Methods and systems for touch-free call handling
First Claim
1. A method of handling incoming calls destined for a called party, the called party being associated with a communication device, said method being implemented by a network entity connected to the communication device via a communications network, said method comprising:
- detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party;
attempting to reach the called party by sending a signal to the communication device over the communications network to cause the communication device to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party;
receiving a signal from the communication device; and
at the network entity, determining, based on the signal received from the communication device, whether a spoken call handling command has been uttered at the communication device before the call being answered by the called party.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for handling incoming calls destined for a called party. The method comprises detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party and attempting to reach the called party by causing a communication device associated with the called party to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party. This allows the called party not only to recognize the calling party, but also to decide whether to accept, reject or forward the incoming call without having to physically manipulate the communication device. The network-based example of implementation is compatible with many existing communication devices and has the ability to query the calling party for identification information, whereas the communication device-based example of implementation is compatible with many existing network architectures, and does not require the called party to subscribe to any particular network service.
21 Citations
70 Claims
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1. A method of handling incoming calls destined for a called party, the called party being associated with a communication device, said method being implemented by a network entity connected to the communication device via a communications network, said method comprising:
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detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party; attempting to reach the called party by sending a signal to the communication device over the communications network to cause the communication device to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party; receiving a signal from the communication device; and at the network entity, determining, based on the signal received from the communication device, whether a spoken call handling command has been uttered at the communication device before the call being answered by the called party. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing a program element for execution by a functional unit of a network entity to enable handling incoming calls destined for a called party, the called party being associated with a communication device, the network entity being connected to the communication device via a communications network, the program element including:
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program code means for detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party; program code means for attempting to reach the called party by sending a signal to the communication device over the communications network to cause the communication device to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party; program code means for receiving a signal from the communication device; and program code means for determining, at the network entity, based on the signal received from the communication device, whether a spoken call handling command has been uttered at the communication device before the call being answered by the called party.
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27. Apparatus for communication with a communication device associated with a called party via a communications network, the apparatus comprising:
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a controller adapted for detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party; and a voice-activated call handling functional unit adapted for; attempting to reach the called party by sending a signal to the communication device over the communications network to cause the communication device to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party; receiving a signal from the communication device; and determining, based on the signal received from the communication device, whether a spoken call handling command has been uttered at the communication device before the call being answered by the called party. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. Network apparatus for touch-free incoming call handling by users of communication devices, the network apparatus comprising:
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a) a switching/routing entity configured to communicate with the communication devices over a communications network; and b) a controller configured to; detect an incoming call destined for a particular one of the communication devices that is associated with a particular one of the users; attempt to reach the particular user by sending a signal to the communication device over the communications network to cause the particular communication device to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the particular user; receive a signal from the particular communication device; determine, based on the signal received from the particular communication device, whether a spoken call handling command has been uttered at the particular communication device before the call being answered by the called party; and upon determining that a spoken call handling command has been uttered, handle the incoming call in accordance with the spoken call handling command. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69)
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70. A method of handling incoming calls destined for a called party, the called party being associated with a communication device, said method being implemented by a network entity connected to the communication device via a communications network, said method comprising:
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detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party; attempting to reach the called party by causing the communication device to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party; receiving a signal from the communication device; at the network entity, determining, based on the signal received from the communication device, whether a spoken call handling command has been uttered at the communication device before the call being answered by the called party; and determining whether the called party subscribes to a service that enables calls to be handled by the called party in a touch-free manner.
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Specification