System and method for managing communications

• US 7,266,190 B1
• Filed: 03/29/2002
• Issued: 09/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Simpson, Anita Hogans, Mullis, Karen
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang; Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): SING, SIMON P
• Application Number:
  US10/108,347
• Time in Patent Office: 1,985 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.19, 379/88.2, 379/88.21, 379/88.22, 379/201.01, 379/201.02, 379/207.13, 379/208.01, 379/211.01, 379/211.02, 379/215.01, 379/210.02, 379/93.17
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2005 Temporarily overriding a service configuration
• 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 3/53308 Message originator indirectly connected to the message centre, e.g. after detection of busy or absent state of a called party

Abstract

A communications network-based system and service is disclosed. The service permits subscribers to control and manage incoming telephone calls. Subscribers can establish preferences and set encumbrances. The service also connects calls to a called party otherwise prevented from receiving calls due to line encumbrances, permitting preselected or predesignated parties to by-pass line encumbrances.

Claims

1. A method for establishing preferences for a communications service and for providing the communications service comprising the steps of:

receiving identifying data from a probable subscriber of a service through computer interface system;

determining if the probable subscriber is a valid subscriber by comparing the identifying data to an identifying-data record;

if the probable subscriber is a valid subscriber, sending stored and default information to the subscriber through the computer interface system, wherein the stored and default information is displayed to the subscriber on a graphical user interface (GUI) executing on a computer and comprises at least encumbered-line bypass list data, forwarding numbers, an on/off setting for the entire communications service and links to one or more other available services, wherein further the encumbered-line bypass list data comprises bypass times for one or more phone numbers and one or more pass-codes;

receiving a second item of information from the subscriber through the computer interface system, wherein the second item of information is related to a calling party that has been preselected to by-pass an encumbered line; and

storing the second item of information in a database accessible by a communications network thereby updating the stored and default information.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of sending at least one call marker, relating to at least one telephone call made from the subscriber, to the subscriber by the computer interface system.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the call markers include a phone number of a party called by the subscriber.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the call marker includes a caller identification of a party that called the subscriber.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the call marker includes a timestamp related to a time a party was called by the subscriber.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of sending default information to the subscriber through the computer interface system further comprises the step of sending one or more phone numbers or pass-codes stored in an encumbered-line bypass list to the subscriber through the computer interface system.

7. A method for receiving encumbered-line bypass list information through an IVR system, comprising the steps of:

receiving identifying data from a probable subscriber of a service through an IVR system;

determining if the probable subscriber is a valid subscriber by comparing the identifying data to an identifying-data record;

providing an option choice to the subscriber comprising toggling the service between on and off, setting a schedule for the service, setting an encumbered-line bypass list and selecting a forwarding number;

if setting a schedule for the service is selected, then playing the schedule to the subscriber through the IVR system, wherein the subscriber sets a time of day during which encumbrance-line bypass list is enabled;

if setting an encumbered-line bypass list is selected, then playing information in the encumbered-line bypass list to the subscriber through the IVR system;

receiving modifications to the encumbered-line bypass list information from the subscriber through the IVR system; and

storing the modified encumbered-line bypass list information in a database accessible by a communications network.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the encumbered-line bypass list information is related to at least one calling party preselected by the subscriber to bypass an encumbrance on the subscriber'"'"'s line.

9. A method of connecting a calling party with a called party comprising the steps of:

receiving a call from a calling party over a telecommunications system which includes a database containing subscriber information, wherein the subscriber information includes an encumbered-line bypass list of phone numbers;

determining that a line associated with the called party is encumbered;

communicating one or more identifiers related to the calling party to the called party where the identifiers are presented to the called party and wherein further the identifiers include the calling party'"'"'s phone number, the calling party'"'"'s name, the time the calling party called, pass-code and any additional information input by the calling party including audible input;

querying the database for the called party'"'"'s call reception status, wherein if the call reception status is a restricted status then the call is connected to a third party and if the call receptions status is not a restricted status then the call is placed to the called party, wherein the method further comprises determining whether an instruction is received from the called party to set the call reception status to a restricted status after the one or more identifiers are received by the called party;

if the call reception status is set to a restricted status, comparing one or more identifiers of the calling party with the encumbered-line bypass list of phone numbers; and

if one of the identifier(s) of the calling party matches an identifier in the encumbered-line bypass list, then connecting the calling party to the called party by bypassing the encumbrance unless the called party has prevented the call from bypassing a restricted status by imposing a restriction on all calls based on time of day.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of:

contacting the called party to determine if the called party wishes to receive a call from the calling party; and

receiving, from the called party, an assent for the communications network to connect the calling party to the called party.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of contacting the called party to determine if the called party wishes to receive the call of the calling party is in the form of a text-based message.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of receiving, from the called party, an assent for the communications network to connect the calling party to the called party is received as a text-based response to the text-based message.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the communications network first disconnects the called party from a third party prior to connecting the calling party to the called party.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of contacting the called party to determine if the called party wishes the communications network to connect the calling party to the called party is performed by the communications network through an audible message.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of receiving from the called party an assent for the communications network to connect the calling party to the called party is received by the communications network through an audible response.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the called party is permitted to change the encumbered-line bypass list by calling a number and communicating with the communications network by communicating with an interactive voice response system to modify the encumbered-line bypass list.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the called party is permitted to change the encumbered-line bypass list by communicating with an interface system to modify the encumbered-line bypass list.

18. A method of directing a call comprising the steps of:

receiving a call from a calling party;

determining the identity of a called party;

communicating one or more identifiers related to the calling party to the called party where the identifiers are presented to the called party and wherein further the identifiers include the calling party'"'"'s phone number, the calling party'"'"'s name, the time the calling party called, pass-code and any additional information input by the called party including audible input;

comparing one or more identifiers of the calling party with information received from the called party;

querying the database for the called party'"'"'s call reception status, wherein if the call reception status is a restricted status then the call is connected to a third party and if the call receptions status is not a restricted status then the call is placed to the called party, wherein the method further comprises determining whether the called party has set the call reception status to a restricted status after the one or more identifiers are received by the called party; and

connecting the call to the called party if one of the identifier(s) corresponds to the information received from the called party, unless the called party has prevented the call from bypassing a restricted status by imposing a restriction on all calls based on time of day, and connecting the call to a third party if none of the identifier(s) corresponds to the information received from the called party.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the identifier(s) are associated with the calling party.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein one of the identifier(s) is the phone number from which the calling party called and the information received from the called party comprises an encumbered-line bypass list.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein one of the identifier(s) is communicated to the communications network as part of the call.

22. The method of claim 18, wherein one of the identifier(s) is received from the calling party.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein one of the identifier(s) is a pass-code and the information comprises one or more pass-codes on an encumbered-line bypass list.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the third party plays an automated announcement to the calling party.