Universal call control systems and methods

• US 8,676,176 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2009
• Issued: 03/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koch, Robert A., Hensey, Robert G. Jr., Lin, Shiejye Geoffrey, Scott, David Archie
• Primary Examiner(s): SING, SIMON P
• Application Number:
  US12/411,427
• Publication Number:
  US 20090181654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,818 Days
• Field of Search: 455/566, 455/414.3, 455/415, 379/142.06
• US Class Current: 455/414.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• 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 3/42153 by subscriber
• 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 3/428 Arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/548 with remote control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold

Abstract

Methods and systems for providing a user with control over telecommunications services provided by a service provider. Using almost any type of communications device, a user may gain access to, view, and make changes or modifications to profile information related to the services. The changes may be made quickly and efficiently, but accuracy and thoroughness in the implementation of the changes are not sacrificed. Further, the changes to the communications services are implemented almost immediately and without involvement by the service provider.

Particularly, profile information about the telecommunications service is stored on a server in a data network. A change action relating to the profile information may be received at the server from a data device (such as a wireless unit) operating on the network. The change action is implemented on the profile information to result in changed profile information, which may be provided from the server via the data network to the telecommunications system.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

processing a call from a calling number to a called number;

pausing processing of the call at a server prior to termination at the called number;

querying a profile for the calling number, the profile storing different text messages associated with different calling numbers;

retrieving by the server one of the different text messages associated with the calling number; and

sending the one of the different text messages from the server to the calling number.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing an association between the one of the different text messages and the calling number.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing the profile.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing options for pre-composed text messages.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising receiving a selection of one of the options for pre-composed text messages.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising querying a web server for the profile.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving a graphical user interface that provides access to the profile.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising populating the graphical user interface with call forwarding information.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising populating the graphical user interface with do not disturb information.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising populating the graphical user interface with members of a communications circle who are permitted read-only access to the profile.

11. The method of claim 7, further comprising populating the graphical user interface with availability information describing a communications device associated with a calling party.

12. A system for managing communications of a user, comprising:

a processor; and

memory storing code that when executed causes the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising;

processing a call from a calling number to a called number;

pausing processing of the call prior to termination at the called number;

querying a profile for the calling number, the profile storing text messages associated with different calling numbers;

retrieving one of the text messages associated with the calling number; and

providing the one of the text messages during the call to the calling number.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise storing an association between the one of the text messages and the calling number.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise storing associations between the text messages and the different calling numbers.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise storing options for pre-composed text messages.

16. The system of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise querying a web server for the profile.

17. The system of claim 12, wherein the operations further comprise retrieving a graphical user interface from the memory that provides access to the profile.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise populating the graphical user interface with call forwarding information.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the operations further comprise populating the graphical user interface with do not disturb information.

20. A memory storing instructions that when executed cause a processor to perform operations, the operations comprising:

processing a call to a called number from a calling number;

pausing processing of the call prior to termination to the called number;

querying a profile for the calling number, the profile storing text messages associated with different calling numbers;

retrieving one of the text messages associated with the calling number; and

providing the one of the text messages to the calling number.