Remote call control

• US 9,288,329 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2014
• Issued: 03/15/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Freeus, LLC
• Original Assignee: Freeus, LLC
• Inventors: Newton, Chris, Muldoon, Peter, Gern, Justin
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Mahendra
• Application Number:
  US14/341,465
• Publication Number:
  US 20150038104A1
• Time in Patent Office: 599 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/5018 Initiating a conference during a two-party conversation, i.e. three-party-service or three-way-call computer conference organisation arrangements H04L12/1818
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/04 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5116 for emergency applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

A communications device comprises a processor, a memory device coupled to processor, one or more wireless transmitters, one or more wireless receivers, an output component, and an input component. The memory device includes executable instructions to enable the processor to perform the following steps: initiate a call with a first remote device; receive, from the first remote device, an indication of a phone number that is programmed in the communications device; initiate a call with a second remote device associated with the phone number that is programmed in the communications device; and cause the communications device, the first remote device, and the second remote device to be placed into a conference call, or to place the first remote device on hold while the communications device provides information to the second remote device. The communications device may be configured as an emergency pendant device, mobile phone, or any kind of communication device that can detect a signal to trigger either the sequence to conference call or place on hold and make a second call.

Claims

1. A communications device, comprising:

a processor, a memory device coupled to the processor, one or more wireless transmitters, one or more wireless receivers, an output component, and an input component;

wherein the memory device includes executable instructions and a plurality of stored phone numbers, including 911, to enable the processor to perform the following steps;

initiate a call with a first remote device;

receive, from the first remote device, an indication of a phone number that is programmed in the communications device;

determine whether or not the phone number is 911;

if the phone number is 911, then initiate a 911 call with the first remote device on hold; and

if the phone number is not 911, then initiate a call with a second remote device associated with the phone number that is programmed in the communications device, and cause the communications device, the first remote device, and the second remote device to be placed into a conference call;

wherein the communications device is configured as a pendant device, and the first remote device is associated with a call center.

2. The communications device recited in claim 1, wherein the communications device is configured as an emergency pendant device.

3. The communications device recited in claim 1, wherein the communications device is configured as a mobile phone.

7. The communications device recited in claim 1, wherein the 911 call is initiated in response to tones generated by the first remote device.

8. The communications device recited in claim 1, wherein the 911 call is initiated in response to a command generated by the first remote device.

4. A method employed by a communications device including a memory for storing a plurality of phone numbers, including 911, comprising:

initiating a call with a first remote device;

receiving, from the first remote device, an indication of a phone number that is programmed in the communications device;

determining whether or not the phone number is 911;

if the phone number is 911, then initiating a 911 call with the first remote device on hold; and

if the phone number is not 911, then initiating a call with a second remote device associated with the phone number that is programmed in the communications device, and causing the communications device, the first remote device, and the second remote device to be placed into a conference call;

wherein the communications device is configured as a pendant device, and the first remote device is associated with a call center.

5. The method recited in claim 4, wherein the communications device is configured as an emergency pendant device.

6. The method recited in claim 4, wherein the communications device is configured as a mobile phone.

9. The method recited in claim 4, wherein the 911 call is initiated in response to tones generated by the first remote device, wherein said tones are generated when a user of the first remote device presses a sequence of keys.

10. The method recited in claim 4, wherein the 911 call is initiated in response to a command generated by the first remote device, wherein said command is generated when a user of the first remote device presses a sequence of keys.