Intelligent call forwarding
First Claim
1. A method of providing an alternate communication path for telephone calls, the method comprising:
- automatically detecting a physical relationship between a first mobile telephone and a second mobile telephone, the second mobile telephone having a simplified user interface that does not provide for the dialing of arbitrary telephone numbers;
comparing the detected physical relationship with a predetermined condition; and
causing a telephone call directed to the first mobile telephone to be relayed to the second mobile telephone when the condition is met;
wherein causing the telephone call directed to the first mobile telephone to be relayed to the second mobile telephone comprises sending an instruction configuring a telephone switching network to forward telephone calls directed to the first mobile telephone directly to the second mobile telephone.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for providing alternate communication paths for telephone calls. Calls directed to a telephone are relayed to a second electronic communication device, which may be a second telephone, based on the physical relationship of the telephone and the second device. According to one aspect, the physical relationship is automatically detected and compared with one or more conditions. When one of the conditions is met, an incoming call directed to the telephone is relayed to the second electronic communication device. Detection of the physical relationship may include detecting whether the telephone and the second device are in close proximity, whether one or both of the telephone and the second device is moving, or other aspects of the relationship.
15 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of providing an alternate communication path for telephone calls, the method comprising:
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automatically detecting a physical relationship between a first mobile telephone and a second mobile telephone, the second mobile telephone having a simplified user interface that does not provide for the dialing of arbitrary telephone numbers; comparing the detected physical relationship with a predetermined condition; and causing a telephone call directed to the first mobile telephone to be relayed to the second mobile telephone when the condition is met; wherein causing the telephone call directed to the first mobile telephone to be relayed to the second mobile telephone comprises sending an instruction configuring a telephone switching network to forward telephone calls directed to the first mobile telephone directly to the second mobile telephone. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of providing an alternate communication path for telephone calls, the method comprising:
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automatically detecting a physical relationship between a first telephone and a second telephone, the second telephone having a simplified user interface; comparing the detected physical relationship with a predetermined condition; causing a telephone call directed to the first telephone to be relayed to the second telephone when the condition is met, wherein causing the telephone call directed to the first telephone to be relayed to the second telephone comprises sending an instruction configuring a telephone switching network to forward telephone calls directed to the first telephone directly to the second telephone; and for a telephone call forwarded to the second telephone, automatically sending a message to the first telephone identifying the party who placed the telephone call directed to the first telephone. - View Dependent Claims (6)
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7. A method of providing an alternate communication path for telephone calls, the method comprising:
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automatically detecting a physical relationship between a first telephone and a second telephone, the second telephone having a simplified user interface; comparing the detected physical relationship with a predetermined condition; causing a telephone call directed to the first telephone to be relayed to the second telephone when the condition is met, wherein causing the telephone call directed to the first telephone to be relayed to the second telephone comprises sending an instruction configuring a telephone switching network to forward telephone calls directed to the first telephone directly to the second telephone; and prompting a user for a confirmation before sending the instruction configuring the telephone switching network to forward telephone calls directed to the first telephone directly to the second telephone. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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9. A method of providing an alternate communication path for telephone calls, the method comprising:
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automatically detecting a physical relationship between a first telephone and a second telephone; comparing the detected physical relationship with a predetermined condition; causing a telephone call directed to the first telephone to be relayed to the second telephone when the condition is met; and for a telephone call relayed to the second telephone, automatically sending a message to the first telephone indicating that the call was relayed, wherein the message indicating that the call was relayed identifies the party who placed the telephone call directed to the first telephone, wherein causing a telephone call directed to the first telephone to be relayed to the second telephone comprises sending an instruction configuring a telephone switching network to forward telephone calls directed to the first telephone directly to the second telephone.
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10. A method of providing an alternate communication path for telephone calls, the method comprising:
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automatically detecting a physical relationship between a first telephone and a second telephone; comparing the detected physical relationship with a predetermined condition; causing a telephone call directed to the first telephone to be relayed to the second telephone when the condition is met, wherein causing the telephone call directed to the first telephone to be relayed to the second telephone comprises sending an instruction configuring a telephone switching network to forward telephone calls directed to the first telephone directly to the second telephone; for a telephone call relayed to the second telephone, automatically sending a message to the first telephone indicating that the call was relayed; and prompting a user for a confirmation before sending the instruction configuring the telephone switching network to forward telephone calls directed to the first telephone directly to the second telephone.
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Specification