CA2158833C - Method and system for managing telecommunications such as telephone calls - Google Patents
Method and system for managing telecommunications such as telephone callsInfo
- Publication number
- CA2158833C CA2158833C CA002158833A CA2158833A CA2158833C CA 2158833 C CA2158833 C CA 2158833C CA 002158833 A CA002158833 A CA 002158833A CA 2158833 A CA2158833 A CA 2158833A CA 2158833 C CA2158833 C CA 2158833C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- call
- message
- caller
- end user
- radio signal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W4/00—Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
- H04W4/16—Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/66—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers with means for preventing unauthorised or fraudulent calling
- H04M1/663—Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/42229—Personal communication services, i.e. services related to one subscriber independent of his terminal and/or location
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/436—Arrangements for screening incoming calls, i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/487—Arrangements for providing information services, e.g. recorded voice services or time announcements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/527—Centralised call answering arrangements not requiring operator intervention
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
- H04M1/57—Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2201/00—Electronic components, circuits, software, systems or apparatus used in telephone systems
- H04M2201/40—Electronic components, circuits, software, systems or apparatus used in telephone systems using speech recognition
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2201/00—Electronic components, circuits, software, systems or apparatus used in telephone systems
- H04M2201/60—Medium conversion
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M2203/10—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to the purpose or context of the telephonic communication
- H04M2203/1091—Fixed mobile conversion
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2242/00—Special services or facilities
- H04M2242/22—Automatic class or number identification arrangements
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/42025—Calling or Called party identification service
- H04M3/42034—Calling party identification service
- H04M3/42042—Notifying the called party of information on the calling party
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/42025—Calling or Called party identification service
- H04M3/42085—Called party identification service
- H04M3/42093—Notifying the calling party of information on the called or connected party
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/42025—Calling or Called party identification service
- H04M3/42085—Called party identification service
- H04M3/42102—Making use of the called party identifier
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
- H04M3/533—Voice mail systems
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/54—Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M7/00—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
- H04M7/12—Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04Q—SELECTING
- H04Q3/00—Selecting arrangements
- H04Q3/72—Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S379/00—Telephonic communications
- Y10S379/908—Multimedia
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. Using an out-of-band signaling/messaging path (16), the PIM (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. 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 wireline 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 to the caller in auditory form.
Description
WO9-11222~9 ~ 15~ 3 3 PCT/US9~/01706 METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR
MANAGING TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SUCH AS TELE~IONE CALLS
Technic~l Fiel-1 This invention relates to method and system for managing telecommunications and, in particular, to a method and system for managing telephone calls utiliz-ing two-way wireless or wireline messaging.
~.~I.v. olln~l Art The substantial increase in the use of pagers, car phones, cordlass telephones, and other wireless personal communication devices testifies to the fact that mobile communications is perceived by many to be an essential element of life in the l990's. However, even with the~e devices, many people are still effectively out of reach because callers do not know which of their many numbers to call.
Communications service providers have proposed a personal number calling or PNC solution to this problem: a personal phone with a ~ingle number. The interworking between the plethora of wireline and wireless networks that is required to allow all people to be rea~hed regardless of their location will take a number o~ years to accomplish.
In the short-term (i.e., the next one to five years), a number of interim solutions to this personal mobility problem are anticipated that will use adjunct proceR~ors and the existing wireline and wireless SUBSTITUT SHEEr (RULE 26) W~ ~4122259 ~ ~ PCTIUS94/01706 communications infrastructure to achieve the desired end-user functionality. In the longer term, some of these features will be incorporated into the public switched network through the Advanced ~ntelligent S Network (AIN), and into PBXs and other switches through software additions.
The issue of obtaining a physical connection between caller and called party is not the only problem that must be addressed. Informal re~earch on user attitudes about personal communications has revealed that the idea of being accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to anyone that knows your per~onal number is an anathema to even the most enthusiastic embracers of new technology. The problem: answering the phone can be a waste Or time and even annoying when you ar~ interrupted from something more important. This i~ one of the objectivcs of Personal Communications Networks, e.g.
"The difference with PCN will be the ability to maintain control without losing calls, screening them in real time so that important calls get through while others are deferred, but none are actuAlly lost." Thus, the problem i5 how does one allow people to be reachable anywhere and any time, but only by tho~e individuals that they want to reach them?
Studies of highly mobile individual~ (e.g., salQ~ peoplQ, doctors) show that a good secretary or ~e_e~ionist is the currently favored solution. Howev-er, good ~e~ ioni~ts are hard to find, relatively pen~ivQ to employ and not on duty 24 hours a day.
(RUL~ 26) w~s~/222ss ~ S 3 3 PCT/US94/0l706 Summary Of The Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a knowledge-based method and system that auto-mates the receptionist functionality -- specifically, the ability to make and receive calls on behalf of a called party, and the ability to intelligently screen and route calls in real-time to a highly mobile called party while also allowing the called party to return a message such as a text message.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system which:
determines the name of the person calling;
make~ a judgment on whether this call i5 of suffi-cient importance that the per~on being called, the called party, should be notified that there is a call waiting and, if 80;
locate the client (at work, in his or her car, athome, etc.) and relay the name of the caller; and carry out the called party'~ wishes by the use of out-of-band, two-way messaging: connect the call, route to a colleague, or take a message.
Still another object of the present invention i~ to provide a method and system which an~wers the telephone promptly, is courteou~, provides accurate information to the caller and the called party, does not keep caller~ waiting for any appreciable time and performs the requested actions reliably by the use of out-of-band, two-way messaging.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system which SU~âTITlJTE SH~ET (RULE 26) WO9~/222~ 5~ ~ ~ PCT/US94/01706 performs directory lookup and call transfer services when the called party is traveling by the use of out-of-band, two-way messaging.
In carrying out the above objects and other objects of the present invention, a method is provided for managing telecommunications such as a telephone call from a caller to an end user. The method includes the step of receiving the telephone call from the caller.
The telephone call includes caller identification information. The method also includes the steps of transmitting a first radio signal based on the caller identification information to a computer having a display screen and receiving the first radio signal. In addition, the method includes the steps of presenting a first message identifying the caller and displaying objects on the display screen. Each object represents a function which may be performed by the user in re-sponse to the call. The method further includes the step of receiving user selecting dat~. The user selec-ting data represents a ~alection of on~ of the objectsby the end user to identify the function to be performed in respon~Q to ths call. Finally, the method includes the steps of transmitting a second radio signal repre-senting a second message identifying the function to be performed, and proc~ssing th~ second message in response to said second radio signal to perform the function identified.
Preferably, the second message includes a text message and wherein the method further comprises the step of converting the text messag~ to a ~ h message so that the caller can hear the speech message.
SUBSTITIJTE S~Fr (RULE 26~
wos~l2225s ~15 ~ 8 3 3 PCT/USg4/01706 Further in carrying out the above objects and other objects of the invention, a system is provided for carrying out each of the above method steps.
The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the in.vention when taken in connection with the accompAnying drawings.
Rrief rlescription Of The nr~win~c FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the system of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a block diagram flow chart illus-trating th~ personal telephone manager (PTM) of the present invention;
FlGURE 3 is a block diagram flow chart illus-trating th~ palm-top application ~oylam of the present invention;
FIGURE 4 i5 a schematic view of a call an-nouncement screQn on the palm-top computer of the pr~ent invention;
FIGURE 5 is a schematic view illustrating a main personal communicator ~L 0~ ~m that may be run on thQ palm-top computer whil~ the unit is awaiting incom-ing telephone management messages;
FIGURE 6 is a schematic view of a confirmatory screen of the palm-top computer and a second message;
~BS I ITl)T~ SHEEr (RULE 26) WOYJ/22259 ~ / ~ ~ ~ 3 3 PCT/U594/0170C
FIGURE 7 is a schematic view of a confirmatory screen of the palm-top computer and a second message;
FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of a reply message entry screen of the palm-top computer;
FIGURE 9 is a schematic view of a personal message screen of the palm-top computer;
FIGURE lO is a schematic view of a transfer screen of the palm-top computer; and FIGURE ll is a schematic view of a transfer call address book of the palm-top computer.
Rest Mode For ~ Ol-t The ~ tion ov-rvi~w Of T~- M-~ 8YSt-~
The method ~nd system of the present invention manages tel~communications between a called party and a calling party through the use of an out-of-band, wire-less, two-way ~ignaling, messaging and alerting. In this way, th~ method and system enable~ a nomadic called party to screen, select, and receive call~ and exchange messag~ with caller~ independent of location.
As illu~trated in Figure l, the system oper-ates in combination with a public local ~ch~nge tele-phone network lO, a software application ~L G~am called a personAl telephone man~ger 12 (PTM) which runs on a computer platform 14, a radio networ~ 16 such ag the RAM
Mobile Data wireless network, a radio modem (not shown) such as the GE-Ericsson Mobidem, and a palm-top computer wos~/222s~ _7_ PCT/US~4/01706 18, such as the Fujitsu Personal Systems PoqetPad or Poqet Prime. The called party, through use of the palm-top personal computer 18 equipped with wireless communi-cation capability, can be alerted of incoming telephone calls and selectively route the calls to a telephone 20 to his or her current location.
.
Figure l, in combination with Figure 2, depict how telephone calls initiated at a telephone 22 are processed and routed to the called party or end user.
A call to the end user is routed by the public local exchange network lO to the platform 14 where it is pro-cessed by the PTM 12.
Upon receiving an incoming call at block 24, the PTM 12 reads and dqro~s automatic number identi-fication information at block 26 and consults the enduser's personal data base to translate the calling number information into the name of tha caller. In the event that calling number information cannot be obtained te.g. call from outside the local calling area or a call block fQAture i8 invoked on the caller's line), the PTM
12 per2its the caller to enter his or her number using the keypad on the telephone 22, followed by the "#"
symbol .
The PTM 12 then attempts to locate the end user and alert him/her of the incoming call after the calling party i8 first screened against a personal profile, at block 28, maintain-~ in the datahA~. If the decision is made not to make the connection, at block 28, the calling p_rty is connected to voice mail or messaging at block 29. If the end user is not available at his/her normal wireline phone, at block 30, SUBST5TUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO9~/22259 -8- PCTIUS94101706 a decision is made whether or not to try to locate the called party based on the personal profile.
At block 30, the location of the end user is checked and if the end user is available thereat, the call is transferred at block 31. If the end user is not available at a phone, at block 32, the calling party is put on hold.
The PTM 12 delivers the caller's name and number to the end user'~ palm-top computer 18 via the radio network 16 and the Ericsson Mobidem by broadcast-ing or transmitting this messagQ as indicated at block 32. In particular, software in the PTM 12 constructs a data packet containing information about the caller and the RAM network address of the end user. This packet is sent to the RAM gateway using Internet IP addressing and UDP protocol. The RAM gateway recaive6 the packet from the PTM 12, translates the end user RAM network address to a phy~ical addras~ in the radio network 16, and route~ tha ~essage packet to the a~pLG~iate radio node.
The pack~t i8 then transmitted via th~ wireless link protocol and, as indicated at block 34 in Figure 3, is received by tha Ericcson-GE Mobidem, which in turn, alerts tha palm-top computer 18 of the arrival of a packet at block 36. At block 36, the current palm-top application is interrupted which may be an application such as thosQ illustrated on the screen of Figure 5.
At block 38 in Figure 2, a determination is made as to whether a return messagQ is received. Tf it wasn't received, then block 40 is entered where an announcement is played to the caller and the call is ~UBST~TU~L SHE T (RULE ~6) W~/22259 215 8 8 3 3 PCT/US9~/0l706 transferred to voice mail. If received, block 42 is entered.
The palm-top based application program responds to the arrival of the packet by issuing an alerting tone and displaying the name and number of the caller to the end user as indicated at block 36 in Figure 3 and as illustrated in Figure 4 Also, the options to control the telephone call are displayed on the computer 18. In other words, the palm-top based application program on the computer 18 displays the name and number of the caller to the end user, who can use the information to decide how to respond to the call.
As described in detail herein below, the called party selects a desired re~pon~e or reply message in respon~ to prompts generated by the palm-top appli-cation ~L~Lam. The respon~e mQ~sagQ may include a telephone number, text and/or a name. At block 44, the called party transmit~ the respon~Q message back to the radio n~oLh 16 which, in turn, communicates the Le~Gl~sQ m~age to the PTM 12. At block 42 in Figure 2, the PTM 12 reads the attempt~ to carry out any commAnds in the responsQ message.
The end user's options include:
Send a m~s~age back to the PTM 12 with routing in-structions such as illu~trated on the screen of F$gure 6 (e.g. "route the call to my current loca-tionn), ~nd the P~M 12 will connect the caller to the phone 20 at the user' 5 current location as indicated at block 44, or 30 Send a message back instructing the PTM 12 to reject the call (not shown), or ~B~ ~ ~7~ UTE SI~E~T (RllLE 26) wo gJe2259 ~/~ ~ ~3 ~ PCT/U594/01706 Send a message back instructing the PTM 12 to routethe call to voice mail as indicated at block 46, or Send a message back instructing the PTM 12 to routethe call to a different person such as illustrated on the screen of Figure 7 (e.g., the user's secre-tary) and as indicated at block 47, or Send a tex~ message back to the caller with specialinstructions (e.g., "Call me back in 15 minutes") as indicated at block 48 and the screens of Figures 8 and 9. If this option is used, the PTM 12 converts the reply message from text to speech as indicated at block 50 in Figure 2, so the caller can hear it.
For each of these options, the end user inter-acts with the palm-top computer 18 either by entering information via a keyboard 19 in response to a menu on the palm-up display screen 21, or through use of a stylus input tool in response to graphical prompts displayed on the palm-top screen 21. In either case, the appl~cation software in the palm-top computer 18 ca~L~ the end u~er's input and constructs a packet for transmi~s$on back to the PTM 12 via the radio network 16 as indicated at coLLe~onding blocks 52, 54, 56 and 58 in Figure 3. The application software addres~e~ the reply packet to the caller in such a way that it i~ routed by the radio network 16 to the Internet gateway, where the a~o~iate IP address is used to route the packet to the PTM 12. When the reply packet is received by the PTM 12, the message is pro-ce~ and the instructions of the end user are executed as indicated at block 42 of Figure 2.
SU~S~E~-U~E SHEE~ (RUL~ 26) w~s~t22259 ~15 8 ~ ~ 3 PCT/US94/0l706 As indicated at block 60 in Figure 3 and the screens of Figures 6 and 7, the called party is given the chance to review a selected option before the constructed packet is sent to the wireless network 16 as indicated at block 45.
If the user decides to accept the call, the PTM, through the platform 14, will instruct the local exchange network 10 to dial the number associated with the user's current location, and connect the caller and user as indicated at block 62 in Figure 2. As illus-trated in figure 10, the telephone number of the end user's current location is entered into the palm-top computer 18 and provided to the PTM 12 in the message carried on the radio network 16.
In the event that the end user elects to reject the call, the caller will be told by the PTM 12 through use of a stored audio message that the user is not available.
If the end uaer selected the voice mail option, the PTM 12 will tran~fer th~ caller to the end U8er ~ 8 voice m~il sy~tem as indicated at block 64.
A~ also indicated at block 62 and in Figure 11, if the end user decides to re-route the caller to another number, the end user can either provide the PTM
12 with the numb~r of th~ call designation, or with the name of the designated recipient (e.g., "my secretary") and the PTM 12 will acces~ information stored in the end user's personal profile to determine the appropriate routing number.
h ~ E ,~H~ET (P~L~
WO9~/22259 PCT/US94/01706 2~833 -12- -A data base containing information records of frequently called numbers (i.e. personalized phone book) may be provided. A number from the data base can be selected as a destination number for the transfer of the call.
Finally, if the end user chooses to send the caller a message as indicated at block 66, he/she can (a) choose among several pre-recorded messages (recorded in a human voice and stored in the PTM 12), as indicated by block 68 Figure 8 or (b) aa indicted by Figure 9, enter a message on the palm-top computer 18 that will be transmitted over the radio network 16, converted to speech by the PTM 12, and delivered to the caller by the local exchange telephone network 10 as indicated at block 50.
As described above, the palm-top computer 18 alerts the end u~er and supports the interactions needed to screen and route incoming calls. The palm-top application progr~m interfaces to the GE-Ericsson Mobidem, sY~h~nging mes~ages to and from the radio net-work 16, and also interfaces with the end user. The application 5~OL~g two type~ of user input interfaces:
key board input and stylus input.
End user application ~o~ams for key board and stylus-based palm-top comput~rs operate similarly.
A mcs~ag~ rec~ived by the Mobidem i8 ~L OC 9 ~ ~ ~ by the palm-top application ~G~am, which provides the end user with a graphical display and an audible tone announcing the incoming call. The call announcement screen for the stylus-baced palm-top, shown in Figure 4, advises the end user of the name and number of the W094/22259 215 8 8 3 ~ PCT/US94/01706 caller and provides prompts for the various call dispo-sition options (e.g., "route call to me", ~transfer call to voice mail", etc.).
The end user selects an option (either using the stylus of the pen-based palm-top computer or key strokes on the key board based palm-top computer 18), and the application then provides the graphical screen appropriate for the selection. For the stylus-based palm-top computer, selection of each response option results in a new graphical display. If the end user selects the option "transfer call to phone number ...", the application provide~ choices including selection of the routing number from a library of pre-stored numbers as illustrated in Figure ll or the entry of the number associated with the end u~er's current location. If the end user chooses to enter a number, either the key board or the stylus can be used. For stylus-based input, the palm-top computer u~es handwriting recognition to convert the input to st~n~rd machine readable (ASCII) format and display the converted information to the end user before sQndinq it back to the PTM 12 as illustrated in Figure lO. Furthermore, the "Forward Call to" option can be u~ed to update the last user location.
If the end user elects to send a reply mes-sage, the application offers the option of choosingbetween ~everal predefined message~ as illustrated in Figure 8 or entry of a new per~onal message as illus-trated in Figure 9. The end user can create and store predefined me~sages with variable parameters (e.g., "call me back in X minutes") and enter the parameter value in response to the incoming call. This feature provide~ convenience for frequently used responses.
~'Jt~ U~ r ~ ~RUL~26) W094/22259 PCT/US9~/0l706 215~83~ -14- -Other response options result in similar interactions with the end user. In all cases, the end user is prompted on what actions can be taken and also given the opportunity to review the selected response, make changes, or cancel the reply as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.
The specific implementation described above is limited in functionality by the availability of commer-cial networks and terminal equipment. The PTM 12 may exploit emerging technologies to overcome a variety of limitations. Improvements suggested by experience with the current implementation include:
1. Integration of the radio modem and the palm-top computer 18. As described above, the radio modem and the palm-top computer 18 are separate units. A more suitable implementa-tion would be achieved by including the radio modem in the palm-top computer 18 and reducing tha size of the combined unit to fit in the and user's pocket or purse.
2. Use of alternative radio networks. In the present system, wireless connectivity is preferably provided by the RAM network. A
more optimal implementation would allow the end user to communicate with the PTM 12 via alternative wireless nQtwork providers. The PTM 12, the radio modem and the application software in the user terminal would be agile and capable of responding to different proto-cols.
S~TlTlJ~i ~HE~T(RULE26) w~9~/222ss ~ 8 3 3 PCT/US94/0l706 3. Use of speech-to-text conversion or voice recognition, such as template matching, to identify the cailer. As described above, the PTM 12 identifies the caller by calling num-ber, provided either by the local exchange network 12 or explicitly keyed in by the caller. A more optimal implementation would enable the caller to speak to the PTM 12 and the information would be translated to text for call screening either by the PTM 12 or for transmission as text to the end user.
MANAGING TELECOMMUNICATIONS
SUCH AS TELE~IONE CALLS
Technic~l Fiel-1 This invention relates to method and system for managing telecommunications and, in particular, to a method and system for managing telephone calls utiliz-ing two-way wireless or wireline messaging.
~.~I.v. olln~l Art The substantial increase in the use of pagers, car phones, cordlass telephones, and other wireless personal communication devices testifies to the fact that mobile communications is perceived by many to be an essential element of life in the l990's. However, even with the~e devices, many people are still effectively out of reach because callers do not know which of their many numbers to call.
Communications service providers have proposed a personal number calling or PNC solution to this problem: a personal phone with a ~ingle number. The interworking between the plethora of wireline and wireless networks that is required to allow all people to be rea~hed regardless of their location will take a number o~ years to accomplish.
In the short-term (i.e., the next one to five years), a number of interim solutions to this personal mobility problem are anticipated that will use adjunct proceR~ors and the existing wireline and wireless SUBSTITUT SHEEr (RULE 26) W~ ~4122259 ~ ~ PCTIUS94/01706 communications infrastructure to achieve the desired end-user functionality. In the longer term, some of these features will be incorporated into the public switched network through the Advanced ~ntelligent S Network (AIN), and into PBXs and other switches through software additions.
The issue of obtaining a physical connection between caller and called party is not the only problem that must be addressed. Informal re~earch on user attitudes about personal communications has revealed that the idea of being accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to anyone that knows your per~onal number is an anathema to even the most enthusiastic embracers of new technology. The problem: answering the phone can be a waste Or time and even annoying when you ar~ interrupted from something more important. This i~ one of the objectivcs of Personal Communications Networks, e.g.
"The difference with PCN will be the ability to maintain control without losing calls, screening them in real time so that important calls get through while others are deferred, but none are actuAlly lost." Thus, the problem i5 how does one allow people to be reachable anywhere and any time, but only by tho~e individuals that they want to reach them?
Studies of highly mobile individual~ (e.g., salQ~ peoplQ, doctors) show that a good secretary or ~e_e~ionist is the currently favored solution. Howev-er, good ~e~ ioni~ts are hard to find, relatively pen~ivQ to employ and not on duty 24 hours a day.
(RUL~ 26) w~s~/222ss ~ S 3 3 PCT/US94/0l706 Summary Of The Invention An object of the present invention is to provide a knowledge-based method and system that auto-mates the receptionist functionality -- specifically, the ability to make and receive calls on behalf of a called party, and the ability to intelligently screen and route calls in real-time to a highly mobile called party while also allowing the called party to return a message such as a text message.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system which:
determines the name of the person calling;
make~ a judgment on whether this call i5 of suffi-cient importance that the per~on being called, the called party, should be notified that there is a call waiting and, if 80;
locate the client (at work, in his or her car, athome, etc.) and relay the name of the caller; and carry out the called party'~ wishes by the use of out-of-band, two-way messaging: connect the call, route to a colleague, or take a message.
Still another object of the present invention i~ to provide a method and system which an~wers the telephone promptly, is courteou~, provides accurate information to the caller and the called party, does not keep caller~ waiting for any appreciable time and performs the requested actions reliably by the use of out-of-band, two-way messaging.
Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a method and system which SU~âTITlJTE SH~ET (RULE 26) WO9~/222~ 5~ ~ ~ PCT/US94/01706 performs directory lookup and call transfer services when the called party is traveling by the use of out-of-band, two-way messaging.
In carrying out the above objects and other objects of the present invention, a method is provided for managing telecommunications such as a telephone call from a caller to an end user. The method includes the step of receiving the telephone call from the caller.
The telephone call includes caller identification information. The method also includes the steps of transmitting a first radio signal based on the caller identification information to a computer having a display screen and receiving the first radio signal. In addition, the method includes the steps of presenting a first message identifying the caller and displaying objects on the display screen. Each object represents a function which may be performed by the user in re-sponse to the call. The method further includes the step of receiving user selecting dat~. The user selec-ting data represents a ~alection of on~ of the objectsby the end user to identify the function to be performed in respon~Q to ths call. Finally, the method includes the steps of transmitting a second radio signal repre-senting a second message identifying the function to be performed, and proc~ssing th~ second message in response to said second radio signal to perform the function identified.
Preferably, the second message includes a text message and wherein the method further comprises the step of converting the text messag~ to a ~ h message so that the caller can hear the speech message.
SUBSTITIJTE S~Fr (RULE 26~
wos~l2225s ~15 ~ 8 3 3 PCT/USg4/01706 Further in carrying out the above objects and other objects of the invention, a system is provided for carrying out each of the above method steps.
The above objects and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the best mode for carrying out the in.vention when taken in connection with the accompAnying drawings.
Rrief rlescription Of The nr~win~c FIGURE 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the system of the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a block diagram flow chart illus-trating th~ personal telephone manager (PTM) of the present invention;
FlGURE 3 is a block diagram flow chart illus-trating th~ palm-top application ~oylam of the present invention;
FIGURE 4 i5 a schematic view of a call an-nouncement screQn on the palm-top computer of the pr~ent invention;
FIGURE 5 is a schematic view illustrating a main personal communicator ~L 0~ ~m that may be run on thQ palm-top computer whil~ the unit is awaiting incom-ing telephone management messages;
FIGURE 6 is a schematic view of a confirmatory screen of the palm-top computer and a second message;
~BS I ITl)T~ SHEEr (RULE 26) WOYJ/22259 ~ / ~ ~ ~ 3 3 PCT/U594/0170C
FIGURE 7 is a schematic view of a confirmatory screen of the palm-top computer and a second message;
FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of a reply message entry screen of the palm-top computer;
FIGURE 9 is a schematic view of a personal message screen of the palm-top computer;
FIGURE lO is a schematic view of a transfer screen of the palm-top computer; and FIGURE ll is a schematic view of a transfer call address book of the palm-top computer.
Rest Mode For ~ Ol-t The ~ tion ov-rvi~w Of T~- M-~ 8YSt-~
The method ~nd system of the present invention manages tel~communications between a called party and a calling party through the use of an out-of-band, wire-less, two-way ~ignaling, messaging and alerting. In this way, th~ method and system enable~ a nomadic called party to screen, select, and receive call~ and exchange messag~ with caller~ independent of location.
As illu~trated in Figure l, the system oper-ates in combination with a public local ~ch~nge tele-phone network lO, a software application ~L G~am called a personAl telephone man~ger 12 (PTM) which runs on a computer platform 14, a radio networ~ 16 such ag the RAM
Mobile Data wireless network, a radio modem (not shown) such as the GE-Ericsson Mobidem, and a palm-top computer wos~/222s~ _7_ PCT/US~4/01706 18, such as the Fujitsu Personal Systems PoqetPad or Poqet Prime. The called party, through use of the palm-top personal computer 18 equipped with wireless communi-cation capability, can be alerted of incoming telephone calls and selectively route the calls to a telephone 20 to his or her current location.
.
Figure l, in combination with Figure 2, depict how telephone calls initiated at a telephone 22 are processed and routed to the called party or end user.
A call to the end user is routed by the public local exchange network lO to the platform 14 where it is pro-cessed by the PTM 12.
Upon receiving an incoming call at block 24, the PTM 12 reads and dqro~s automatic number identi-fication information at block 26 and consults the enduser's personal data base to translate the calling number information into the name of tha caller. In the event that calling number information cannot be obtained te.g. call from outside the local calling area or a call block fQAture i8 invoked on the caller's line), the PTM
12 per2its the caller to enter his or her number using the keypad on the telephone 22, followed by the "#"
symbol .
The PTM 12 then attempts to locate the end user and alert him/her of the incoming call after the calling party i8 first screened against a personal profile, at block 28, maintain-~ in the datahA~. If the decision is made not to make the connection, at block 28, the calling p_rty is connected to voice mail or messaging at block 29. If the end user is not available at his/her normal wireline phone, at block 30, SUBST5TUTE SHEET (RULE 26) WO9~/22259 -8- PCTIUS94101706 a decision is made whether or not to try to locate the called party based on the personal profile.
At block 30, the location of the end user is checked and if the end user is available thereat, the call is transferred at block 31. If the end user is not available at a phone, at block 32, the calling party is put on hold.
The PTM 12 delivers the caller's name and number to the end user'~ palm-top computer 18 via the radio network 16 and the Ericsson Mobidem by broadcast-ing or transmitting this messagQ as indicated at block 32. In particular, software in the PTM 12 constructs a data packet containing information about the caller and the RAM network address of the end user. This packet is sent to the RAM gateway using Internet IP addressing and UDP protocol. The RAM gateway recaive6 the packet from the PTM 12, translates the end user RAM network address to a phy~ical addras~ in the radio network 16, and route~ tha ~essage packet to the a~pLG~iate radio node.
The pack~t i8 then transmitted via th~ wireless link protocol and, as indicated at block 34 in Figure 3, is received by tha Ericcson-GE Mobidem, which in turn, alerts tha palm-top computer 18 of the arrival of a packet at block 36. At block 36, the current palm-top application is interrupted which may be an application such as thosQ illustrated on the screen of Figure 5.
At block 38 in Figure 2, a determination is made as to whether a return messagQ is received. Tf it wasn't received, then block 40 is entered where an announcement is played to the caller and the call is ~UBST~TU~L SHE T (RULE ~6) W~/22259 215 8 8 3 3 PCT/US9~/0l706 transferred to voice mail. If received, block 42 is entered.
The palm-top based application program responds to the arrival of the packet by issuing an alerting tone and displaying the name and number of the caller to the end user as indicated at block 36 in Figure 3 and as illustrated in Figure 4 Also, the options to control the telephone call are displayed on the computer 18. In other words, the palm-top based application program on the computer 18 displays the name and number of the caller to the end user, who can use the information to decide how to respond to the call.
As described in detail herein below, the called party selects a desired re~pon~e or reply message in respon~ to prompts generated by the palm-top appli-cation ~L~Lam. The respon~e mQ~sagQ may include a telephone number, text and/or a name. At block 44, the called party transmit~ the respon~Q message back to the radio n~oLh 16 which, in turn, communicates the Le~Gl~sQ m~age to the PTM 12. At block 42 in Figure 2, the PTM 12 reads the attempt~ to carry out any commAnds in the responsQ message.
The end user's options include:
Send a m~s~age back to the PTM 12 with routing in-structions such as illu~trated on the screen of F$gure 6 (e.g. "route the call to my current loca-tionn), ~nd the P~M 12 will connect the caller to the phone 20 at the user' 5 current location as indicated at block 44, or 30 Send a message back instructing the PTM 12 to reject the call (not shown), or ~B~ ~ ~7~ UTE SI~E~T (RllLE 26) wo gJe2259 ~/~ ~ ~3 ~ PCT/U594/01706 Send a message back instructing the PTM 12 to routethe call to voice mail as indicated at block 46, or Send a message back instructing the PTM 12 to routethe call to a different person such as illustrated on the screen of Figure 7 (e.g., the user's secre-tary) and as indicated at block 47, or Send a tex~ message back to the caller with specialinstructions (e.g., "Call me back in 15 minutes") as indicated at block 48 and the screens of Figures 8 and 9. If this option is used, the PTM 12 converts the reply message from text to speech as indicated at block 50 in Figure 2, so the caller can hear it.
For each of these options, the end user inter-acts with the palm-top computer 18 either by entering information via a keyboard 19 in response to a menu on the palm-up display screen 21, or through use of a stylus input tool in response to graphical prompts displayed on the palm-top screen 21. In either case, the appl~cation software in the palm-top computer 18 ca~L~ the end u~er's input and constructs a packet for transmi~s$on back to the PTM 12 via the radio network 16 as indicated at coLLe~onding blocks 52, 54, 56 and 58 in Figure 3. The application software addres~e~ the reply packet to the caller in such a way that it i~ routed by the radio network 16 to the Internet gateway, where the a~o~iate IP address is used to route the packet to the PTM 12. When the reply packet is received by the PTM 12, the message is pro-ce~ and the instructions of the end user are executed as indicated at block 42 of Figure 2.
SU~S~E~-U~E SHEE~ (RUL~ 26) w~s~t22259 ~15 8 ~ ~ 3 PCT/US94/0l706 As indicated at block 60 in Figure 3 and the screens of Figures 6 and 7, the called party is given the chance to review a selected option before the constructed packet is sent to the wireless network 16 as indicated at block 45.
If the user decides to accept the call, the PTM, through the platform 14, will instruct the local exchange network 10 to dial the number associated with the user's current location, and connect the caller and user as indicated at block 62 in Figure 2. As illus-trated in figure 10, the telephone number of the end user's current location is entered into the palm-top computer 18 and provided to the PTM 12 in the message carried on the radio network 16.
In the event that the end user elects to reject the call, the caller will be told by the PTM 12 through use of a stored audio message that the user is not available.
If the end uaer selected the voice mail option, the PTM 12 will tran~fer th~ caller to the end U8er ~ 8 voice m~il sy~tem as indicated at block 64.
A~ also indicated at block 62 and in Figure 11, if the end user decides to re-route the caller to another number, the end user can either provide the PTM
12 with the numb~r of th~ call designation, or with the name of the designated recipient (e.g., "my secretary") and the PTM 12 will acces~ information stored in the end user's personal profile to determine the appropriate routing number.
h ~ E ,~H~ET (P~L~
WO9~/22259 PCT/US94/01706 2~833 -12- -A data base containing information records of frequently called numbers (i.e. personalized phone book) may be provided. A number from the data base can be selected as a destination number for the transfer of the call.
Finally, if the end user chooses to send the caller a message as indicated at block 66, he/she can (a) choose among several pre-recorded messages (recorded in a human voice and stored in the PTM 12), as indicated by block 68 Figure 8 or (b) aa indicted by Figure 9, enter a message on the palm-top computer 18 that will be transmitted over the radio network 16, converted to speech by the PTM 12, and delivered to the caller by the local exchange telephone network 10 as indicated at block 50.
As described above, the palm-top computer 18 alerts the end u~er and supports the interactions needed to screen and route incoming calls. The palm-top application progr~m interfaces to the GE-Ericsson Mobidem, sY~h~nging mes~ages to and from the radio net-work 16, and also interfaces with the end user. The application 5~OL~g two type~ of user input interfaces:
key board input and stylus input.
End user application ~o~ams for key board and stylus-based palm-top comput~rs operate similarly.
A mcs~ag~ rec~ived by the Mobidem i8 ~L OC 9 ~ ~ ~ by the palm-top application ~G~am, which provides the end user with a graphical display and an audible tone announcing the incoming call. The call announcement screen for the stylus-baced palm-top, shown in Figure 4, advises the end user of the name and number of the W094/22259 215 8 8 3 ~ PCT/US94/01706 caller and provides prompts for the various call dispo-sition options (e.g., "route call to me", ~transfer call to voice mail", etc.).
The end user selects an option (either using the stylus of the pen-based palm-top computer or key strokes on the key board based palm-top computer 18), and the application then provides the graphical screen appropriate for the selection. For the stylus-based palm-top computer, selection of each response option results in a new graphical display. If the end user selects the option "transfer call to phone number ...", the application provide~ choices including selection of the routing number from a library of pre-stored numbers as illustrated in Figure ll or the entry of the number associated with the end u~er's current location. If the end user chooses to enter a number, either the key board or the stylus can be used. For stylus-based input, the palm-top computer u~es handwriting recognition to convert the input to st~n~rd machine readable (ASCII) format and display the converted information to the end user before sQndinq it back to the PTM 12 as illustrated in Figure lO. Furthermore, the "Forward Call to" option can be u~ed to update the last user location.
If the end user elects to send a reply mes-sage, the application offers the option of choosingbetween ~everal predefined message~ as illustrated in Figure 8 or entry of a new per~onal message as illus-trated in Figure 9. The end user can create and store predefined me~sages with variable parameters (e.g., "call me back in X minutes") and enter the parameter value in response to the incoming call. This feature provide~ convenience for frequently used responses.
~'Jt~ U~ r ~ ~RUL~26) W094/22259 PCT/US9~/0l706 215~83~ -14- -Other response options result in similar interactions with the end user. In all cases, the end user is prompted on what actions can be taken and also given the opportunity to review the selected response, make changes, or cancel the reply as illustrated in Figures 6 and 7.
The specific implementation described above is limited in functionality by the availability of commer-cial networks and terminal equipment. The PTM 12 may exploit emerging technologies to overcome a variety of limitations. Improvements suggested by experience with the current implementation include:
1. Integration of the radio modem and the palm-top computer 18. As described above, the radio modem and the palm-top computer 18 are separate units. A more suitable implementa-tion would be achieved by including the radio modem in the palm-top computer 18 and reducing tha size of the combined unit to fit in the and user's pocket or purse.
2. Use of alternative radio networks. In the present system, wireless connectivity is preferably provided by the RAM network. A
more optimal implementation would allow the end user to communicate with the PTM 12 via alternative wireless nQtwork providers. The PTM 12, the radio modem and the application software in the user terminal would be agile and capable of responding to different proto-cols.
S~TlTlJ~i ~HE~T(RULE26) w~9~/222ss ~ 8 3 3 PCT/US94/0l706 3. Use of speech-to-text conversion or voice recognition, such as template matching, to identify the cailer. As described above, the PTM 12 identifies the caller by calling num-ber, provided either by the local exchange network 12 or explicitly keyed in by the caller. A more optimal implementation would enable the caller to speak to the PTM 12 and the information would be translated to text for call screening either by the PTM 12 or for transmission as text to the end user.
4. Use of speech-to-text conversion for end user response to the PTM/caller. As described above, the end user responds to calls by keyboard or stylus. A more optimal implemen-tation would enable the end user to respond to calls by issuing verbal commands to the palm-top computer 18, which would translate these to tcxt or s~e~_h me~sages for packet trans-mission.
5. End user profile management. As described above, the end user can modify his/her service profile (used by the PTM 12 to screen and re-direct calls) by either entering instructions via the key pad of a wireline telephone or by using a computer terminal. A more optimal implementation would enable the end user to modify the service profile via the palm-top computer 18.
6. Security features. As described above, the messages transmitted over the radio network 16 SU~STI ~ HEET (RULE 26~
WO9~/22259 PCT/US94/01706 2 1 5 8 g 3 3 -16-are not encrypted. A more optimal implemen-tation would insure privacy through the use of message encryption. A more optimal implemen-tation would also include validation proce-dures in which the palm-top computer 18 would validate itself to the network 16 (e.g., use of a password or a public key) and the end user would also be validated through a public or private key technique or through speaker recognition techniques.
WO9~/22259 PCT/US94/01706 2 1 5 8 g 3 3 -16-are not encrypted. A more optimal implemen-tation would insure privacy through the use of message encryption. A more optimal implemen-tation would also include validation proce-dures in which the palm-top computer 18 would validate itself to the network 16 (e.g., use of a password or a public key) and the end user would also be validated through a public or private key technique or through speaker recognition techniques.
7. Alerting features. As described above, the palm-top computer 12 alerts the end user of an incoming call with an audible tone. A more optimal implementation would provide less intrusive alternatives such as a flashing light or icon, or a vibration.
8. Caller voice clip transmission. As described above, only the telephone number and the name of the calling party is sent to the palm-top comput~r. A more optimal implementation is to forward a voice clip from the caller which desc~ibes the nature and subject of the call.
This cAn be digitized by the system and sent in a digitally encoded form over the radio network and connected to audio and played back over a speaker on the palm-top computer.
This cAn be digitized by the system and sent in a digitally encoded form over the radio network and connected to audio and played back over a speaker on the palm-top computer.
9. Using various palm-top computer platforms and operating systems. The system is described using a particular palm-top computer and operatin~ system. More optimal implementation ~B~ITUTE SH~T (RULE 26~
WO 9~/22259 2 ~ ~ 8 8 3 3 PCT/US94/01706 would include the use of other palm-top com-puter platforms and operating system~.
WO 9~/22259 2 ~ ~ 8 8 3 3 PCT/US94/01706 would include the use of other palm-top com-puter platforms and operating system~.
10. Using various handwriting recognition systems.
As described above, the palm-top computer uses a particular handwriting recognition system to enable the end user to enter numbers and text messages. In a more optimal implementation, other more efficient and accurate handwriting recognition techniques, including electronic ink techniques, could be used to enter and transfer information.
As described above, the palm-top computer uses a particular handwriting recognition system to enable the end user to enter numbers and text messages. In a more optimal implementation, other more efficient and accurate handwriting recognition techniques, including electronic ink techniques, could be used to enter and transfer information.
11. Radio Link Protocols. As described above, the wireles~ data network provided reliable TCP/IP
datagram service between the data gateway and the portable client terminal. The packet size was variable, ranging form one to 512 bytes of payload. The connection between the PTM
platform and the data gateway wa~ implemented using a dial-up S1IP connection. The packet drive software provided encapsulation of the TCP/IP packets in the lower-layer packets transmitted across the wirele~s access link.
A more optimal implementation would utilize protocols that are well-matched to the inher-ent characteristics of the radio network.
Future mobile data services need to be de-signed to accommodate to the delay and error characteristics of radio link~, and TCP proto-col~ must be made "wireless-data~ aware.
datagram service between the data gateway and the portable client terminal. The packet size was variable, ranging form one to 512 bytes of payload. The connection between the PTM
platform and the data gateway wa~ implemented using a dial-up S1IP connection. The packet drive software provided encapsulation of the TCP/IP packets in the lower-layer packets transmitted across the wirele~s access link.
A more optimal implementation would utilize protocols that are well-matched to the inher-ent characteristics of the radio network.
Future mobile data services need to be de-signed to accommodate to the delay and error characteristics of radio link~, and TCP proto-col~ must be made "wireless-data~ aware.
12. Portable terminal application software. As described above, the palm-top computer appli-~UBSTITUTE S~EET (RULE 26) W~9~/22259 PCT/US94/01706 2 ~ 5 ~ ~ 3 ~ cation software was written to operate in the DOS 3.0 environment. In a more optimal imple-mentation, the end user application software would be written to operate independent of the specific operating system of the palm-top computer.
13. Portable terminal software state. As described above, the end user terminal appli-cation was running in the foreground. In a more optimal implementation, the end user terminal application would be one that "sleeps" as a background process, while wait-ing for packets, and that alerts the end user only when a packet arrives. The end user would then ba able to use other applications normally when there are no telephone calls to be managed. This can be readily accomplished by implementing the PTM application as a Terminate-and-Stay-Resident (TS~) ~10~ am.
WhilQ the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.
TITU~E SH~E i ~RIJLE 26j
WhilQ the best mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention as defined by the following claims.
TITU~E SH~E i ~RIJLE 26j
Claims (40)
1. 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 locationallyindependent 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.
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 locationallyindependent 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.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the telecommunications call is a telephone call.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of providing an input device for inputting data to the computer.
4. 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 computerthrough the display device and for selecting the objects displayed on the display screen.
5. 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.
data on the display screen.
6. The method as claimed in claim 3 wherein the input device is a keyboard.
7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second messages is a text message.
8. 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.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein the telephone number is a current wireline telephone number of the end user.
10. 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.
11. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second message includes rejection instructions for rejecting the call.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first radio signal which represents the first message identifies the caller.
15. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of alerting the end user of the reception of the first radio signal.
16. 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 thespeech message.
17. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one of the objects is a graphic object.
18. The method as claimed in claim 1 further comprising the step of identifying the caller from the caller identification information.
19. 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.
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.
20. A system as claimed in claim 19 in which the telecommunications call is a telephone call.
21. 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.
22. 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.
23. The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the input device is a keyboard.
24. The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein at least one of the first and second messages is a text message.
25. The system as 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.
26. The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein the second message includes rejection instructions for rejecting the call.
27. 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.
28. 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
29. 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.
30. 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.
31. 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.
32. The system as claimed in claim 19 wherein at least one of the objects is a graphic object.
33. 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.
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.
34. 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 use.
35. 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 identifying the caller from the caller identification information and 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 or 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 1 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 beperformed: and means for processing the second message to perform the selected function identified.
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 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 or 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 1 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 beperformed: and means for processing the second message to perform the selected function identified.
36. The system as claimed in claim 35 in which the telecommunications call is a telephone call.
37. 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.
38. A system for managing a telecommunication 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.
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.
39. The system as claimed in claim 38 wherein the telecommunication call is a telephone call.
40. 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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- 1994-02-17 EP EP94911390A patent/EP0691061A4/en not_active Withdrawn
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CA2158833A1 (en) | 1994-09-29 |
EP0691061A4 (en) | 1999-11-03 |
EP0691061A1 (en) | 1996-01-10 |
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