Systems and methods for managing incoming calls

• US 9,351,133 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2014
• Issued: 05/24/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alberto Leon-Garcia, Daniel Patrick Shea, David William Offen
• Original Assignee: Daniel Patrick Shea, David William Offen
• Inventors: Offen, David William, Shea, Daniel Patrick, Leon-Garcia, Alberto
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Khai N
• Application Number:
  US14/465,367
• Publication Number:
  US 20150054910A1
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 348/14.02, 379/93.35, 379/215.01, 379/88.19, 379/88.21, 379/93.03, 379/127.01, 379/142.05, 379/142.08, 379/161, 379/201.01, 379/201.02, 379/208.01, 379/215, 455/415
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/20 with means for interrupting existing connections; with means for breaking-in on conversations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42068 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4288 Notifying a called subscriber of an incoming call during an ongoing call, e.g. Call Waiting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4365 based on information specified by the calling party, e.g. priority or subject
• 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: H04N 7/141 between two video terminals, e.g. videophone telephonic communication systems combined with television receiver for reception of entertainment or information matter H04M11/085
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

A system is provided that provides for the prioritization of incoming calls to a communications device based on respective caller profiles. Each profile may include a caller priority value. The system may prioritize an incoming call based on the priority value. The priority value may be updated manually or automatically in accordance with a variety of factors. While the communications device receive an incoming call while an existing call is active, the communications device may request a call management command at the communications device or provide a notification that an incoming call has been received and is pending in accordance with the respective caller profile.

Claims

1. A method, performed by one of a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, comprising:

receiving an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determining a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

determining a call priority value based on the respective caller profile and comparing the call priority value with a predetermined level; and

when the call priority value is above the predetermined level;

transmitting a predetermined message to the second communications device requesting an indication of incoming call importance, the predetermined message based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

receiving, from the second communications device, incoming call importance data in response to the predetermined message, and

in accordance with the incoming call importance data received from the second communications device, prioritizing the incoming call in a call queue.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the prioritizing comprises rendering the incoming call active at the communications device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the rendering comprises interrupting an active call at the communications device.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein the interrupting comprises placing the active call on hold.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the active call comprises a first video call, and the incoming call comprises a second video call, the method comprising providing a video notification to the first video call that the first video call is placed on hold.

6. A method, performed by one of a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, comprising:

receiving an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determining a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

determining a call priority value based on the respective caller profile and comparing the call priority value with a predetermined level;

when the call priority value is above the predetermined level;

transmitting a predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device, the predetermined on-hold message including an indication of a predetermined on-hold time period, the predetermined on-hold message and the predetermined on-hold time period each based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

providing a notification at the communications device prior to expiration of the predetermined on-hold time period, based at least partly on the predetermined on-hold time period;

receiving call management data at the communications device in response to the notification, the call management data representing an action to be taken regarding the incoming call, and

in accordance with the call management data received at the communications device, transmitting a second predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein the notification includes an indication that the predetermined on-hold time period is expiring.

8. The method of claim 6 comprising prioritizing the incoming call over an active call upon expiration of the predetermined on-hold time period based on the call management data, the prioritizing comprising:

rendering the incoming call active at the communications device at least partly by interrupting the active call at the communications device; and

placing the active call on hold.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the active call comprises a first video call, and the incoming call comprises a second video call, the method comprising providing a video notification to the first video call that the first video call is placed on hold.

10. A method, performed by one of a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, comprising:

receiving an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determining a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

determining a call priority value based on the respective caller profile and comparing the call priority value with a predetermined level;

when the call priority value is above the predetermined level;

determining call management data at the communications device based on at least the respective caller profile, the call management data representing an action to be taken regarding the incoming call;

transmitting a predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

providing a notification of the incoming call at the communications device; and

in accordance with the call management data received at the communications device, transmitting a second predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the second predetermined on-hold message comprises an indication that the incoming call is being managed in accordance with the call management data.

12. A method, performed by one of a communications device and a computer server, the mobile device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, comprising:

receiving an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determining a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

transmitting a predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device, the predetermined on-hold message based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

receiving on-hold preference data from the second communications device;

providing a notification at the communications device of the on-hold preference data; and

prioritizing the incoming call in a call queue based at least partly on the on-hold preference data and the respective caller profile.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium tangibly embodying code that, when executed by a processor of one of a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, causes the processor to:

receive an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determine a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

determine a call priority value based on the respective caller profile and compare the call priority value with a predetermined level; and

when the call priority value is above the predetermined level;

transmit a predetermined message to the second communications device requesting an indication of incoming call importance, the predetermined message based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

receive, from the second communications device, incoming call importance data in response to the pre-determined message, and

in accordance with the incoming call importance data received from the second communications device, prioritize the incoming call in a call queue.

14. A system comprising a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, one of the communications device and the computer server being configured to:

receive an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determine a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

determine a call priority value based on the respective caller profile and compare the call priority value with a predetermined level; and

when the call priority value is above the predetermined level;

transmit a predetermined message to the second communications device requesting an indication of incoming call importance, the predetermined message based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

receive, from the second communications device, incoming call importance data in response to the pre-determined message, and

in accordance with the incoming call importance data received from the second communications device, prioritize the incoming call in a call queue.

15. A non-transitory computer readable medium tangibly embodying code that, when executed by a processor of one of a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, causes the processor to:

receive an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determine a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

determine a call priority value based on the respective caller profile and compare the call priority value with a predetermined level; and

when the call priority value is above the predetermined level;

transmit a predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device, the predetermined on-hold message including an indication of a predetermined on-hold time period, the predetermined on-hold message and the predetermined on-hold time period each based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

provide a notification at the communications device prior to expiration of the predetermined on-hold time period, based at least partly on the predetermined on-hold time period;

receive call management data at the communications device in response to the notification, the call management data representing an action to be taken regarding the incoming call, and

in accordance with the call management data received at the communications device, transmit a second predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device.

16. A system comprising a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, one of the communications device and the computer server being configured to:

receive an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determine a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

determine a call priority value based on the respective caller profile and compare the call priority value with a predetermined level; and

when the call priority value is above the predetermined level;

transmit a predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device, the predetermined on-hold message including an indication of a predetermined on-hold time period, the predetermined on-hold message and the predetermined on-hold time period each based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

provide a notification at the communications device prior to expiration of the predetermined on-hold time period, based at least partly on the predetermined on-hold time period;

receive call management data at the communications device in response to the notification, the call management data representing an action to be taken regarding the incoming call, and

in accordance with the call management data received at the communications device, transmit a second predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium tangibly embodying code that, when executed by a processor of one of a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, causes the processor to:

receive an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determine a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

determine a call priority value based on the respective caller profile and compare the call priority value with a predetermined level; and

when the call priority value is above the predetermined level;

determine call management data at the communications device based on at least the respective caller profile, the call management data representing an action to be taken regarding the incoming call;

transmit a predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

provide a notification of the incoming call at the communications device; and

in accordance with the call management data received at the communications device, transmit a second predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device.

18. A system comprising a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, one of the communications device and the computer server being configured to:

receive an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determine a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

determine a call priority value based on the respective caller profile and compare the call priority value with a predetermined level; and

when the call priority value is above the predetermined level;

determine call management data at the communications device based on at least the respective caller profile, the call management data representing an action to be taken regarding the incoming call;

transmit a predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

provide a notification of the incoming call at the communications device; and

in accordance with the call management data received at the communications device, transmit a second predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device.

19. A non-transitory computer readable medium tangibly embodying code that, when executed by a processor of one of a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, causes the processor to:

receive an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determine a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

transmit a predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device, the predetermined on-hold message based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

receive on-hold preference data from the second communications device;

provide a notification at the communications device of the on-hold preference data; and

prioritize the incoming call in a call queue based at least partly on the on-hold preference data and the respective caller profile.

20. A system comprising a communications device and a computer server, the communications device associated with a user and in communication with the computer server over a communications network, one of the communications device and the computer server being configured to:

receive an incoming call at the communications device from a second communications device, the incoming call comprising caller identity information;

determine a correspondence between the caller identity information and a respective caller profile;

transmit a predetermined on-hold message to the second communications device, the predetermined on-hold message based at least partly on the respective caller profile;

receive on-hold preference data from the second communications device;

provide a notification at the communications device of the on-hold preference data; and

prioritize the incoming call in a call queue based at least partly on the on-hold preference data and the respective caller profile.