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 3/46 Arrangements for calling a number of substations in a predetermined sequence until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53308 Message originator indirectly connected to the message centre, e.g. after detection of busy or absent state of a called party
• 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 379/913 Person locator or person-specific

Abstract

A method of routing incoming telephone calls and programming routing options and apparatus that allows incoming calls to be routed according to various criteria programmed by a subscriber.

Claims

1. A call programming method for establishing a customer profile for processing subsequently received calls to a subscriber, the method comprising:

in response to subscriber key entry;

entering one of

a one number programming routine,

a sequential number programming routine, and

a simultaneous number programming routine;

entering a key collection routine;

receiving subscriber entries defining the processing of subsequently received calls to the subscriber to establish the customer profile; and

storing the customer profile for subsequent access when processing calls for the subscriber.

2. The call programming method of claim 1 wherein entering a one number programming routine comprises:

prompting the subscriber to enter a call forwarding number;

receiving the call forwarding number; and

storing the call forwarding number for subsequent access when processing calls for the subscriber.

3. The call programming method of claim 2 further comprising:

prompting for one or more time periods when subscriber calls should be forwarded to the call forwarding number; and

receiving information defining the one or more time periods.

4. The call programming method of claim 3 wherein receiving information defining the one or more time periods comprises:

providing a default period start time for each period;

receiving information defining a period start time for each time period; and

receiving information defining a period end time for each period.

5. The call programming method of claim 1 wherein entering a sequential number programming routine comprises:

prompting for a first sequential call forwarding number for a time period;

receiving information defining the first sequential call forwarding number;

prompting the subscriber to enter another sequential call forwarding number; and

prompting the subscriber to enter additional sequential call forwarding numbers until all sequential call forwarding numbers have been entered.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein entering the sequential number programming routine further comprises:

prompting for information defining one or more time periods when subscriber calls should be forwarded according to the sequential number programming routine; and

receiving the information defining the one or more time periods.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein entering a simultaneous number programming routine comprises:

prompting the subscriber for a first simultaneous call forwarding number for a time period;

entering a key collection routine;

receiving information defining the first simultaneous call forwarding number;

prompting the subscriber to enter another simultaneous call forwarding number; and

prompting the subscriber to enter additional simultaneous call forwarding numbers until all simultaneous call forwarding numbers have been entered.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein entering the simultaneous number programming routine further comprises:

prompting for information defining one or more time periods when subscriber calls should be forwarded according to the simultaneous number programming routine; and

receiving the information defining the one or more time periods.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

prompting the subscriber to enter a schedule override routine; and

receiving information selecting the schedule override routine.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

if the schedule override routine is selected, prompting the subscriber to enter an override call forwarding number; and

receiving information defining the override call forwarding number.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

repeating the override call forwarding number to the subscriber; and

receiving verification information for the override call forwarding number.