US5841837A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for processing telephone calls
Assignee: Aspect Communications Corp
•
Filing: 1995-05-11
•
Granted: 1998-11-24
•
Expires: 2015-05-11
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides method and apparatus processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user. Signals representative of telephone network addresses are stored in a memory. An incoming telephone call from a caller is processed, including communicating information to the caller indicating that the incoming call can be routed to any one of at least two telephone network addresses. The transmission by the caller of a command corresponding to the desired telephone network address is detected and, in response thereto, the incoming call is routed to a telephone network address represented in the memory corresponding to the command transmitted by the caller. Predetermined signals are generated, which to the caller indicate normal call processing operation, but which to the user indicate that the user can transmit a signal to gain access to system provided functions. Receipt of that signal from the user is detected, and, upon receipt of that signal, routing of the call to the telephone network address is terminated (if initiated) and instead the user is transferred to a system command mode.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert M. Fuller
- 👤 Frederick A. Epler
- 👤 Maxwell E. Manowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W4/00; H04W4/16; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/006; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/652; H04M1/658; H04M1/66; H04M1/663; H04M1/665; H04M11/00; H04M11/02; H04M11/022; H04M3/00; H04M3/38; H04M3/382; H04M3/42; H04M3/42229; H04M3/428; H04M3/436; H04M3/50; H04M3/527; H04M3/54; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04Q11/0435; H04Q11/0457; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04Q3/005; H04Q3/42; H04Q3/54; H04Q3/542; H04Q3/545; H04Q3/54508; H04Q3/54525; H04Q3/54541; H04Q3/54566; H04Q3/54575; H04Q3/54591; H04Q3/58; H04Q3/62; H04Q3/622; H04Q3/625; H04Q3/627; H04W76/00; H04W76/10; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/20; H04M2203/2005; H04M2203/2011; H04M2203/2072; H04M2242/00; H04M2242/22; H04M2242/30; H04M3/005; H04M3/42025; H04M3/42034; H04M3/42042; H04M3/42059; H04M3/42085; H04M3/42093; H04M3/42102; H04M3/487; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04M3/537; H04M3/56; H04Q2213/00; H04Q2213/1305; H04Q2213/13072; H04Q2213/13091; H04Q2213/13093; H04Q2213/13095; H04Q2213/13097; H04Q2213/13098; H04Q2213/13102; H04Q2213/13103; H04Q2213/13106; H04Q2213/13141; H04Q2213/1315; H04Q2213/13173; H04Q2213/13174; H04Q2213/13175; H04Q2213/1318; H04Q2213/13204; H04Q2213/13209; H04Q2213/13213; H04Q2213/13216; H04Q2213/1322; H04Q2213/13222; H04Q2213/13224; H04Q2213/1324; H04Q2213/1325; H04Q2213/13256; H04Q2213/1326; H04Q2213/13271; H04Q2213/13274; H04Q2213/13282; H04Q2213/13286; H04Q2213/13299; H04Q2213/13305; H04Q2213/1332; H04Q2213/13322; H04Q2213/13331; H04Q2213/13374; H04Q2213/13376; H04Q2213/13377; H04Q2213/13385; H04Q2213/13405; H04Q2213/13513; H04Q2213/13515; H04Q2213/13532; H04Q2213/13533; H04Q2213/13547; H04Q3/72; H04W4/12; H04W68/00; H04W68/12; H04W8/00; H04W8/02; H04W8/08; H04W8/16; H04W8/18; H04W84/00; H04W84/02; H04W84/022; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04W88/022; H04W88/18; H04W88/185; H04W92/00; H04W92/02; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S379/00; Y10S379/913
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) storing in a memory electronic signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses; (b) processing an incoming telephone call from a caller, including communicating information to said caller indicating that said incoming call can be routed to any one of at least two telephone network addresses, sensing the transmission by the caller of a command corresponding to the desired telephone network address and, responsive thereto, routing said incoming call to a telephone network address represented in said memory corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller, (c) generating predetermined signals which to the caller indicate normal call processing operation but to the user indicate that the user can transmit a signal to gain access to system provided functions; and (d) detecting receipt of the signal from the user, and, upon receipt of the signal, terminating, if initiated, routing of the call to the telephone network address and instead transferring the user to a system command mode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
174 words
A method of processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) storing in a memory electronic signals including signals representative of telephone network addresses; (b) processing an incoming telephone call from a caller, including communicating information to said caller indicating that said incoming call can be routed to any one of at least two telephone network addresses, sensing the transmission by the caller of a command corresponding to the desired telephone network address and, responsive thereto, routing said incoming call to a telephone network address represented in said memory corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller, (c) generating predetermined signals which to the caller indicate normal call processing operation but to the user indicate that the user can transmit a signal to gain access to system provided functions; and (d) detecting receipt of the signal from the user, and, upon receipt of the signal, terminating, if initiated, routing of the call to the telephone network address and instead transferring the user to a system command mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step of responding to said user transmitting a specific mode command by appropriately changing the present commanded mode by which subsequent incoming calls are directed to said user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said signal is an identification code entered by the user.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user, said apparatus comprising: (a) a memory for storing signals representative of telephone network addresses; (b) a call processor for processing an incoming telephone call from a caller, including communicating information to said caller indicating that said incoming call can be routed to any one of at least two telephone network addresses, sensing the transmission by the caller of a command corresponding to the desired telephone network address and, responsive thereto, routing said incoming call to a telephone network address represented in said memory corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller, (c) a device coupled to said call processor for generating signals which to the caller indicate normal call processing operation but to the user indicate that the user can transmit a signal to gain access to system provided functions; and (d) a signal detector coupled to said call processor for detecting receipt of the signal from the user, and, upon receipt of the signal, said call processor terminates, if initiated, routing of the call to the telephone network address and instead transfers the user to a system command mode.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
191 words
An apparatus for processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user, said apparatus comprising: (a) a memory for storing signals representative of telephone network addresses; (b) a call processor for processing an incoming telephone call from a caller, including communicating information to said caller indicating that said incoming call can be routed to any one of at least two telephone network addresses, sensing the transmission by the caller of a command corresponding to the desired telephone network address and, responsive thereto, routing said incoming call to a telephone network address represented in said memory corresponding to the command transmitted by said caller, (c) a device coupled to said call processor for generating signals which to the caller indicate normal call processing operation but to the user indicate that the user can transmit a signal to gain access to system provided functions; and (d) a signal detector coupled to said call processor for detecting receipt of the signal from the user, and, upon receipt of the signal, said call processor terminates, if initiated, routing of the call to the telephone network address and instead transfers the user to a system command mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: (e) said signal detector also detects a specific mode command signal input by the user, and (f) said call processor responds to the detected specific mode command signal by changing the present commanded mode by which the apparatus processes subsequent incoming calls directed to said user.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said signal is an identification code entered by the user.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) processing an incoming telephone call from a caller, including generating signals which to the caller indicate normal call processing operations but to the user indicate that the user can transmit a signal to gain access to system provided functions; and (b) detecting receipt of the signal from the user, and, upon receipt of the signal, terminating current call processing operations and instead transferring the user to a system command mode.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
88 words
A method of processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) processing an incoming telephone call from a caller, including generating signals which to the caller indicate normal call processing operations but to the user indicate that the user can transmit a signal to gain access to system provided functions; and (b) detecting receipt of the signal from the user, and, upon receipt of the signal, terminating current call processing operations and instead transferring the user to a system command mode.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 7, further including the step of responding to said user transmitting a specific mode command by appropriately changing the present commanded mode by which the system processes subsequent incoming calls directed to said user.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user, said apparatus comprising: (a) a call processor for processing an incoming telephone call from a caller and routing said incoming call to a telephone network address represented in said memory, (b) a signal generator coupled to said call processor for generating signals which to the caller indicate normal call processing operation but to the user indicate that the user can transmit a identification code to gain access to system provided functions; and (c) a signal detector coupled to said call processor for detecting receipt a valid identification code from the user, and, upon receipt of the valid identification code, said call processor terminates, if initiated, routing of the call to the telephone network address and instead transfers the user to a system command mode.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
135 words
An apparatus for processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user, said apparatus comprising: (a) a call processor for processing an incoming telephone call from a caller and routing said incoming call to a telephone network address represented in said memory, (b) a signal generator coupled to said call processor for generating signals which to the caller indicate normal call processing operation but to the user indicate that the user can transmit a identification code to gain access to system provided functions; and (c) a signal detector coupled to said call processor for detecting receipt a valid identification code from the user, and, upon receipt of the valid identification code, said call processor terminates, if initiated, routing of the call to the telephone network address and instead transfers the user to a system command mode.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: (d) said signal detector also detects a specific mode command signal input by the user, and (e) said call processor responds to the detected specific mode command signal by changing the present commanded mode by which the system processes subsequent incoming calls directed to said user.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of processing incoming telephone calls to directed to a user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) processing calls to the system directed to the user in a selected one of at least two different call processing modes, (b) implementing user call processing mode changes in response to predetermined command sequences; and (c) automatically transmitting a selected predetermined command sequence at a user controlled device.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
67 words
A method of processing incoming telephone calls to directed to a user, said method comprising the steps of: (a) processing calls to the system directed to the user in a selected one of at least two different call processing modes, (b) implementing user call processing mode changes in response to predetermined command sequences; and (c) automatically transmitting a selected predetermined command sequence at a user controlled device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
125 words
A control system for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising: input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls; switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line; memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals; and electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls in a selected one of at least two distinct call processing modes, including means for implementing user call processing mode changes responsive to predetermined command sequences and further including user controls which, when transmitted, automatically implement said predetermined command sequences.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
125 words
A control system for connection to a telephone network for receiving and processing calls from a caller to a user, the control system comprising: input/output means for connection to telephone network lines to input and output telephone calls; switching control means for controllably connecting a call on one line to a different line; memory means for controllably storing and recalling electronic signals; and electronic processing means for accessing said memory means and said switching control means to direct the flow of input and output calls in a selected one of at least two distinct call processing modes, including means for implementing user call processing mode changes responsive to predetermined command sequences and further including user controls which, when transmitted, automatically implement said predetermined command sequences.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user from a calling party, said method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting information regarding the telephone number at which the calling party is presently located; (b) processing an incoming telephone call from the calling party, including answering the call and transmitting a courtesy message to the calling party; (c) transmitting a page to a paging device having a display device, said page including the information regarding the telephone number at which the calling party is presently located for display on said display device.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
94 words
A method of processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user from a calling party, said method comprising the steps of: (a) collecting information regarding the telephone number at which the calling party is presently located; (b) processing an incoming telephone call from the calling party, including answering the call and transmitting a courtesy message to the calling party; (c) transmitting a page to a paging device having a display device, said page including the information regarding the telephone number at which the calling party is presently located for display on said display device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 further including the step of: (d) terminating the call from the calling party.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user from a calling party, said method comprising the steps of: (a) processing an incoming telephone call from the calling party; (b) accessing a memory to determine a telephone number the incoming call should be forwarded; (c) transmitting a page to a paging device associated with the user; (d) routing the incoming call to the accessed telephone number.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of processing incoming telephone calls directed to a user from a calling party, said method comprising the steps of: (a) processing an incoming telephone call from the calling party; (b) accessing a memory to determine a telephone number the incoming call should be forwarded; (c) transmitting a page to a paging device associated with the user; (d) routing the incoming call to the accessed telephone number.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 15 further including the steps of answering the incoming call and transmitting a courtesy message to the calling party.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3676603A
Cited
US3739329A
Cited
US3854013A
Cited
US3963873A
Cited
US4069397A
Cited
US3997731A
Cited
US4054756A
Cited
US4278844A
Cited
US4420656A
Cited
US4277649A
Cited
US4313035A
Cited
US4313025A
Cited
EP0046623A2
Cited
US4747124A
Cited
US4475009A
Cited
US4591664A
Cited
US4625081A
Cited
US4578540A
Cited
US4608458A
Cited
US4584434A
Cited
US4680785A
Cited
US4611096A
Cited
US4611094A
Cited
US4696028A
Cited
US4955047A
Cited
US4642425A
Cited
US4598179A
Cited
US4748655A
Cited
US4893335A
Cited
US5151929A
Cited
US4674115A
Cited
US4752951A
Cited
US5027384A
Cited
US4935958A
Cited
US4918725A
Cited
US5199062A
Cited
US4926462A
Cited
US4942598A
Cited
US5029196A
Cited
US5109405A
Cited
US4922490A
Cited
US4860347A
Cited
US4893329A
Cited
US5020095A
Cited
US4932042A
Cited
US5033079A
Cited
US5036535A
Cited
US5161181A
Cited
US5090051A
Cited
US5222120A
Cited
US5193110A
Cited
US5276731A
Cited
US5206900A
Cited
US5206900B1
Cited
US5222125A
Cited
US5384831A
Cited
US5327489A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-23 | 2002-05-25 | 2002-11-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-23 | 2006-05-25 | 2006-11-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-23 | 2010-05-25 | 2010-11-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |