System and method for hold and re-ring

• US 8,428,242 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Issued: 04/23/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Emerson, David, Rondeau, David E.
• Primary Examiner(s): ADDY, THJUAN KNOWLIN
• Application Number:
  US12/004,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20090161855A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,951 Days
• Field of Search: 455/415, 455/519, 370/352, 370/259, 370/389, 379/311.02, 379/211.04, 379/212.01, 379/211.01, 379/211.03, 379/209.01, 379/207.09, 379/207.11, 379/207.04, 379/207.08, 379/201.01
• US Class Current: 379/212.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/20 hybrid systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/465 Arrangements for simultaneously calling a number of substations until an answer is obtained
• 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

Abstract

A system and method for transferring calls. A voice communication is received. The voice communication is placed on hold in response to receiving user input. Multiple phones are rung simultaneously in response to receiving the user input. The voice communication is connected to one of the multiple phones in response to a user answering the voice communication on one of the multiple phones.

Claims

1. A method for transferring calls, the method comprising:

receiving notification preferences;

receiving a plurality of access lists and a plurality of command codes wherein one command code is associated with each access list;

receiving a voice communication;

placing the voice communication on hold in response to user input of a selected command code;

ringing a plurality of phones associated with the access list associated with the selected command code simultaneously; and

connecting the voice communication to one of the plurality of phones in response to a user answering the voice communication on the one of the plurality of phones.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of command codes comprise distinct key sequences.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of phones are phone numbers associated with voice communication devices or voice communication services.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of access lists are pre-set by the user.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the notification preferences set a sequence in which the plurality of phones are individually called.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the access lists and command codes are specified by the user utilizing a graphical user interface.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

automatically sending a message to one or more recipients in response to the holding.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ringing further comprises:

delaying a time period before ringing the plurality of phones simultaneously, wherein the timer period is established by the user.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ringing further comprises:

ringing the plurality of phones simultaneously a number of times;

canceling the ringing once the phones ring the number of times for preventing a answering service from connecting to the voice communication;

re-ringing the plurality of phones simultaneously the number of times until one of the plurality of phones is answered in response to the canceling the ringing.

10. The method according to claim 7, further comprising:

playing a pre-programmed message to a calling party in response to the holding.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the message indicates to the one or more recipients whether to answer or not answer the plurality of phones.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the message is an email or text message, and wherein the message indicates the voice communication is being transferred to the plurality of phones.

13. A communication system, the system comprising:

a switch configured to receive a voice communication, wherein the switch further includes;

a transfer unit configured to;

receive notification preferences;

receive a plurality of access lists and a plurality of command codes wherein one command code is associated with each access list;

receive a voice communication;

place the voice communication on hold in response to user input of a selected command code;

ring a plurality of phones associated with the access list associated with the selected command code simultaneously; and

connect the voice communication to one of the plurality of phones in response to a user answering the voice communication on the one of the plurality of phones.

14. The communication system according to claim 13, further comprising:

a user interface for receiving the access lists and the notification preferences from the user, wherein the notification preferences specify a delay before the plurality of phones are rang.

15. The communication system according to claim 13, wherein the transfer unit rings the plurality of phones simultaneously a number of times, cancels the ringing once the phones ring the number of times for preventing a answering service from connecting to the voice communication, and re-rings the plurality of phones simultaneously in response to the canceling the ringing and according to the notification preferences.

16. The communication system according to claim 14, wherein the notification preferences specify an order for ringing the plurality of phones and a message that is sent to one or more recipients in response to placing the voice communication on hold.

17. A call transfer system comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions; and

a memory for storing the set of instructions, wherein the set of instructions are configured to

receive notification preferences

receive a plurality of access lists and a plurality of command codes wherein one command code is associated with each access list;

receive a voice communication,

placing the voice communication on hold in response to user input of a selected command code;

ring the plurality of phones associated with the access list associated with the selected command code simultaneously; and

connect the voice communication to one of the plurality of phones in response to a user answering the voice communication on the one of the plurality of phones.

18. The call transfer system according to claim 17, wherein the set of instructions delay ringing the plurality of phones for a time period specified by the user.

19. The call transfer system according to claim 17, wherein the plurality of phones are rang one at a time for a specified number of rings in an order specified by the user to prevent an answering system from connection to the voice communication.

20. The call transfer system according to claim 17, wherein the set of instructions ring the plurality of phones simultaneously a number of times, cancels the ringing once the phones ring the number of times for preventing a answering service from connecting to the voice communication, and re-rings the plurality of phones simultaneously in response to the canceling the ringing and according to the notification preferences.