US5590186A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for redirecting a telephone call with call merging
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1993-12-22
•
Granted: 1996-12-31
•
Expires: 2013-12-22
Abstract
Abstract Calls made to a toll-free 800 service subscriber are routed to a subscriber's primary location via a telephone network switch operating in conjunction with a specially configured adjunct processor. The adjunct processor routes the call from the calling party to the primary location through a first call leg extending between the calling party, switch and adjunct processor. A second call leg is extended from the adjunct processor, through the switch to an alternate destination. The first and second call legs are bridged within the adjunct processor for completing the call from the calling party to the alternate location. After the called is bridged, the two call legs are released to and from the adjunct processor while merging the two legs within the switch so as to conserve adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls. The described system also provides for five different redirection features: 1) blind transfer, 2) soft transfer, and 3) conference-consultation for human agents; and 4) blind and 5) soft transfer for voice response units (VRU's).
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Y. Liao
- 👤 Antoinette Rule
- 👤 Rise J. Frankel
- 👤 Thomas W. Blickle
- 👤 Sandra L. Bish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 11:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/4228; H04M3/42306; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/54; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04M15/00; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/15; H04M2203/158; H04M2207/00; H04M2207/12; H04M3/487; H04M3/5166; H04M3/523; H04M3/5232; H04M3/5235
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 43
Claim 1
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for completing telephone calls comprising means including a switch having an associated adjunct processor for routing a first call from a calling party at a customer location to a redirecting party at a primary location, means in said adjunct processor for monitoring the call after it has been completed to said primary location for a redirection signal indicative to forward said call to an alternate destination, means in said adjunct processor for routing said first call from said calling party to said primary location through a first call leg extending between said switch and adjunct processor and means for routing a second call from said adjunct processor through a second call leg extending between said adjunct processor, switch and said alternate destination, said adjunct processor including means for bridging said first and second call legs for completing the first call from said calling parting to said alternate location, and means for releasing said call legs to and from said adjunct processor while merging said call legs within said switch so as to conserve adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
182 words
A system for completing telephone calls comprising means including a switch having an associated adjunct processor for routing a first call from a calling party at a customer location to a redirecting party at a primary location, means in said adjunct processor for monitoring the call after it has been completed to said primary location for a redirection signal indicative to forward said call to an alternate destination, means in said adjunct processor for routing said first call from said calling party to said primary location through a first call leg extending between said switch and adjunct processor and means for routing a second call from said adjunct processor through a second call leg extending between said adjunct processor, switch and said alternate destination, said adjunct processor including means for bridging said first and second call legs for completing the first call from said calling parting to said alternate location, and means for releasing said call legs to and from said adjunct processor while merging said call legs within said switch so as to conserve adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said redirecting party is an automatic voice response unit capable of receiving dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) instruction signals, said adjunct processor including means for transmitting to said automatic voice response unit dual tone multifrequency signals indicative of the outcome of the releasing and merging of the call legs.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said redirection signal is a touch tone sequence generated in said primary location.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 1 including means for conferencing said calling party, said redirecting primary party and said alternate party before said adjunct legs are released.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system according to claim 1 including means at said primary location for entering a redirect number to said alternate location, and said adjunct processor includes means for disconnecting said primary location after said primary location has entered said redirect number and before said call between said calling party and said alternate party has been bridged.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system according to claim 1 including means at said primary location for entering a redirect number to said alternate location, and said adjunct processor includes means for disconnecting said primary location only after said alternate location is successfully bridged.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 1 wherein said alternate location comprises a network services complex (NSCX) having an announcement base of stored announcements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system according to claim 7 wherein said primary location includes means for entering a specific sequence of dual tone multifrequency signals for redirecting said call to said network services complex.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 1 including a network control point having database subscriber records to obtain a routing number for the call and determining if said subscriber records indicate that said subscriber's call can be transferred from said primary location to said alternate destination.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 1 including means for updating a bill record generated for said first call to indicate redirection of said call to said alternate location.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
190 words
A system for completing telephone calls comprising means including a switch having an associated adjunct processor for routing a call from a calling party at a customer location to a redirecting party at a primary location, a voice response unit (VRU) positioned at said primary location and including means for receiving and processing dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) instruction signals, means in said adjunct processor for monitoring the call after it has been completed to said primary location for a redirection signal indicative to forward said call to an alternate destination, means in said adjunct processor for routing said call from said calling party to said primary location, and including means in said adjunct processor for transmitting to said voice response unit a series of dual tone multifrequency signals indicating the results of the attempted transfer to an alternate destination, so as to enable further, predetermined processing of said call such as transfer to a second alternate location, and including means for releasing said call legs to and from said adjunct processor while merging said call legs within said switch so as to conserve adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
190 words
A system for completing telephone calls comprising means including a switch having an associated adjunct processor for routing a call from a calling party at a customer location to a redirecting party at a primary location, a voice response unit (VRU) positioned at said primary location and including means for receiving and processing dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) instruction signals, means in said adjunct processor for monitoring the call after it has been completed to said primary location for a redirection signal indicative to forward said call to an alternate destination, means in said adjunct processor for routing said call from said calling party to said primary location, and including means in said adjunct processor for transmitting to said voice response unit a series of dual tone multifrequency signals indicating the results of the attempted transfer to an alternate destination, so as to enable further, predetermined processing of said call such as transfer to a second alternate location, and including means for releasing said call legs to and from said adjunct processor while merging said call legs within said switch so as to conserve adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
The system according to claim 11 wherein said adjunct processor includes means for routing said call from said calling party to said primary location through a first call leg between said switch and adjunct processor, and means for extending a second call from said adjunct processor through a second call leg extending between said adjunct processor, switch and said alternate destination, and including means for bridging said first and second call legs for completing said call from said calling party to said alternate location.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system according to claim 11 wherein said redirection signal is a touch tone sequence generated in said primary location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 11 including means for conferencing said calling party, said redirecting primary party and said alternate party before said adjunct processor legs are released.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system according to claim 11 including means at said primary location for entering a redirect number to said alternate location, and said adjunct processor includes means for disconnecting said primary location after said primary location has entered said redirect number and before said call between said calling party and said alternate party has been bridged.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system according to claim 11 including means at said primary location for entering a redirect number to said alternate location, and said adjunct processor includes means for disconnecting said primary location only after said alternate location is successfully bridged.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 11 wherein said alternate location comprises a network services complex (NSCX) having an announcement base of stored announcements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system according to claim 17 wherein said primary location includes means for entering a sequence of dual tone multifrequency signals for redirecting said call to said network services complex.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
The system according to claim 18 including a network control point having database subscriber records to obtain a routing number for the call and determine if said subscriber records indicate that said subscriber's call can be transferred from said primary location to said alternate destination.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system according to claim 11 including means for updating a bill record generated for said first call to indicate redirection of said call to said alternate location.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for completing telephone call comprising the steps of routing a call from a calling party at a customer location through a telephone switch having an adjunct processor to a redirecting party at a primary location, monitoring the call for a redirection signal indicative to forward the call to an alternate destination, routing the call from a first call leg from the calling party to the primary location through the adjunct processor and extending a second call leg from the adjunct processor through the switch to an alternate destination while bridging the first and second call legs while merging the legs within the switch for conserving adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls; including the step of transmitting to an automatic voice response unit at the primary location dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals indicative of the outcome of the transfer; and further including the step of generating a touch tone sequence in the adjunct processor corresponding to the redirection signal.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
161 words
A method for completing telephone call comprising the steps of routing a call from a calling party at a customer location through a telephone switch having an adjunct processor to a redirecting party at a primary location, monitoring the call for a redirection signal indicative to forward the call to an alternate destination, routing the call from a first call leg from the calling party to the primary location through the adjunct processor and extending a second call leg from the adjunct processor through the switch to an alternate destination while bridging the first and second call legs while merging the legs within the switch for conserving adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls; including the step of transmitting to an automatic voice response unit at the primary location dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals indicative of the outcome of the transfer; and further including the step of generating a touch tone sequence in the adjunct processor corresponding to the redirection signal.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 21 including the step of conferencing the calling party, the redirecting primary party and the alternate party before the adjunct legs are released.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 21 including the step of entering a redirect number to the alternate location, and disconnecting the primary location after the primary location has entered the redirect number and before the call between the calling party and the alternate party has been completely bridged.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 21 including the step of entering a redirect number to the alternate location, and disconnecting the primary location after the call to the alternate location is successfully bridged.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 21 including the step of redirecting the call to a network services complex (NSCX) having an announcement frame of stored announcements.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 25 including the step of entering a specific sequence of dual tone multifrequency signals for redirecting the call to the network services complex.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 21 including the step of obtaining a routing number from a database of subscriber records associated with a network control point and including the further step of determining if the subscriber record indicates that the call can be transferred from the primary location to the alternate location.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 21 including the step of updating a bill record generated for the first call to indicate redirection of the call to the alternate location.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for completing telephone calls comprising routing a call from a calling party at a customer location through a telephone switch having an adjunct processor to a voice response unit at a primary location, monitoring the call after it has been completed to the voice response unit at the primary location for a redirect signal indicative to forward the call to an alternate destination, routing the call through first call leg from the calling party through the adjunct processor to the primary location, and transmitting to the voice response unit from the adjunct processor a series of dual tone multifrequency signals (DTMF) indicating the results of the attempted transfer to an alternate destination so as to enable further, predetermined processing of the call such as transferring the call to a second, alternate destination, and including the step of routing the call from the calling party to the primary location through a first call leg extending between a switch and adjunct processor and extending the call from the adjunct processor through a second call leg extending between the adjunct processor the switch and the alternate destination, and bridging the first and second call legs for completing the call from the calling party to the alternate location, and including means for releasing said call legs to and from the adjunct processor while merging said call legs within said switch so as to conserve adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
239 words
A method for completing telephone calls comprising routing a call from a calling party at a customer location through a telephone switch having an adjunct processor to a voice response unit at a primary location, monitoring the call after it has been completed to the voice response unit at the primary location for a redirect signal indicative to forward the call to an alternate destination, routing the call through first call leg from the calling party through the adjunct processor to the primary location, and transmitting to the voice response unit from the adjunct processor a series of dual tone multifrequency signals (DTMF) indicating the results of the attempted transfer to an alternate destination so as to enable further, predetermined processing of the call such as transferring the call to a second, alternate destination, and including the step of routing the call from the calling party to the primary location through a first call leg extending between a switch and adjunct processor and extending the call from the adjunct processor through a second call leg extending between the adjunct processor the switch and the alternate destination, and bridging the first and second call legs for completing the call from the calling party to the alternate location, and including means for releasing said call legs to and from the adjunct processor while merging said call legs within said switch so as to conserve adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according to claim 29 including releasing the call legs to and from the adjunct processor while merging the two calls within the switch so as to conserve adjunct processor resources for further incoming calls, and wherein the outgoing all leg from the adjunct processor is released before the incoming call leg.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 30 including transmitting to an automatic voice response unit at the primary location dual tone multi frequency (DMTF) signals indicative of the outcome of the transfer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method according to claim 29 including the step of generating a touch tone sequence in the adjunct processor corresponding to the redirection signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 29 including the step of conferencing the calling party, the redirecting primary party and the alternate party before the adjunct processor legs are released.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method according to claim 29 including the step of entering a redirect number to the alternate location, and disconnecting the primary location after the primary location has entered the redirect number and before the call between the calling party and the alternate party has been completely bridged.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 29 including the step of entering a redirect number to the alternate location, and disconnecting the primary location after the primary location only after the alternate location is successfully bridged.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method according to claim 29 including the step of redirecting the call to a network services complex (NSCX) having an announcement frame of stored announcements.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 36 including the step of entering a specific sequence of dual tone multifrequency signals for redirecting the call to the network services complex.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method according to claim 29 including the step of obtaining a routing number from a database of subscriber records associated with a network control point and including the further step of determining if the subscriber record indicates that the call can be transferred from the primary location to the alternate location.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 29 including the step of updating a bill record generated for the first call to indicate redirection of the call to the alternate location.
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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) | 1999-12-31 | 2000-07-01 | 2000-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-12-31 | 2004-07-01 | 2004-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-12-31 | 2008-07-01 | 2008-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |