US5327486A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for managing telecommunications such as telephone calls
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1993-03-22
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Granted: 1994-07-05
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Expires: 2013-03-22
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for managing telephone calls includes a personal telephone manager (PTM) (12) and uses out-of-band, wireless, two-way signaling, messaging and alerting to screen, control, route and respond to incoming telephone calls and to communicate called party text messages in auditory form to the caller. Through use of an out-of-band signaling/messaging path (16), the PTM (12) frees the called party from the need to maintain telephone network connectivity, from having to inform others of his/her current location, and from having to subscribe to and use cellular telephone service. Instead, the called party can rely on the availability of existing low bandwidth, wide area, two-way wireless data services, which make efficient and cost effective use of available radio spectrum. Two-way wireless data messaging to a portable computer (18) equipped with radio transceivers is also provided. This feature enables the system to provide a set of real-time options including: call screening by the called party based on information identifying the caller's telephone number; call redirection to a wire-line or wireless telephone number as specified by the called party; call redirection to a third party or to a voice mail system; or the return of a text message specified by the called party and delivered to the caller in an auditory form.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard S. Wolff
- 👤 Warren S. Gifford
- 👤 Michael Kramer
- 👤 David S. Miller
- 👤 Gerardo Ramirez
- 👤 David L. Turock
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 06:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/16; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/663; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42229; H04M3/436; H04M3/487; H04M3/50; H04M3/527; H04M1/57; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/40; H04M2201/60; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/10; H04M2203/1091; H04M2242/00; H04M2242/22; H04M3/42025; H04M3/42034; H04M3/42042; H04M3/42085; H04M3/42093; H04M3/42102; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04M3/54; H04M7/00; H04M7/12; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/72; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S379/00; Y10S379/908
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
Method for managing a telecommunications call in a telecommunications network from a caller to an end user, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the call from the caller, the call including call identification information; screening the call based on the caller identification through automated access to a data base; then transmitting a first radio signal based on the caller identification information to a computer having a display screen which computer is locationally independent of the telecommunications network; receiving the first radio signal; presenting a first message identifying the caller and displaying objects on the display screen, each object representing a function which may be performed by the user in response to the call; receiving user selection data representing a selection of one of the objects by the end user to identify the function to be performed in response to the call; transmitting a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed; processing the second message in response to said second radio signal; and performing the identified function in the telecommunications network.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
Method for managing a telecommunications call in a telecommunications network from a caller to an end user, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the call from the caller, the call including call identification information; screening the call based on the caller identification through automated access to a data base; then transmitting a first radio signal based on the caller identification information to a computer having a display screen which computer is locationally independent of the telecommunications network; receiving the first radio signal; presenting a first message identifying the caller and displaying objects on the display screen, each object representing a function which may be performed by the user in response to the call; receiving user selection data representing a selection of one of the objects by the end user to identify the function to be performed in response to the call; transmitting a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed; processing the second message in response to said second radio signal; and performing the identified function in the telecommunications network.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the telecommunications call is a telephone call.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of providing an input device for inputting data to the computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the input device is a pointing device for inputting text data in human readable format to the computer through the display device and for selecting the objects displayed on the display screen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as claimed in claim 4 further comprising the steps of converting the text data to a machine readable format and displaying the converted data on the display screen.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the input device is a keyboard.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second messages is a text message.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second message includes a telephone number for routing the call to a telephone identified by the telephone number.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the telephone number is a current wireline telephone number of the end user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein the method further includes the step of storing the current wireline telephone number in a user profile for later use.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second message includes rejection instructions for rejecting the call.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second message includes routing instructions to route the call to a messaging service, such as voice mail.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second message includes routing instructions for routing the call to an individual, other than the end user.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first radio signal which represents the first message identifies the caller.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of alerting the end user of the reception of the first radio signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second message includes a text message and wherein the method further comprises the step of converting the text message to a speech message to permit the caller to hear the speech message.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the objects is a graphic object.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of identifying the caller from the caller identification information.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
240 words
A system for managing a telecommunications call in a telecommunications network from a caller to an end user, the system comprising: means for receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information; means for identifying the caller from the caller identification information and means for screening the call based on the caller identification information to obtain a first message; a first transceiver for transmitting to said end user a first radio signal based on the caller identification information; a second transceiver at said end user for receiving the first radio signal; a computer, locationally independent of the telecommunications network, with a display device connected to the second transceiver and having a display screen and an input device for inputting data to the computer; means for presenting the first message identifying the caller and means for displaying objects on the display screen, each object representing a function which may be performed in response to the call; means for receiving user selection data from the input device, the user selection data representing a selection of one of the objects by the end user to identify the function to be performed with respect to the call, the second transceiver transmitting to the first transceiver a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed; and means for processing the second message in order to perform, in the telecommunications network, the function identified by the second message.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
240 words
A system for managing a telecommunications call in a telecommunications network from a caller to an end user, the system comprising: means for receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information; means for identifying the caller from the caller identification information and means for screening the call based on the caller identification information to obtain a first message; a first transceiver for transmitting to said end user a first radio signal based on the caller identification information; a second transceiver at said end user for receiving the first radio signal; a computer, locationally independent of the telecommunications network, with a display device connected to the second transceiver and having a display screen and an input device for inputting data to the computer; means for presenting the first message identifying the caller and means for displaying objects on the display screen, each object representing a function which may be performed in response to the call; means for receiving user selection data from the input device, the user selection data representing a selection of one of the objects by the end user to identify the function to be performed with respect to the call, the second transceiver transmitting to the first transceiver a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed; and means for processing the second message in order to perform, in the telecommunications network, the function identified by the second message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 19 in which the telecommunications call is a telephone call.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the input device is a pointing device for inputting text data in human readable format to the computer through the display device and for selecting the objects displayed on the display screen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as claimed in claim 21 further comprising means for converting the text data to a machine readable format and means for displaying the converted data on the display screen.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the input device is a keyboard.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein at least one of the first and second messages is a text message.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system s claimed in claim 19 wherein the second message includes a telephone number and routing instructions for routing the call to a telephone identified by the telephone number.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the second message includes rejection instructions for rejecting the call.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the second message includes routing instructions for routing the call to a messaging service, such as voice mail.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the second message includes routing instructions for routing the call to an individual, other than the end user.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the second message includes a text message and wherein the system further comprises means for converting the text message to a speech message so that the caller can hear the speech message.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the means for identifying includes a data base of information records denoting the names of potential callers.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system as claimed in claim 19 further comprising means for alerting the end user that the first radio signal has been received by the second transceiver.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein at least one of the objects is a graphic object.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for managing a telecommunications call from a caller to an end user, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information; transmitting a first radio signal based on the caller identification information to a computer having a display screen; receiving the first radio signal; presenting a first message identifying the caller and displaying objects on the display screen, each object representing a function which may be performed by the user in response to the call; selecting one of the objects by the end user to identify the function to be performed in response to the call; transmitting a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the selected function to be performed, wherein the second message includes a telephone number for routing the call to a telephone identified by the telephone number and the telephone number is the current wireline number of the end user; and processing the second message in response to said second radio signal to perform the selected function.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for managing a telecommunications call from a caller to an end user, the method comprising the steps of: receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information; transmitting a first radio signal based on the caller identification information to a computer having a display screen; receiving the first radio signal; presenting a first message identifying the caller and displaying objects on the display screen, each object representing a function which may be performed by the user in response to the call; selecting one of the objects by the end user to identify the function to be performed in response to the call; transmitting a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the selected function to be performed, wherein the second message includes a telephone number for routing the call to a telephone identified by the telephone number and the telephone number is the current wireline number of the end user; and processing the second message in response to said second radio signal to perform the selected function.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as claimed in claim 33 wherein the method further includes the step of storing the current wireline telephone number in a user profile for later user.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for managing a telecommunications call from a caller to an end user, the method comprising: means for receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information; means for identifying the caller from the caller identification information and means for screening the call, based on the caller identification information to obtain a first message; a first transceiver for transmitting to said end user a first radio signal based on the first message; a second transceiver at said end user for receiving the first radio signal; a computer with a display device connected to the second transceiver and an input device for inputting data to the computer; means for presenting the first message identifying the caller and for displaying functions which may be performed in response to the call; means for receiving end user selection data from the input device, the end user selection data representing a selection of the functions to be performed with respect to the call, the second transceiver transmitting to the first transceiver a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed; and means for processing the second message to perform the selected function identified.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
197 words
A system for managing a telecommunications call from a caller to an end user, the method comprising: means for receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information; means for identifying the caller from the caller identification information and means for screening the call, based on the caller identification information to obtain a first message; a first transceiver for transmitting to said end user a first radio signal based on the first message; a second transceiver at said end user for receiving the first radio signal; a computer with a display device connected to the second transceiver and an input device for inputting data to the computer; means for presenting the first message identifying the caller and for displaying functions which may be performed in response to the call; means for receiving end user selection data from the input device, the end user selection data representing a selection of the functions to be performed with respect to the call, the second transceiver transmitting to the first transceiver a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed; and means for processing the second message to perform the selected function identified.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as claimed in claim 35 in which the telecommunications call is a telephone call.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as claimed in claim 35 wherein the second message includes a text message and wherein the system further comprises means for converting the text message to an audible message.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
212 words
A system for managing a telecommunications call from a caller to an end user, the system comprising: means for receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information; means for creating a first message to identify the caller in response to the caller identification information; a first transceiver for transmitting to said end user a first radio signal based on the first message; a second transceiver at said end user for receiving the first radio signal; a computer with a display device connected to the second transceiver and an input device for inputting data to the computer; means for presenting the first message and for displaying objects on the display screen, each object representing a function which may be performed in response to the call; means for receiving user selection data from the input device, the user selection data representing a selection of the function to be performed with respect to the call, the second transceiver transmitting to the first transceiver a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed, wherein the second message includes a telephone number and routing instructions for routing the call to a telephone identified by the telephone number. means for processing the second message to perform the selected function.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
212 words
A system for managing a telecommunications call from a caller to an end user, the system comprising: means for receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information; means for creating a first message to identify the caller in response to the caller identification information; a first transceiver for transmitting to said end user a first radio signal based on the first message; a second transceiver at said end user for receiving the first radio signal; a computer with a display device connected to the second transceiver and an input device for inputting data to the computer; means for presenting the first message and for displaying objects on the display screen, each object representing a function which may be performed in response to the call; means for receiving user selection data from the input device, the user selection data representing a selection of the function to be performed with respect to the call, the second transceiver transmitting to the first transceiver a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed, wherein the second message includes a telephone number and routing instructions for routing the call to a telephone identified by the telephone number. means for processing the second message to perform the selected function.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the telecommunication call is a telephone call.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the second message includes routing instructions for routing the call to an individual other than the end user.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-07-04 | 1998-01-03 | 1998-07-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-07-04 | 2002-01-03 | 2002-07-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-07-04 | 2006-01-03 | 2006-07-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |