Electronic communications device status determination
First Claim
1. A method of alerting a communications sender of the status of a receiving wireless electronic device, comprising:
- receiving a transmission at a wireless network directed to the receiving wireless electronic device, the transmission comprising at least one of a telephone call and a data message from the communications sender directed to a party associated with the receiving wireless electronic device;
determining the operational status of the receiving wireless electronic device; and
if the receiving wireless electronic device is not capable of receiving and processing the transmission directed to the receiving wireless electronic device, returning a signal to a sending communication device from which the transmission is emitted to alert a user of the sending communication device that the receiving wireless electronic device is not capable of receiving and processing the transmission.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for alerting a calling or message sending party as to whether a desired receiving wireless electronic communication device is off or out of range for sending and receiving transmissions. When a call is placed to a wireless telephone or when a message or page is placed to a wireless communication device such as a pager, text messaging device, or personal digital assistant, the operational status of the receiving wireless telephone or other wireless communication device is checked by the wireless network in which the wireless device operates. A message or call is returned to the calling party or sender to alert the calling party or sender if the desired receiving device is off or out of range so that the calling party or message sending party may choose an alternate means of communicating with the desired receiving party.
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Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method of alerting a communications sender of the status of a receiving wireless electronic device, comprising:
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receiving a transmission at a wireless network directed to the receiving wireless electronic device, the transmission comprising at least one of a telephone call and a data message from the communications sender directed to a party associated with the receiving wireless electronic device; determining the operational status of the receiving wireless electronic device; and if the receiving wireless electronic device is not capable of receiving and processing the transmission directed to the receiving wireless electronic device, returning a signal to a sending communication device from which the transmission is emitted to alert a user of the sending communication device that the receiving wireless electronic device is not capable of receiving and processing the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system for alerting a communications sender of the status of a receiving wireless electronic device, comprising:
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a wireless network operative to receive a transmission directed to the receiving wireless electronic device; to determine the operational status of the receiving wireless electronic device, wherein determining the operational status of the receiving wireless electronic device comprises periodically signaling the wireless electronic device; and to return a signal to a sending communication device from which the transmission is emitted to alert a user of the sending communication device that the receiving wireless electronic device is not capable of receiving and processing the transmission, if the receiving wireless electronic device is not capable of receiving and processing the transmission directed to the receiving wireless electronic device. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A method of alerting a communications sender of the status of a receiving wireless electronic device, comprising:
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receiving a transmission at a wireless network directed to the receiving wireless electronic device; signaling the receiving wireless electronic device from the wireless network to determine the operational status of the receiving wireless electronic device, wherein determining the operational status of the receiving wireless electronic device comprises periodically signaling the wireless electronic device; registering the operational status of the receiving wireless electronic device with the wireless network; and if the receiving wireless electronic device is off or out of transmission range, returning a signal to a sending communication device from which the transmission is emitted to alert a user of the sending communication device that the receiving wireless electronic device is not capable of receiving and processing the transmission. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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Specification