US5434906A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for processing an incoming call in a communication system
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1993-09-13
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Granted: 1995-07-18
•
Expires: 2013-09-13
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for providing a telephone user with automated attendant functions with numerous selectable options. The options include selecting one or many greetings to be given to the caller before sending the caller to voice mail, recording a new greeting for the caller after learning the caller's identity, re-routing the call and adding an audio message to be delivered to the substitute called party before the call is connected, and delivering a selected or customized greeting to the caller and then placing the caller on hold without accepting the call. A display screen with a cursor is used to facilitate presentation of information and options to the telephone user and selection of options by the telephone user.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Robinson
- 👤 Robert C. Greco
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:32
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/537; H04M1/00; H04M1/57; H04M1/575; H04M1/64; H04M1/642; H04M1/66; H04M1/663; H04M3/428; H04M3/436; H04M3/527; H04M3/533; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/42; H04M2201/60; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/20; H04M2203/2011; H04M3/5307; H04M3/53333; H04M3/5335; H04M3/53366
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for a communication system including a plurality of extensions to process a call from a caller to a called party, one of said extensions being the called party's extension, comprising the steps of: a) receiving the call from the caller; b) sending a notification to the called party indicating receipt of the call; and c) receiving from the called party a selected response to the notification, the response being selected from two or more possible responses, the two or more possible responses including 1) to forward the call to a voice message recorder with a first greeting presented to the caller, and 2) to forward the call to a voice message recorder with a second greeting presented to the caller; wherein the first greeting is a prerecorded greeting available for use only at the called party's extension, and the second greeting is a prerecorded greeting available for use at the other extensions as well as the called party's extension.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for a communication system including a plurality of extensions to process a call from a caller to a called party, one of said extensions being the called party's extension, comprising the steps of: a) receiving the call from the caller; b) sending a notification to the called party indicating receipt of the call; and c) receiving from the called party a selected response to the notification, the response being selected from two or more possible responses, the two or more possible responses including 1) to forward the call to a voice message recorder with a first greeting presented to the caller, and 2) to forward the call to a voice message recorder with a second greeting presented to the caller; wherein the first greeting is a prerecorded greeting available for use only at the called party's extension, and the second greeting is a prerecorded greeting available for use at the other extensions as well as the called party's extension.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the first greeting is prerecorded and the second greeting includes voice sounds spoken by the called party after receiving the notification.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step a) further includes determining information regarding the caller and step b) further includes forwarding such information to the called party.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 1 wherein step b) further includes sending to the called party a prompt describing with words possible responses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the prompt is presented on a display.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for a communication system to process a call from a caller to a called party, comprising the steps of: a) receiving the call from the caller; b) sending to the called party a notification of receipt of the call; c) receiving from the called party a command to re-route the call to a substitute telephone number; d) receiving and recording from the called party a first and second audio message; e) transmitting the first audio message to the caller; f) re-routing the call to the substitute telephone number; and g) transmitting the second audio message to the substitute telephone number.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
102 words
A method for a communication system to process a call from a caller to a called party, comprising the steps of: a) receiving the call from the caller; b) sending to the called party a notification of receipt of the call; c) receiving from the called party a command to re-route the call to a substitute telephone number; d) receiving and recording from the called party a first and second audio message; e) transmitting the first audio message to the caller; f) re-routing the call to the substitute telephone number; and g) transmitting the second audio message to the substitute telephone number.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step a) further includes determining information regarding the caller and step b) further includes forwarding such information to the called party.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 6 wherein step b) further includes sending to the called party a prompt describing with words possible responses.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the prompt is presented on a display.
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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) | 1998-07-17 | 1999-01-16 | 1999-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-07-17 | 2003-01-16 | 2003-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-07-17 | 2007-01-16 | 2007-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |