Cellphone extensions

• US 8,160,558 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2008
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sonus Networks Incorporated (Ribbon Communications, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Michael J Ure
• Inventors: Ure, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHEDRICK, CHARLES TERRELL
• Application Number:
  US12/029,578
• Publication Number:
  US 20090203362A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,526 Days
• Field of Search: 455/415, 455/567
• US Class Current: 455/415
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/642 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/527 Centralised call answering arrangements not requiring operator intervention

Abstract

Extensions are provided for mobile electronic devices including cellphones, wherein different extensions may correspond to different communication contexts. In an exemplary embodiment, a call is answered using an automated answering system. The caller is requested to enter an extension number. In response to the extension number, a call alert (such as a ring tone) unique to that extension is activated.

Claims

1. A method of calling a handheld mobile electronic device, comprising the handheld mobile electronic device:

automatically answering a call;

prompting a caller to enter an extension number, the extension number being communicated to the handheld mobile electronic device; and

in response to the extension number, producing a distinctive call alert to a user of the handheld mobile electronic device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the handheld mobile electronic device is a cellular telephone.

2. A handheld mobile electronic device, comprising:

means for automatically answering a call;

means for prompting a caller to enter an extension number, the extension number being communicated to the handheld mobile electronic device; and

means for, in response to the extension number, producing a distinctive call alert to a user of the handheld mobile electronic device.

9. The handheld mobile electronic device of claim 2, wherein the handheld mobile electronic device is a cellular telephone.

3. A handheld mobile electronic device, comprising:

circuitry for automatically answering a call;

circuitry for prompting a caller to enter an extension number, the extension number being communicated to the handheld mobile electronic device; and

circuitry for, in response to the extension number, producing a distinctive call alert to a user of the handheld mobile electronic device.

10. The handheld mobile electronic device of claim 3, wherein the handheld mobile electronic device is a cellular telephone.

4. A method of providing extensions to a handheld mobile electronic device for receiving different types of calls, comprising:

the handheld mobile electronic device receiving a call;

the handheld mobile electronic device automatically answering the call and prompting a

caller to enter an extension;

detecting the entered extension; and

performing call annunciation in a manner that distinguishes which extension has been entered.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the handheld mobile electronic device is a cellular telephone.

5. A handheld mobile electronic device that provides extensions for receiving different types of calls, comprising:

means for the handheld mobile electronic device receiving a call;

means for the handheld mobile electronic device automatically answering the call and

prompting a caller to enter an extension;

means for detecting the entered extension; and

means for performing call annunciation in a manner that distinguishes which extension has been entered.

7. The handheld mobile electronic device of claim 5, wherein the handheld mobile electronic device is a cellular telephone.