Enhanced call notification service

• US 7,881,449 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2004
• Issued: 02/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Karam, Gerald M., Goguen, Healfdene H., Henderson, Donnie, Hanson, Karrie J., Bond, Gregory W., Zave, Pamela
• Primary Examiner(s): Anwah; Olisa
• Application Number:
  US10/953,905
• Publication Number:
  US 20050069097A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,316 Days
• Field of Search: 379/164, 379177-185, 379196-200, 37921103-21105, 379/211.02, 379/211.01, 379/88.03, 379/201.02
• US Class Current: 379/211.02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/6045 Identity confirmation
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• 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 3/42161 via computer interface
• 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 3/487 Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53383 Message registering commands or announcements; Greetings

Abstract

The present invention provides a system and a method for providing notification of an incoming call from the calling party to the called party. The method includes receiving a request to connect the call from the calling party to plurality of end devices of the called party. A profile information associated with the called party is retrieved. The profile information includes data on plurality of the end devices provisioned to be alerted upon connection of the incoming call and on instructions for alerting the end devices in a specific sequence. Additionally, the end devices of the incoming call are alerted in accordance with the specific sequence which would be either parallel ringing order or sequential ringing order.

Claims

1. A method for providing notification of at least one incoming call from at least one calling party to at least one called party, the method comprising:

receiving a request to transmit the incoming call from the calling party to a plurality of end devices of the called party;

retrieving profile information associated with the called party from a single system, wherein said profile information includes data on the plurality of the end devices provisioned to be alerted upon transmission of the incoming call, and on instructions self-provisioned by the called party for alerting the end devices in a specific sequence set-up by the called party; and

alerting said end devices of the incoming call in said specific sequence, wherein said specific sequence includes a parallel ringing order, a sequential ringing order, and combinations thereof, wherein said plurality of the end devices of the called party are assigned with a same phone number.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

prompting the called party to confirm acceptance of the call upon answering of the call by one of the said end devices.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

transmitting the call from the calling party to said one of the said end devices of the called party upon acceptance of the call.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

ceasing the step of alerting the end devices upon acceptance of the call by said one of the said end devices of the called party.

5. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

continuing the alerting step if the called party failed to confirm acceptance of the call at said one of the said end devices.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the prompting step includes:

playing an announcement to the called party with instructions on confirming the acceptance of the call.

7. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

prompting the calling party to leave a voice mail message if none of the end devices confirm acceptance of the call.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

providing the called party self-provisioning features to access and edit the profile information, retrieve the voice mail messages, return calls to the calling parties, active or de-active a locate me service, call a speed dial number, and combinations thereof.

9. A method for providing notification of at least one incoming call from at least one calling party to at least one called party, the method comprising:

receiving a request to transmit the incoming call from the calling party to a plurality of end devices of the called party, wherein said plurality of the end devices are assigned with same phone number;

retrieving profile information associated with the called party from a single system, wherein said profile information includes data on the plurality of the end devices provisioned to be alerted upon transmission of the incoming call and on instructions self-provisioned by the called party for alerting the end devices in a sequential ringing order set-up by the called party; and

alerting the said end devices of the incoming call in said sequential ringing order.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising:

prompting the called party to confirm acceptance of the call within a time frame, wherein said called party is prompted upon answering of the call by one of the said end devices.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

transmitting the call from the calling party to said one of the said end devices of the called party upon acceptance of the call within said time frame.

12. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

ceasing the step of alerting the end devices upon acceptance of the call within said time frame by said one of the said end devices of the called party.

13. The method of claim 10 further comprising:

continuing the alerting step if the called party failed to confirm acceptance of the call within said time frame by said one of the said end devices.