System and method for monitoring third party callers

• US 20030198329A1
• Filed: 04/18/2002
• Published: 10/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Leo Craig Mcgee
• Original Assignee: Leo Craig Mcgee
• Inventors: McGee, Leo Craig
• Application Number:
  US10/124,361
• Publication Number:
  US 20030198329A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/202.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• 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 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15

Abstract

A three-way communication session is established between a first and a second party, wherein the first party is additionally connected to a third party via a previously established communication. An indication (such as the telephone number associated with the third party, an alphanumeric character, or an icon) is then transmitted to the second party to notify him/her of the presence of the third party in the three-way communication session.

Claims

1. A method for enhancing a multi-party communication session established between a first party, second party, and any additional third party participant(s) connected to said first party, said method comprising the steps of:

a. recognizing said established session; and

b. identifying the presence of said additional third party participant(s) in said multi-party communication session;

c. providing notice to said second party regarding the presence of said additional third participant(s) in said communication session.

2. A method as per claim 1, wherein said step of providing notice is done via transmitting an icon to said second party indicating the presence of said additional third party participant(s) in said communication session.

3. A method as per claim 1, wherein said step of providing notice is done via transmitting, to said second party, a number indicating the total number of third party participant(s) in said multi-party communication session.

4. A method as per claim 1, wherein said step of providing notice is done via transmitting, to said second party, identification information associated with said third party participant(s).

5. A method as per claim 1, wherein said step of providing notice is done via transmitting, to said second party, an aural notification indicating the presence of third party participant(s).

6. A method for enhancing a multi-party communication session established between a first party, second party, and any additional third party participant(s) connected to said first party, said method comprising the steps of:

a. recognizing said established session; and

b. identifying the presence of said additional third party participant(s) in said multi-party communication session, and performing one or more of the following steps to provide notice to said second party;

i. if no caller identification information is available for said additional third party participant(s), then transmitting an icon to said second party indicating the presence of said additional third party participant(s) in said communication session;

or

ii. determining the total number of third party participant(s) in said multi-party communication session and transmitting said number to said second party;

or

iii. if caller identification information regarding each of said third party participant(s) is available, then transmitting said identification information to said second party.

7. A method as per claim 6, wherein said steps of providing notice to said second party further comprises the step of transmitting an aural notification to said second party indicating the presence of said additional third party participant(s) in said communication session.

8. A method for enhancing a three-way call session established between a first party, second party, and a third party connected to said first party, said method comprising the steps of:

a. recognizing said established session, and

b. identifying the presence of said third party in said session, and performing one or more of the following steps to provide notice to said second party;

i. if no caller identification information is available for said third party, then transmitting an icon to said second party indicating the presence of said third party in said session;

or

ii. transmitting an alphanumeric character appended to caller identification information of said first caller to indicate the presence of one caller in addition to said first caller in said session;

or

iii. if caller identification information regarding said third party is available, then transmitting, to said second party, said identification information appended to caller identification information of said first caller.

9. A method as per claim 8, wherein said steps of providing notice to said second party further comprises the step of transmitting an aural notification to said second party indicating the presence of said additional third party in said session.

10. Computer readable program code for enhancing a multi-party communication session established between a first party, second party, and any additional third party participant(s) connected to said first party, said code comprising the steps of:

a. recognizing said established session; and

b. identifying the presence of said additional third party participant(s) in said multi-party communication session, and performing one or more of the following steps to provide notice to said second party;

i. if no caller identification information is available for said additional third party participant(s), then transmitting an icon to said second party indicating the presence of said additional third party participant(s) in said communication session;

or

ii. determining the total number of third party participant(s) in said multi-party communication session and transmitting said number to said second party;

or

iii. if caller identification information regarding each of said third party participant(s) is available, then transmitting said identification information to said second party.

11. Computer readable program code for enhancing a multi-party communication session, as per claim 10, wherein said code further comprising the steps of transmitting an aural notification to said second party indicating the presence of said additional third party participant(s) in said communication session.