Managing incoming calls and/or messages in a communications system

• US 20050047562A1
• Filed: 08/28/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Liu, Jane, Winikoff, Dave, Holz, Stefan
• Application Number:
  US10/649,778
• Publication Number:
  US 20050047562A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.220
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/651 Text message transmission triggered by call automatic reactions in messaging within packet-switching networks H04L51/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4211 where the identifier is used to access a profile
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42365 Presence services providing information on the willingness to communicate or the ability to communicate in terms of media capability or network connectivity
• 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: H04Q 2213/13256 Call screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13336 Store & forward, messaging systems email H04Q2213/13375
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13375 Electronic mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0016 Arrangements providing connection between exchanges

Abstract

Managing incoming calls and/or messages in a communications system In a communications system, incoming calls and/or messages are managed by checking upon receipt of a call and/or message—if a pre-defined availability status allocated to a recipient of the call and/or message is activated. Upon activation of a pre-defined availability status a pre-defined filter rule is applied to the call and/or message in accordance with the activated availability status. A call and/or message handling action associated with the activated availability status is executed.

Claims

1. A Method of managing incoming calls and/or messages in a communications system comprising the steps of:

upon receipt of a call and/or message checking if a pre-defined availability status allocated to a recipient of the call and/or message is activated;

upon activation of a pre-defined availability status applying a pre-defined filter rule to the call and/or message in accordance with the activated availability status; and

executing a call and/or message handling action associated with the activated availability status.

2. A Method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the availability status is selectable for activation by the recipient of the call and/or message.

3. A Method as set forth in claim 2, wherein only one availability status is activated at a time.

4. A Method as set forth in claim 1, wherein any call and/or message is signalised and routed to the recipient by applying the filter rule relating to an availability status in which the recipient is prepared to receive calls and/or messages.

5. A Method as set forth in claim 1, wherein only calls and/or messages originating from a pre-determined set of callers and/or senders are signalised and forwarded to the recipient by applying the filter rule.

6. A Method as set forth in claim 1, wherein any call and/or message is forwarded to an other pre-defined recipient by executing the call and/or message handling action.

7. A Method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the call and/or message handling action comprises notifying the recipient of attempted communication by means of a message directed to a selected communication device allocated to the recipient.

8. A Method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the call and/or message is routed to a destination associated with an entry in a personal scheduler of the recipient.

9. An Apparatus for managing incoming calls and/or messages in a communications system comprising:

means for checking, upon receipt of a call and/or message, if a pre-defined availability status allocated to a recipient of the call and/or message is activated;

means for applying, upon activation of a pre-defined availability status, a pre-defined filter rule to the call and/or message in accordance with the activated availability status; and

means for executing a call and/or message handling action associated with the activated availability status.

10. A Computer program product stored on a computer usable medium comprising:

computer readable means for causing a computer to check, upon receipt of a call and/or message, if a pre-defined availability status allocated to a recipient of the call and/or message is activated;

computer readable means for causing the computer to apply, upon activation of a pre-defined availability status, a pre-defined filter rule to the call and/or message in accordance with the activated availability status; and

computer readable means for causing the computer to execute a call and/or message handling action associated with the activated availability status.