System and method for implementing and accessing call forwarding services

• US 7,346,155 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2007
• Issued: 03/18/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gibson, Elizabeth Goldwyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Hong; Harry S.
• Application Number:
  US11/737,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20070286391A1
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 37920101-20104, 379/201.12, 379/211.02, 379/211.03, 379/211.04, 715/700, 715/760, 715/764, 715/780
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/203 composed of PSTN and data network, e.g. the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42161 via computer interface
• 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: H04Q 3/0029 Provisions for intelligent networking

Abstract

A web server implements a call service, including call service data corresponding to a directory number of a user. The web server includes a first interface for communicating with a call processor that processes telephone calls in a telecommunications network. The processor communicates with a database that includes the call service data. The web server further includes a second interface for communicating with the user'"'"'s computer via a packet switching network, the user computer including a display for displaying activation fields, which include a first activation indicator corresponding to the call service and a second activation indicator corresponding to a first feature of the call service. Each of the activation indicators enables selection of one of an ON and an OFF condition.

Claims

1. A computer readable medium storing a program, executable by a computer to interface with a call service associated with calls involving at least one directory number of a user, the call service utilizing call service data comprising the at least one directory number, the method comprising:

a transmitting code segment configured to transmit the call service data from a call service server through a packet switching network;

a displaying code segment configured to cause a plurality of activation fields to be displayed to the user, the plurality of activation fields comprising a first activation indicator corresponding to the call service and a second activation indicator corresponding to a first feature of the call service;

a receiving code segment configured to receive selection data entered by the user in response to the display, the selection data indicating one of an ON condition and an OFF condition corresponding to each of the plurality of activation fields; and

an activating code segment configured to activate the call service in response to an ON condition corresponding to the first activation indicator to implement associated call service functionality.

2. The computer readable medium of claim 1, wherein the activating code segment is further configured to activate the first feature of the call service in response to an ON condition corresponding to the second activation indicator, cause the associated call service functionality to be implemented subject to the first feature of the call service.

3. The computer readable medium of claim 2, wherein the first feature of the call service comprises a screening list comprising at least one screened directory number.

4. The computer readable medium of claim 3, wherein calls to or from the at least one screened directory number are processed differently from calls to or from directory numbers not on the screening list when the first feature is activated.

5. The computer readable medium of claim 2, wherein the first feature of the call service comprises a schedule.

6. The computer readable medium of claim 5, wherein the schedule comprises at least one activation period.

7. The computer readable medium of claim 6, wherein activating the schedule causes the call service functionality to be implemented only during the at least one activation period.

8. A web server for implementing a call service, the call service including call service data corresponding to a directory number of the user, the web server comprising:

a first interface for communicating with a call processor that processes telephone calls in a telecommunications network, the call processor being configured to communicate with a database comprising the call service data; and

a second interface for communicating with a computer of a user via a packet switching network, the user computer comprising a display that displays a plurality of activation fields, the activation fields comprising a first activation indicator corresponding to the call service and a second activation indicator corresponding to a first feature of the call service, each of the activation indicators enabling selection of one of an ON and an OFF condition.

9. The web server of claim 8, wherein the first feature of the call service comprises a screening list, including at least one screened number.

10. The web server of claim 9, wherein the screening list is activated in response to an ON condition corresponding to the second activation indicator.

11. The web server of claim 10, wherein calls to or from the at least one screened number are processed differently from calls to or from directory numbers not on the screening list.

12. The web server of claim 8, wherein the first feature of the call service comprises a schedule having at least one activation period.

13. The web server of claim 12, wherein the schedule is activated in response to an ON condition corresponding to the second activation indicator.

14. The web server of claim 13, wherein activating the schedule enables the call service functionality only during the at least one activation period.

15. A computer readable medium storing a program, executable by a computer to interface with a call forwarding service that forwards calls placed to a number of a user to a forward-to number, and that includes call forwarding service data, the computer readable medium comprising:

a displaying code segment configured to cause a forward-to number field and a plurality of activation fields to be displayed, a, first activation field comprising a first activation indicator corresponding to the call forwarding service and a second activation field comprising a second activation indicator corresponding to at least one feature of the call forwarding service;

a receiving code segment configured to receive forward-to number data and selection data through the packet switching network from the user, the forward-to number data indicating the forward-to number entered in the forward-to number field, and the selection data indicating one of an ON condition and an OFF condition corresponding to the at least one activation field; and

an activating code segment configured to activate the call forwarding service in response to an ON condition corresponding to the first activation indicator in order to implement call forwarding functionality, subject to the at least one feature of the call forwarding service, to forward calls to the forward-to number.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the at least one feature of the call forwarding service comprises a screening list, indicating at least one directory number.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 16, wherein activation of the screening list, in response to an ON condition corresponding to the second activation indicator, causes only calls from the at least one directory number to be forwarded to the forward-to number.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein the at least one feature of the call forwarding service comprises a schedule, indicating at least one activation period.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 18, wherein the schedule comprises a weekly schedule.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, wherein activation of the weekly schedule, in response to an ON condition corresponding to the second activation indicator, causes the call forwarding functionality to be implemented only during the at least one activation period.