Implementing feature interactions between an AIN-based service and a switch-based forwarding service

• US 7,519,172 B2
• Filed: 02/16/2001
• Issued: 04/14/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.), Qwest Communications International, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bruening, Gregory, Roman, Marcus, Gillespie, Don
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz; Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le; Karen L
• Application Number:
  US09/785,864
• Publication Number:
  US 20020168061A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,979 Days
• Field of Search: 379/211.02, 379/221.08, 379/221.09, 379/221.1, 379/221.12, 379/221.14
• US Class Current: 379/221.12
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/12 intelligent networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4217 Managing service interactions
• 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 3/0041 involving techniques for avoiding interaction of call service features

Abstract

The present invention provides a method and system for implementing feature interactions between an AIN-based service and a switch-based call-forwarding service. In the present invention, the switch-based call-forwarding generates an Off-Hook Delay (OHD) trigger. In response, the SSP suspends call processing and sends the forward-to number to the SCP. Based upon the SCP'"'"'s determination of whether the forward-to number is for voicemail and other criteria such as time of day, day of the week, etc, the SCP determines whether the switch-based call-forward should be permitted or inhibited.

Claims

1. A method for routing calls comprising:

at a service switching point associated with a subscriber line having switched-based call forwarding to voicemail associated therewith and having a specific digit string associated therewith, detecting an Off-Hook Delay trigger, wherein the Off-Hook Delay trigger includes a forward-to number;

suspending call processing to the forward-to number;

sending an infocollected message to a service control point associated with an Advanced Intelligent Network, wherein the infocollected message includes the specific digit string and the forward-to number;

comparing the forward-to number to a voicemail number associated with the subscriber line; and

based on the comparison determining whether to resume call processing to the forward-to number.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the forward to number to a voicemail number associated with the subscriber line includes evaluating criteria to determine whether to forward the call to another number.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the criteria comprises a time of day.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising thereafter, forwarding the number to a business line associated with the subscriber line, a wireless line associated with the subscriber line, or a voicemail line associated with the subscriber line.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the criteria comprises a day of the week.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising thereafter, forwarding the number to a business line associated with the subscriber line, a wireless line associated with the subscriber line, or a voicemail line associated with the subscriber line.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein comparing the forward-to number to a voicemail number associated with the subscriber line includes determining whether to forward the call to multiple other numbers.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising, forwarding the call to multiple other numbers.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising, forwarding the call to the voicemail number.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the switched-based call forwarding to voicemail comprises:

call-forward on busy; and

call-forward on no answer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the forward-to number comprises a telephone number for a different subscriber line.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the forward-to number comprises a telephone number for a voicemail box.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the Off-Hook Delay trigger is generated by calls from the subscriber line.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein calls from the subscriber line comprise switched-based forwarding calls from the subscriber line.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein calls from the subscriber line comprise calls forwarded to a voicemail box.

16. A system for routing calls comprising:

a service switching point associated with a subscriber line having switched-based call forwarding to voicemail associated therewith and having a specific digit string associated therewith; and

a service control point in communication with the service switching point;

wherein the service switching point is configured to;

detect an Off-Hook Delay trigger, wherein the Off-Hook Delay trigger includes a forward-to number;

suspend call processing to the forward-to number; and

send an infocollected message to a service control point associated with an Advanced Intelligent Network, wherein the infocollected message includes the specific digit string and the forward-to number; and

wherein the service control point is configured to compare the forward-to number to a voicemail number associated with the subscriber line and determine whether to resume call processing to the forward-to number.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the Off-Hook Delay trigger is generated by calls from the subscriber line.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein calls form the subscriber line comprise switched-based forwarding calls from the subscriber line.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein calls from the subscriber line comprise calls forwarded to a voicemail box.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the switched-based call forwarding to voicemail comprise:

call-forward on busy; and

call-forward on no answer.