Transferring a call to a backup according to call context

• US 20030112956A1
• Filed: 12/17/2001
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Winters, Scott Lee, Paolini, Michael A., Brown, Michael Wayne, Weaver, James Mark, McIntyre, Joseph Herbert
• Granted Patent: US 7,072,457 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/221.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/385 using speech signals
• 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 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42348 Location-based services which utilize the location information of a target
• 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 3/5108 Secretarial services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems

Abstract

A method, system, and program for transferring a call to a backup according to call context are provided. A context for a call from a caller to an intended callee is detected. An intended party backup profile is accessed that indicates multiple backup parties designated by the intended callee. At least one backup party is automatically selected from among the multiple backup parties according to the context for the call. The call may be automatically forwarded to at least one backup party if the intended callee has currently elected to forward calls. Alternatively, after detecting that the intended callee is unavailable, the call may be automatically transferred to at least one backup party.

Claims

1. A method for determining a call backup, comprising:

detecting a context for a call from a caller to an intended callee; and

automatically selecting at least one backup party from among a plurality of backup parties to said intended party according to said context for said call.

2. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request for a selection of at least one backup party.

3. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a context for said call at a context inference service executing within a trusted telephone network handling said call.

4. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, further comprising:

detecting a context for said call at a context inference service executing outside a trusted telephone network handling said call.

5. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, further comprising:

automatically facilitating forwarding said call to said at least one backup party.

6. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, further comprising;

responsive to detecting said intended callee as unavailable, automatically facilitating transfer of said call from said intended callee to said at least one backup party

7. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, further comprising:

searching for said intended callee among at least one line number according to an identity of said intended callee; and

responsive to not detecting said callee at said at least one line number, automatically facilitating transfer of said call from said intended callee to said at least one backup party.

8. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, further comprising:

accessing a backup profile comprising a plurality of backup parties designated according to context for said intended callee; and

filtering said plurality of backup parties according to said context for said call.

9. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said at least one backup party provides backup for a subject matter of said call context.

10. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said at least one backup party provides backup for an event of said call context.

11. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said at least one backup party provides backup for a time period of said context.

12. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said at least one backup party provides backup for a location of said caller in said call context.

13. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said at least one backup party provides backup for a type of device utilized by said caller in said call context.

14. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said at least one backup party comprises at least one individual.

15. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said at least one backup party comprises a business entity.

16. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said at least one backup party comprises a voice messaging service.

17. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said at least one backup party comprises a text messaging service.

18. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said at least one backup party comprises an instant messaging service.

19. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, further comprising:

facilitating transfer of said call to a messaging service, wherein said messaging service provides said caller with a plurality of options comprising at least one from among leaving a message and selecting to transfer to another backup party.

20. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, further comprising:

sharing payment for telephone service costs for said call between said intended callee and said at least one backup party.

21. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, further comprising:

transferring a payment from said intended callee to said at least one backup party for answering said call.

22. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said intended callee is an individual different from a line subscriber for a line number requested.

23. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said intended callee is a line subscriber for a line number requested.

24. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said call context is determined at least one from among an authenticated identity of said caller, a profile for said caller, a profile for a line subscriber, a profile for said intended callee, and a profile for a device utilized by said caller.

25. The method for determining a call backup according to claim 1, wherein said call context comprises at least one from among, an identity of said caller, an identity of a line subscriber, an identity of said intended callee, said at least one backup party, a subject of said call, a location of origination of said call, an identity of a device utilized to place said call, a billing plan of said caller, a billing plan of said intended callee, and a billing plan of said at least one backup party.

26. A system for determining a call backup, comprising:

a context inference service server communicatively connected to a trusted telephone network;

means for detecting a context for a call from a caller to an intended callee at said context inference service server; and

means for automatically selecting at least one backup party from among a plurality of backup parties to said intended party according to said context for said call.

27. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, further comprising:

means for receiving a request for a selection of at least one backup party.

28. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, further comprising:

means for detecting a context for said call at a context inference service executing within said trusted telephone network handling said call.

29. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, further comprising:

means for detecting a context for said call at a context inference service executing outside said trusted telephone network handling said call.

30. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, further comprising:

means for automatically facilitating forwarding said call to said at least one backup party.

31. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, further comprising;

means responsive to detecting said intended callee as unavailable, for automatically facilitating transfer of said call from said intended callee to said at least one backup party.

32. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, further comprising:

means for searching for said intended callee among at least one line number according to an identity of said intended callee; and

means responsive to not detecting said callee at said at least one line number, for automatically facilitating transfer of said call from said intended callee to said at least one backup party.

33. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, further comprising:

means for accessing a backup profile comprising a plurality of backup parties designated according to context for said intended callee; and

means for filtering said plurality of backup parties according to said context for said call.

34. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said at least one backup party provides backup for a subject matter of said call context.

35. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said at least one backup party provides backup for an event of said call context.

36. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said at least one backup party provides backup for a time period of said context.

37. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said at least one backup party provides backup for a location of said caller in said call context.

38. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said at least one backup party provides backup for a type of device utilized by said caller in said call context.

39. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said at least one backup party comprises at least one individual.

40. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said at least one backup party comprises a business entity.

41. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said at least one backup party comprises a voice messaging service.

42. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said at least one backup party comprises a text messaging service.

43. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said at least one backup party comprises an instant messaging service.

44. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, further comprising:

means for facilitating transfer of said call to a messaging service, wherein said messaging service provides said caller with a plurality of options comprising at least one from among leaving a message and selecting to transfer to another backup party.

45. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, further comprising:

means for sharing payment for telephone service costs for said call between said intended callee and said at least one backup party.

50. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, further comprising:

means for transferring a payment from said intended callee to said at least one backup party for answering said call.

51. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said intended callee is an individual different from a line subscriber for a line number requested.

52. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said intended callee is a line subscriber for a line number requested.

53. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said call context is determined at least one from among an authenticated identity of said caller, a profile for said caller, a profile for a line subscriber, a profile for said intended callee, and a profile for a device utilized by said caller.

54. The system for determining a call backup according to claim 26, wherein said call context comprises at least one from among, an identity of said caller, an identity of a line subscriber, an identity of said intended callee, said at least one backup party, a subject of said call, a location of origination of said call, an identity of a device utilized to place said call, a billing plan of said caller, a billing plan of said intended callee, and a billing plan of said at least one backup party.

55. A computer program product for determining a call backup, comprising:

a recording medium;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for detecting a context for a call from a caller to an intended callee; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for automatically selecting at least one backup party from among a plurality of backup parties to said intended party according to said context for said call.

56. The computer program product for determining a call backup according to claim 55, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for receiving a request for a selection of at least one backup party.

57. The computer program product for determining a call backup according to claim 55, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for detecting a context for said call at a context inference service executing within said trusted telephone network handling said call.

58. The computer program product for determining a call backup according to claim 55, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for detecting a context for said call at a context inference service executing outside said trusted telephone network handling said call.

59. The computer program product for determining a call backup according to claim 55, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for automatically facilitating forwarding said call to said at least one backup party.

60. The computer program product for determining a call backup according to claim 55, further comprising;

means, recorded on said recording medium, for automatically facilitating transfer of said call from said intended callee to said at least one backup party when said intended callee is unavailable.

61. The computer program product for determining a call backup according to claim 55, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for searching for said intended callee among at least one line number according to an identity of said intended callee; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, responsive to not detecting said callee at said at least one line number, for automatically facilitating transfer of said call from said intended callee to said at least one backup party.

62. The computer program product for determining a call backup according to claim 55, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for accessing a backup profile comprising a plurality of backup parties designated according to context for said intended callee; and

means, recorded on said recording medium, for filtering said plurality of backup parties according to said context for said call.

63. The computer program product for determining a call backup according to claim 55, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for facilitating transfer of said call to a messaging service, wherein said messaging service provides said caller with a plurality of options comprising at least one from among leaving a message and selecting to transfer to another backup party.

64. The computer program product for determining a call backup according to claim 55, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for sharing payment for telephone service costs for said call between said intended callee and said at least one backup party.

65. The computer program product for determining a call backup according to claim 55, further comprising:

means, recorded on said recording medium, for transferring a payment from said intended callee to said at least one backup party for answering said call.

66. A method for controlling a call, comprising:

receiving a call request for a call at a service provider;

accessing a context for said call, wherein said context comprises at least one context based backup party for said call; and

responsive to detecting that said call is unanswered, automatically transferring said call to said at least one context based backup party for said call.

67. The method for controlling a call according to claim 66, wherein said call request comprises a request for a line number.

68. The method for controlling a call according to claim 66, wherein said call request comprises a request for a line number and an intended callee.

69. The method for controlling a call according to claim 66, wherein said call request comprises a request for an intended callee.

70. The method for controlling a call according to claim 66, wherein said at least one backup party comprises an individual.

71. The method for controlling a call according to claim 66, wherein said at least one backup party comprises a messaging service.

72. The method for controlling a call according to claim 66, wherein said context for said call is accessed from a context inference service executing within a trusted telephone network processing said call.

73. The method for controlling a call according to claim 66, wherein said context for said call is accessed from a context inference service executing outside a trusted telephone network processing said call.

74. A method for controlling a call path, comprising:

receiving a call request for a call to an intended callee;

accessing a context for said call, wherein said context comprises a request to automatically forward said call to a context based backup party for said intended callee; and

forwarding said call to said context based backup party.

75. A method for controlling a telephony device, comprising:

receiving an identification of at least one backup party for an intended callee requested by a caller utilizing a telephony device;

controlling output of said identification of said at least one backup party via an output interface accessible to said telephony device; and

responsive to receiving a selection from among said at least one backup party, transferring said call to a switch providing service for said selected backup party.