US5999613A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and system for processing incoming calls during calls-in-progress
Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc
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Filing: 1997-09-25
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2017-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for processing an incoming call during a call-in-progress utilizes a communication station for detecting the incoming call from a new caller to a subscriber telephony device. The communication station determines whether the subscriber telephony device is busy on a call with a first telephony device. An adjunct processor then determines interruption information about the first telephony device which identifies whether or not the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted. The adjunct processor then generates a corresponding signal for receipt by the communication station based on whether or not the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted by the new caller.
Inventors
- 👤 Jafar S. Nabkel
- 👤 Adam N. Marx
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:43
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/66; H04M1/663; H04M1/665; H04M3/00; H04M3/20; H04M3/42; H04M3/428; H04M2242/00; H04M2242/06; H04M3/436
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for processing an incoming call during a call-in-progress, the method comprising: detecting the incoming call from a new caller to a subscriber telephony device; determining whether the subscriber telephony device is busy on a call with a first telephony device having an identification number; determining the identification number of the first telephony device when the subscriber telephony device is busy, for identifying whether or not the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted; generating one of a first and second interruption signal based on the identification number on the first telephony device.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for processing an incoming call during a call-in-progress, the method comprising: detecting the incoming call from a new caller to a subscriber telephony device; determining whether the subscriber telephony device is busy on a call with a first telephony device having an identification number; determining the identification number of the first telephony device when the subscriber telephony device is busy, for identifying whether or not the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted; generating one of a first and second interruption signal based on the identification number on the first telephony device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein determining the identification number includes determining an identity of the first telephony device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein determining the identity includes determining a telephone number of the first telephony device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 3 wherein determining the telephone number includes determining an automatic number identifier (ANI).
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 2 wherein determining the identity includes determining an Internet address or call identifier.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein generating the first and second interruption signals includes determining the identity of the new caller.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as recited in claim 6 wherein determining the identity of the new caller includes determining a telephone number of the new caller.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 7 wherein determining the telephone number includes determining an automatic number identifier (ANI).
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as recited in claim 7 wherein determining the telephone number includes prompting the new caller to enter a calling identification number.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 6 wherein determining the identity includes determining an Internet address or call identifier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method as recited in claim 6 wherein generating includes generating the first interruption signal for receipt by the new caller if the call-in-progress with the first telephony device cannot be interrupted based on the identity of the new caller.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein generating the first interruption signal includes generating a busy signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein generating the first interruption signal includes generating a voice announcement.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 11 wherein generating the first interruption signal includes generating a visual indicator signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method as recited in claim 6 wherein generating includes generating the second interruption signal for receipt by the new caller if the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 15 wherein generating the second interruption signal includes generating a ringing signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method as recited in claim 15 wherein generating the second interruption signal includes generating a second visual indicator signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as recited in claim 15 wherein generating the second interruption signal includes generating a second voice announcement prompting the new caller to indicate importance of the incoming call.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method as recited in claim 15 further comprising generating a third interruption signal for receipt by the subscriber telephony device.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the third interruption signal is a call waiting signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the third interruption signal is a third voice announcement.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method as recited in claim 19 wherein the third interruption signal is a third visual indicator signal.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for processing an incoming call during a call-in-progress, the system comprising: a communication station for detecting the incoming call from a new caller to a subscriber telephony device and determining whether the subscriber telephony device is busy on a call with a first telephony device having an identification number; an adjunct processor for determining the identification number of the first telephony device when the subscriber telephony device is busy, the identification number for identifying whether or not the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted, and for generating a corresponding processing signal; and the communication station for generating one of a first and second interruption signal based on the processing signal.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
115 words
A system for processing an incoming call during a call-in-progress, the system comprising: a communication station for detecting the incoming call from a new caller to a subscriber telephony device and determining whether the subscriber telephony device is busy on a call with a first telephony device having an identification number; an adjunct processor for determining the identification number of the first telephony device when the subscriber telephony device is busy, the identification number for identifying whether or not the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted, and for generating a corresponding processing signal; and the communication station for generating one of a first and second interruption signal based on the processing signal.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as recited in claim 23 wherein the adjunct processor, in determining the identification number, is further operative to instruct the communication station to determine an identity of the first telephony device.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as recited in claim 24 wherein the communication station, in determining the identity, is further operative to determine a telephone number of the first telephony device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as recited in claim 25 wherein the communication station, in determining the telephone number, is further operative to determine an automatic number identifier (ANI).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as recited in claim 24 wherein the communication station, in determining the identity, is further operative to determine an Internet address or call identifier.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as recited in claim 23 wherein the adjunct processor, in generating the processing signal, is further operative to instruct the communication station to determine the identity of the new caller.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as recited in claim 28 wherein the communication station, in determining the identity of the new caller, is further operative to determine a telephone number of the new caller.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as recited in claim 29 wherein the communication station, in determining the telephone number, is further operative to determine an automatic number identifier (ANI).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system as recited in claim 29 wherein the adjunct processor, in determining the telephone number, is further operative to prompt the new caller to enter a calling identification number.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as recited in claim 28 wherein the communication station, in determining the identity, is further operative to determine an Internet address or call identifier.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system as recited in claim 28 wherein the communication station, in generating one of the first and second interruption signals, is further operative to generate the first interruption signal for receipt by the new caller if the call-in-progress with the first telephony device cannot be interrupted based on the identity of the new caller.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 33 wherein the first interruption signal is a busy signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 33 wherein the first interruption signal is a voice announcement.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 33 wherein the first interruption signal is a visual indicator signal.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
47 words
The method as recited in claim 28 wherein the communication station, in generating one of the first and second interruption signals, is further operative to generate the second interruption signal for receipt by the new caller if the call-in-progress with the first telephony device can be interrupted.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system as recited in claim 37 wherein the second interruption signal is a ringing signal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 37 wherein the second interruption signal is a second visual indicator signal.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 37 wherein the second interruption signal is a second voice announcement.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as recited in claim 37 wherein the communication station, in generating the second interruption signal, is further operative to generate a third signal for receipt by the subscriber telephony device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 41 wherein the third interruption signal is a call waiting signal.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 42 wherein the third interruption signal is a third voice announcement.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system as recited in claim 42 wherein the third interruption signal is a third visual indicator signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-06 | 2003-06-07 | 2003-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | 2007-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-06 | 2011-06-07 | 2011-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |