(12> united states patent patent no.: wood et al. date of ... · case 3:15-cv-00742-tjc-mcr...

Case 3:15-cv-00742-TJC-MCR Document 1-1 Filed 06/19/15 Page 2 of 26 PageID 8

(12> United States Patent Wood et al.

(54) BI~NCH CALLING AND CALLER ID BASED CALL ROUTING TELEPHONE FEATURES

(75) Inventors: Samuel F. Wood, Los Altos Hills, CA (US); Jerry A. Klein, Los Altos, CA (US); Margaret Susan Asprey, Los Altos, CA (US)

(73) Assigru.-e: lclemaze LLC, Los Altos, C'A (US)

( * ) N01icc: Subject to any disclaimer. the term of this patent is extended or adjust~-d under 35 lJ.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.

(21) Appl. No.: 111948,965

(22) Filed:

(65)

:'llov. 30. 2007

Prior Publication Data

(60)

(51)

(52) (58)

(56)

US 2008/0075262 AI Mar. 27, 2008

Related U.S. AppUeatlun Data

Division ofapplication No. 10/426,279, fill:d on Apr. 30,2003, now Pat. No. 7,324,635, which is a continu· ation-in·part of application No. 09/565,565, fik-d on May 4, 2000, now Pat. No. 6,574,328.

Int. CJ. /104M 7100 (2006.01) U.S. CJ .............................. 379/220.01; 379/221.01 Field of Classification Search ............ 3 79/211.04,

379/220.01.221,02,201.01 s~-c application file for complete search history.

References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

4,100,377 A 711978 flanagan

(Continuoo)

111111 1111~11111~ ~~lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll n 11111111

DE

US00776477782

(10) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent:

US 7,764,777 B2 Jul. 27,2010

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

19813179 9il999

(Continm.-d)

OTHER PUBLICATIONS

ADC Teleconununications; SS7 New N~1 SS7 Tutorial; 'CJ l'op)'l'iglll 1999.

(<. 'ontinut.-d)

Primary Examiner-- Creighton Smith (74) Allorney. Agent ur Firm Derry & Associates P.C.

(57) ABSTRA('T

A caller ID based call routing feature is dcscrib~o.--d lor blocked and non-block~-d caller I D's. A processing system in the pub· lie switched telephone network (PSTN) receives first identil)'ing information for identify the source of a telephone call and associates additional information stort.-d in a memory with the first identifying information. The additional information may be information about the calling party initially downloaded to the memory by a subscriber. Once retrieved from the memory by the processing system, the additional information may then be trnnsmitted to the subscriber via the Internet for display on a monitor or to the subscriber's telephone for display on a telephone display. Another leature described is a brnnch calling feature where the subscriber may program a processing system within the PSTN to lor· ward an incoming call to two or more end units (e.g., tele· phones) simultaneously.lfthe call at an end unit is answered. answer supervision signaling is trnnsmitb.:d back to the proc~'Ssing system which th~'ll terminatt.'S all other c<tlls. The processing system then connects the calling pany to the subscriber. "Ibe branch calling may be made lor <UlY combination of local. long distance, and cellular telephone numbers.

46 Claimli, II Druwlng Slu~cts

16 _,.. PSTN TANDEM SWITCH

Bright House Networks - Ex. 1106,


us 7,764,777 82 Page2

U.S. I>XfENT DOCUMENTS 5,381,405 A 1:1995 Daugho:ny et al. 5.381,466 A 1!1995 Shibayama cl al.

4,238,851 A 1211980 Takahashi cl al. 5,383,183 A 1:1995 Yoshida 4,313,035 A 111982 Jordan el al. 5,384,840 A l/1995 Blalchl(lld d al. 4,348,554 A 911982 Asmulh 5,390,184 A 2'1995 Morris 4,569,041 A 2119116 Tak~'Uebi cl al. 5.396,491 A 3'1995 1\.:wman 4,608,685 A 811986 Jain el al. 5,420,1158 A 5119')5 Marshall ~'I al. 4,611,094 A 911986 Asmulhclal. 5,422,882 A 6/1995 llillo:r c:l al 4,611,096 A 911986 Asmulhelal. 5,423,003 A 6!1995 Bene au 4,630,260 A 1211986 Toyetal. 5,426,636 A 611995 Hillerel al. 4,630.262 A 1211986 Callens el al. 5,428,607 A 611995 Hillerel al. 4,661,947 A 411987 Lea el al. 5,428,616 A 6/1995 Field~:~ al. 4,674,082 A 611987 Flanagin el al. 5,428,663 A 611995 Grimesel al. 4,679,190 A 7/1987 Diasel al. 5,430,719 A 7/1995 Weisser, Jr. 4,679,191 A 711987 Nelson e1 al. 5,434,913 A 7/1995 Tungetal. 4,707,831 A 1111987 Weir et al. 5,436,8911 1\ 711995 Bowen <.'I al. 4,715,026 A 1211987 Eberspaeeher 5,438,614 A 811995 Ko1.man el nl. 4,723,238 A 211988 Isreal el al. 5,444,10<) A 8/1995 Riddle 4,757,497 1\ 7/1988 Beierle cl al. 5,448,623 A 9/1995 Wit.-deman elal. 4,761,779 1\ 8119811 Nnrn el nl. 5.452,289 1\ 9/1995 Sh:umn el :11 4.771,42~ 1\ 911988 llaran elnl. 5,453,986 A 9/1995 Dnvisel nl. 4,1115,071 A 3/1989 Shimizu 5,455,!153 1\ 1011995 Cebulka el al. 4,819,228 A 411989 Bnrnn eta!. 5,457,684 A 10/1995 Blmmcha el al. 4,862,451 A 811989 Clossel nl. 5,471.470 A 1111995 Sharmnel al 4,1166,704 A 9/1989 Bergman 5,471,616 A I L 1995 John~on el :II. 4,872,1W A 1011989 llcmmady e1nl. 5,479.411 A I~'I'NS Klein 4,1172,160 A 1011989 Henunady el al. 5,485.457 A 11996 Ar:unaka 4,1185,739 A 12/19!19 Kead eta!. 5,495,567 A 2'1996 li1.awa el al 4,903,.?61 A 2/1990 llnrnn et al. 5.497,339 A 311996 lkrnard 4.926.416 A Sil990 Weik 5,521,914 A 5'1996 MavraLUU~is et al. 4,932,022 A (, 1990 K<.'<.'ncyet al. 5.526.353 A 6'1996 llenlt.'Y el al. 4,933,931 A 6'1990 Kokubu ~.517.401 A 7 19% Cloonan el al 4.953.158 A ~1990 Schreur 5,541,917 A 7/1996 Fanis 4,953,198 A 811990 Dnlyet al. 5,544,161 A &'1996 Bigham ~1 al. 4,9511,341 A 911990 Hemmady el al. 5,544,163 A &'1996 Madonna 4,962.497 A J()/)990 Ferenc: el al. 5,544,164 A &11996 Baran 4,969,184 1\ 11/1990 Gordon et al. 5,544,168 A 8'1996 Jeffrey el al. 4,970,721 A 11/1990 A~-zel el al. 5.553,063 A 911996 Dickson 4,973,837 A I 111990 Brad beer 5,557,6511 A 9/1996 Gregorek et aJ 4,975,695 A 1211990 Almond el al. 5.563.937 A 10'1996 Hrunoet al. 4,996,685 A 211991 Farese e1 al. 5,566,236 A 1011996 Mo:larnpy c:l al. 5,008,929 A 411991 Olsenel al. 5,568,475 A 10/1996 Doshidal 5,014,266 1\ 511991 Bales el al. 5,570,355 A 1011996 Dail e1 al. 5,018,136 A 511991 Gollub 5,572,583 A 1111996 Wht.'<.'ler. Jr . .:1 al. S,020,0SH A S/1991 II olden cl aJ. 5,577,038 A 11!1996 Miyahara 5,022,011 1\ 611991 MO'I.C:t el al. 5,577,041 A 11!1996 Sharma et al. 5,048,081 A 9/1991 Gavaras el al. 5,579,308 1\ 1111996 Jiumpleman 5,051,9113 A 911991 Kammer I 5,590,181 A 1211996 Hogan el a!. 5,093,1127 A 311992 Franklin ctal. 5,592,477 A l/1997 F1mis et al. S,IIS,411 A 511992 Williams eta! 5,592,538 A 111997 Kosowsky el 111. 5.150,357 1\ 911992 Uopnerel al. 5,594,732 A 111997 Uellt.'l al 5,157,662 1\ 1011992 Tad:unura .:1 al. 5,600,643 A 2!1997 Robmck, II 5,197,067 A 311993 Fujimoto etal. 5,600,649 A 211997 Sharm11 et al. 5,201!,1106 A 511993 U11segawa 5,602,991 A 211997 Bencau 5,211!,602 A 6il993 Clmnlet al. 5.604, 737 A 2/1997 lwamictal. 5,231,633 1\ 711993 Jlluehyj e1 al. 5,606.~94 A 2/1997 Resister cl al. 5,241,588 A 811993 llabson, Ill el al. 5,608,786 A 31997 (jonlon 5,247,571 A 911993 Kuyelal. 5,613,069 A 31997 Walker 5,268,900 A 1211993 Jllucbyj el al. H1641 U 4/1997 Sharman 5,274,635 A 1211993 Kalun:UJ el aJ. 5,621,727 A 41997 Vaudrcuil 5,291,4119 A 311994 Morgan cl al. 5,625,677 A 41997 Fo:ienago:tnl 5.297.191 A 311994 Gers-Lbers 5,628,004 A 5!1997 Gormley et al. 5,30l,ll)<J A 411994 Schmid! cl al. 5,631,897 A 5 1997 Pacheco .:1 al. 5,105.108 A 411994 English el al. 5.640,446 A 6'1997 Evcrell elal. 5,311,582 A 5!1994 Davenpon et al 5,646,945 A 7:1997 lkrglo:r 5,327,4211 A 7!1994 VanAs.:t al. 5,650,999 A 711997 Dickson 5,341.374 A &i 1994 J.ewenelnl. 5,654,957 A 1111997 Koyama 5,351.276 A 9/1994 Doll, Jr. <.1 al. 5,659,541 A 8'1997 Chan 5,351,286 A 911994 Nici 5,659,542 A &'19')7 Bell e1 al 5,353,283 A 1011994 Tsuchiya 5,680,437 A 1011997 Segal 5,359,598 A 10/1994 Steagall el al. 5,684,799 A 11/1997 Bighamdal 5,365,521 A 11/1994 Obnishi et al. 5,689,553 A 11/1997 Ahujao.'l al. 5,379,293 A 111995 Kanooelnl. 5,692,126 A 11!1997 Tcmpleton cl al.



US 7,764,777 B2 Page3

5,701.301 A 1211997 Weisser. Jr. 5,982,866 A II.' 1999 Kowalski 5,706.286 A l/1998 Ro:imnn o:l al. 5.991.291 A 111999 Asai el al. 5,710.769 A l/1998 Andcrwn d at. 5,991.3'.14 A 11:1999 D~'7.onno 0:1 Ill. 5.712.903 A lil998 Bartholom•'W el al. 5,999525 A 12/l'l')'l Krishnuswamy o:l al 5,712,908 A 111998 Brinkman el al. 6,005,870 A 12/1999 Leung e1 al 5,724.412 A 311998 Srinivas.111 6,006,272 A 12/1999 r\mvamudan ... al. 5,727,057 A 31l'l98 Emeryo:l al. 6.009,469 A 12'1'l99 Mntlawuy cl al. 5,729,544 A :l/1998 l.ev el al. 6,012,088 A l/2000 l.i el al. 5,732,074 A 311998 Spaurelal. 6,014,437 A l/2000 A~ko:r o:l al 5,732,078 A 3/1998 Arango 6,020,916 A 212000 Gcm.bcJll et al 5,732.216 A 3/1998 Loganel al. 6,026,083 A 212000 Albrow ~'I al. 5,737,320 A 411998 Madonna 6,028,'ll7 A 2/2000 Creamer et al. 5,737,331 A 411998 Hoppa! et al. 6,0:11,1136 A 2/2000 Haserodl 5,737,333 A 4/1998 Civanlar el al. 6,031,904 A 212000 Ano:lal. 5,737,533 A 4/1998 DeHond 6,041,325 A • 312000 Shah el nl ..................... 1011 10 5,740,164 A 4/1998 Liron 6.044,403 A 312000 Gers-.thers •'I al 5,740,231 A 411998 Cohnel al. 6,069,1!90 A 512000 While~'! al. 5,742,596 A 411998 Barntz et al. 6,075,992 A 6/2000 Moonet nl 5,742.905 A 4/1998 Pc:pe el al. 6,078,581 A 6.'2000 Shtivelman o:l ;II. 5,751,706 A 511998 Land eta!. 6,084,584 A 712000 Kahi •'lal. 5.751.968 A 5/1998 Cohen 6.094,478 A 712000 Shepherd el al 5,754,641 A 511998 Voitel al. 6.104,1!00 A l!i:woo Benson 5,764,628 A 611998 Davis o:t al. 6.134,235 A 1012000 Goldman o:t al. 5,764,736 A 611998 Shachar et al. 6.141,341 A 1012000 Joru:s et al. 5,764,750 A 6/1998 Chau et al. 6,161,128 A 12/2000 Smyk 5,764,756 A 611998 Onweller 6,161.134 A 12/2000 Wangetal. 5,777,991 A 711998 Adachi el al. 6,163,598 A 12/2000 Moore 5,790,538 A 811998 Sugar 6,167,040 A 12/2000 Hac:ggslrom 5,793,762 A &'1998 Penners et al. 6,175,860 Bl l/2001 Gaucher 5,793,771 A &'1998 Darland et al. 6,188,688 Bl 2/2001 Buskirk. Jr. 5,799,072 A &'1998 Vulcan el al. 6.212.261 Bl 4!2001 Meubus el a1. ~.799,154 A &!1998 Kuriyan 6,216,158 Rl 412001 l.uo~'lal. 5,802,160 A • 911998 Kugelletal ............ 3791211.04 6.240,097 Bl 512001 W•'Siuo:k o:t al 5.805.587 A 911998 Norris et al. 6.259,692 Bl 7:2001 Shtivelman o:t al 5,805.588 :\ 9'1998 Petersen 6.262.978 Bl 7.'2001 Brunu o:t al. 5.1!06,057 A 919\ll! Uormi•'Y el al. 6.266,H9 Bl 7 2001 Pardo 5,809,022 A 9,1998 Byers et al. 6.27K,707 Bl K 211111 Ma.:Millan o:t al 5,809.128 A 9'1998 M~Mullin 6,301.609 Bl 10 2001 Aravamudan •1 al 5.812.534 .-\ 91998 Daviset al. 6.308,201 Bl 102001 Pi11o""'ar o:l al 5,815,505 A 911998 Mills 6.324.183 Bl 11.2001 Millo:ro:lal. 5,1!18.912 A IQ/1991! Hammond 6.327,251! Bl 12-2001 !Xschaine o:l al. 5,825,771 r\ 10/1998 Cohen et al. 6,334,126 Bl 1212001 l'DI!<11omo ._1 al. 5.828,666 A 1()!1998 Focsaneanu el al. 6,337,858 Bl 1:2002 Petty ~1 al. 5,838,665 A 1111998 Kahnet al. 6.339.594 Bl l/2002 Civanlar '-" al 5,850.433 A 1211998 Rondeau 6.359,892 81 3'2002 Szlam 5,859,972 A 111999 Subramaniam et al. 6,381.323 Bl • 412002 Schwab o:t al. .. ....... 379 211.02 5,867,494 A 211999 Krishnaswamy et al. 6,385,308 Bl 5:2002 Coho:n elal. 5,867,495 A 211999 Elliott et al. 6,404,764 81 6.'2002 Joneset al. 5,875.405 A 211999 Honda 6,411,615 Bl 612002 DeGolia et al. 5,878.113 A 311999 8husri 6.411.965 B2 6/2002 Klug 5,878,418 A 311999 Polcyn o:t al. 6.414.962 8 I 7:2002 Hall ct al. 5,881,060 A 311999 Morrow et al. 6.418.198 82 7.2002 8rabl.'\: '-'~ al 5,881,131 A 3/1999 Farris et al. 6,421,235 82 7/2002 Dirzik 5,889,774 A 311999 Mirnshrnfi et nl. 6.445.694 81 9/2002 Swartz 5,894,473 A 411999 Dent 6,445,697 Bl 912002 l'enton 5,894,595 A 411999 Foladare et al. 6,446,127 B I 9/2002 Schuster et al 5,913.029 A 611999 Shostak 6,448,978 B I 912002 Salvador'-" al. 5,915,008 A 6/1999 Dulman 6,456,594 81 912002 Kaplan el al. 5,918.172 A 6/1999 Saunders et al. 6,456,601 Bl 912002 Kozdonetal. 5,922.047 A 711999 Newlin ct al. 6,459,780 Bl 1012002 Wurster o:t al. 5,930,700 A 711999 Pepperet al. 6,477,565 81 1112002 Daswani et al. 5,933,490 A &'1999 Whiteetal. 6,477,576 B2 1112002 An~win et al. 5,933,778 A &'1999 Buhnnann et al. 6,483,902 B I 11!2002 Sh.-wan et al. 5.938,757 A &'1999 Bertsch 6,493.338 B I 1212002 Pr~-ston et al. 5,946,386 A K'l999 Rogers ct al. 6.496,477 Bl 12/2002 l>erkias el al. 5,946.684 :\ 811999 Lund 6,526,462 Bl 212003 Elabd 5,953,392 A 911999 Rhie et al. 6.539,359 81 )12003 Ladd ~'I al 5,954,799 A 911999 Goheen et al. 6.577.622 81 62003 Shuster o:t al. 5,958,016 A 911999 Change! al. 6.584,490 Bl 6.2003 Shuster o:l al. 5,960,340 A 911999 Fuentes 6.614.7111 81 92003 Elliollel al 5,963,551 A 1011999 Minko 6.650,901 BJ II 2003 Shush:r et al. 5,970,059 A 1011999 Ahopello et al. 6,6111.252 Bl 12004 Shuster o:l al. 5,974.449 A 1011999 Change! al. 6.697.461 Bl 2 2004 Middlo:swarth •'I al



us 7,764,777 82 Page4

6,731,630 Bl 512004 Shusterel al. wo W0971J8551 JOil997 6,741,586 Bl 512004 Shuster et al. wo W097t39560 10!1997 6,744,759 Bl • 6/2004 Sidhu et al .................. 3701356 wo W097144943 llil997 6,785,266 B2 812004 S·wartz wo wo 97146073 i\2 1211997 6,788,775 Bl 9/2004 Simpson wo W097147118 1211997 6,795.429 Bl 912004 Shuster et al. wo W097150217 12/1997 6,804,224 B1 1012004 Shuster et al. wo W097150271 12/1997 6,822,957 Bl 1112004 Shuster ct al. wo WO 97/50277 A2 12/1997 6,853,714 B2 212005 Liljestrand d a!. wo W098100988 l/1998 6,856,616 Bl 212005 Shuster et al. wo W098/04065 l/1998 6,857,021 81 212005 Shuster et al. wo W098104989 211998 6,857,072 Bl 212005 Shuster ct al. wo W098110538 3/19')1! 6,870,!011 Bl J/2005 Shuster et al. wo W098111704 3/1998 6.914.897 Bl 7/2005 Shuster el al wo W098'12860 J 1998 6,937 ,69'} B I 82005 Shuster ct al. 6,956,941 Bl 10 2005 Dun.:an eta!. wo W09813974 4 1998

200li002271!4 AI 9!2001 Menon .. '! al. WO W09816051 4 19')8

.?OOii0030950 AI ll.l :!001 Chen et al. wo W09~ 182311 4·19')11

20030026403 AI 212003 Clapper wo W09818289 4 19')K

2003·0040325 AI 2t2003 Clark wo W098·1942S 5 199M 2003:0095650 AI 5;2003 Mize wo W098:19445 S 199M 2003·0133553 AI 712003 Khakoo et al. wo W098120701 s:t99s 2003/0156693 AI 8'2003 Goldnl.'ID wo W098121911 5/1998 200310194078 AI 10/2003 Woodetal. wo W098t23067 S/1998 200410029568 A I 212004 Delucaet al. wo W098123080 S/1998 2005/0041526 AI 2!2005 Esmersoy et al. wo W098t26543 6119')1! 200510141500 AI 6/2005 Bhandari ct al. wo W098t28885 71199H 2005/0169445 AI 812005 Harris wo W098130007 711998 2005/02075 57 A I 9/2005 Dolan et al. wo W098130008 71199!1

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS wo W098130008 711998 wo W098134391 81199!1

m• 0578374 111994 wo W098134399 8/1998 EP 0704788 411996 wo W098136543 8/1998 EP 0738093 10119% wo W098137665 8/1998 EP 0789470 811997 wo W098137665 8/19')8 EP 0 794 650 911997 wo wo 98137688 A2 8/1998 EP 0797373 911997 WO W098139897 911998 EP 0 824 298 211998 wo W098142104 9/1998 EP 0 829 995 311998 wo W098142107 9,'199!1 EP 0 841 831 511998 wo W098142146 9/1998 EP 0847176 611998 wo W098147256 i\2 10/1998 EP 0 851 653 711998 EP 0853411 A2 711998 wo W098151063 llil9')8

I!P 0858202 811998 wo W099112365 lil999

I!P 0 866 596 911998 wo W0991J9988 4iJ999

EJ> 0872998 JOiJ998 wo W099120059 4d999 EJ> 0869688 JOil998 wo W099135802 7 1999

El' 0918421 1011998 wo \V{)')9145687 9.19')1)

m• 0881841! 12'1998 wo WOOI105078 I 2001 EJ> 0898431 2/1999 wu WOOI124496 4·2001 on 2 315 190 J/1998 wo W001t24498 4i2()(JI JJ> 10-231167 l/1998 wo W001t24500 4-2001 JJ> 10-51453 211998 wo WOOI/24501 412001 Jl' 10-164135 611998 wo WOO!t24502 412001 JJ> 10-164257 6tl998 wo WOOit24503 402001 wo W09410SIII 311994 wo 0184859 A2 11:2()(11 wo W095t34985 1211995 wo W096108935 3119% wu W09611S598 5119% OfHER PUBLICATIONS wo wo 97114234 A2 411997 WO WU97/14238 4'1997 Mary Carmichael. -calls That l'ollow )'OU Anywh .. Tc," N .. -wsw~-ck. wo W097tl6007 511997 Apr. 28,2003, p. 43. wo W097122216 611997 RFC 3298 Service in the PSI':'J. Aug. 2002. WO W097/23078 611997 Implementing Aulomalic l.ocation t:pd.ttc for Follow-Me tlatahase wo W097127692 711997 using VoiP and Blueloolh Technologies. IEEE Tnw..action un com-wu W097/28628 8/1997 pulers, vol. Sl, No.IO.Oel. 2002. wo W097/29581 1!/1997 New services demand integration, Electronil: Engin~ering Tim~s. wo W097131492 811997 Aug. 28, 2000, Iss. 1128; p. 110. WO W097/31492 811997 Natural Microsystems, M2 Presswire. Coventry: Aug. 18, 2000. wo W097/33412 911997 This pipe dream will come true: Voice Over lntemetl'rotocol (Vol P) wo W097/33421 9/1997 technology will make lhe phone Box something tlmt really talks, wo WO 971385 II A2 1011997 Busincsslinc, Chennai:Apr. 17,2002.



us 7,764,777 82 J>agc5

Using Oplimi7alioo to Achieve Efficient Qu:llity ofServi.;e in Vok~ over II' Networks, IEEE 2003.

Bm:ulsoli litcrnlure Bmadworks ovcrvk'W, Copyright1L-.1e 2002. UroadSoll introduces industry's fJist complete servico: delivery and cn:al ionpro11uc1 suite for enhanced telephony services Brondworks, ~I'M Nc:wsh:tter: Boston: Mar. :woo, vol. 9, Iss. 3,1,· IJ.

BroadSoli unveils advan.;ed architecture for the rnpid and cost effcc· live delivery of enhanced conununicalions serviws. W .. -bsih:, Aug. 25. 1999, Press n:lcases, 3 pages. U.S. Appl. No. 09/406,322. Schuster cl <~l..lik·d Sep. ::!7, 1999. U.S. Appl. No. 09/S 15,798, Schuster 0:1 al., filed Feb. 29. 2000.

• cited by examiner



U.S. Patent

r'\ " :I: 0 1-

z~ .,_cn C/):2:: a..w

0 z

" ~

-\

Jul. 27, 2010

"' /

0 (_)

a: w :;EW::J wcno owe: zO.,_ ~~z

0 0

0 ,....

Sheet 1 of11 US 7,764,777 B2

~

• C)

lL



U.S. Patent

1"\ ~

I

~ z~ li; a.(5

c z ~

" 1 (0 .,-

K ........

I

~ z3: t-en W:iE a.w

0 z ~

" -)

Jul. 27,2010 Sheet 2 of 11

8

a:. 0 ·. > ·.

us 7,764,777 82

C\1 . (!J

LL



Subscriber Registration and Login

Simple Sam le experimentation with features such as web dialing

User views information on

becoming a ubscriber includin

features and charges.

User provides personal data including login name and password and credit card information.

User accesses web site UIS {User

Interaction System)

User selects "Vanity" PPN (Ex1ra Cost Option).

FIG. 3A

User logs in (apply Yes standard forgotten

password procedures).

System displays Subscriber's private information page.

User views messages, changes configuration, modifies mail lists, etc.

User enters a tentative PPN, system checks local database for availability

No

Yes

;..,

= -.



------------------------------------------System selects PPN.

System selects PPN from local database.

Acronyms PPN - Public Phone Number allocated by oneCioud (known to public, on business cards, etc., rings oneCtoud). LPN - Local Phone Number from local talco (rings ~ser's phone but Is only known to oneCioud and local telco). UIS - User Interaction System - web site user interfaces with in order to control phone features. TAC- Tandem Acces Controller- System that directly accesses the PSTN.

FIG. 38

FIG. 3A

FIG. 3 FIG.3B

--------,---------System sends provisioning packet to PSTN Controller.

I Controller acknowledges provisioning packet.

I User's new PPN and login name are acknowledged and User Is welcomed as a new Subscriber

l Done

c.. = -.



Incoming Message Processing for PSTN Tandem Access Controller

Acronyms PPN ~ Public Phone Number allocated by oneCioud (known to public, on business cards, etc., rings oneCioud). LPN - Local Phone Number from local talco (lings user's phone but is only known to oneCioud and local talco). UIS ~User Interaction System· web site user interfaces with In order to control phone features. TAC- Tandem Access Controller- System that directly

Send to appropriate

Protocol Conversion subsystems. Control Packet accesses the PSTN.

r---------~~~~~~ Assemble Signaling and Control

Process VoiP control messages.

VoiPH.323 Control Message

Call Control Messages

lnvand call Control Request

Message (from Packets)

UIS Provisioning Message

Invalid Database Request

Perform invalid message analysis and security check

Database Updated

Send acknowledgement message to UIS

FIG. 4

~

= -. N

.;-.1 N = .... =



U.S. Patent Jul. 27,2010 Sheet 6 of 11

Inbound Call (to Subscriber}

Receive Incoming Call Request (SS7) from

PSTN Tandem Office.

Format Message: Incoming Call Request (including called PPN,

caller ID, channel#, etc.)

Look up Calling and Called Parties in Database.

US 7,764,777 B2

No ~-~~ Refuse call.

Look up Subscriber specified J?.Brameters in database. Determine if additional information Is required from caller.

IVA Subsystem obtains information

">-_Y_e_s __ ~(e.g. collect password

Determine outbound calling number: Look up Subscriber Conditional Call Forward

information (e.g. time-of-day, day-of-week, caller ID, caller password, etc.).

Send Call Request (SS7) to PSTN Tandem.

Yes

Yes

No Connect this outbound call

to ori inal inbound call.

FIG. 5

from caller, etc.).



U.S. Patent

Send messages to UIS- Subscnber

Phone Not Answering

Jul. 27, 2010 Sheet 7 of 11

Outbound Call (from Subscriber)

via web

Subscriber enters or clicks on Outbound Called Number at UIS and indicates which Subscriber number call is to be placed from

{e.g. cell or home number)

TAC places call to outbound number and connects the two.

FIG. 6

us 7,764,777 82

via phone

User goes off "hooka on phone

CO processes dialing and look up

No PSTN places call in conventional manner



U.S. Patent

" .........

:z: 0 1-

z3: l-en en~ a.w

0 z

' ~

) co ..-

""' ~

:z: ~

z;;: .-rn (/)~ a.w

0 z

" i$

\

Jul. 27,2010

0 ,...

/

0 (.)

) ......

Sheet 8 of 11

..- 0 cr)

N cr)

~······~···········~

US 7,764,777 B2

• CJ -u.



/ 7

16....- PSTN TANDEM SWITCH

L--------1/ 'FAX & Modem/ "' Calls /

~/ ___ ~/ 10-{ TAC (}-1 40 I 17-- co

~. ISP Dial-up 1/ · •• CO Trunks

~----- "* . Dial-up Modem

14~0~ 12:r.: FIG. 8

co

;..,

= -.



U.S. Patent Jul. 27,2010 Sheet 10 of 11 us 7,764,777 82

LOOK UP 56 CIDTAG

DISPLAY TAG INFORMATION 58 ON WEB PAGE

DISPLAY NAME SO AND NUMBER ON WEB PAGE

TRANSLATE NUMBER 62

RING PHONE 64

SENDCIDTO SUBSCRIBER 66

74

OBTAINCID FROM CALLER

NO

YES PROMPT CALLER TO UNLOCK

NO

BLOCK CALL OR SEND TO VOICE MAIL

FIG. 9



U.S. Patent

ABANDON CALL

Jul. 27, 2010 Sheet 11 of 11 US 7,764,777 B2

80 82

LOOK UP DNIS AND CID ROUTING INSTRUCTIONS 87

NO BLOCK CALL

88

PROVIDE RING BACK TONE TO CALLER

90 93

92

FIG. 10

ABANDON CALL



us 7,764,777 82

1 BRANCH CALLING AND CALLER ID BASED

f:AI.I. ROUTING TEI.EPIIONF. FEATURES

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICJ\l'IONS

lbis application is a division of U.S. application Scr. No.

2 (dialing options). The 2nd party (called party) also has options available such as call lorwarding. but tlii.'Se 1\:atures typically ~-quire access from the f1tst or second party's device and are extremely awkward to program. The user interaction is not only awkward, it is limited and requires intcr.1ction with the telt.'Phone company to provision them. In other words, past systems lor provisioning, meaning addition, modification, or control of telephone features, required a subscriber to make the ft.!uture selection through the telephone business

I 0/426,279, filed Apr. 30, 2003, entitled "Branch Calling and Caller ID Based Call Routing Telephone Features," which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/565, 565, filed May 4, 2000, entitled "Telephone Call Control System for the Public Switched Telephone Network." now U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,328, both incorporated herein by reference.

10 office. Central office workers would then implement the provisioning under request of the business office.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

'Ibis invention relates to telephonl.! sl.!rvices and. in particular, to a systl.!lll for allllWing a subscriber to selectli:atun .. -s of the subscriber's telephone service and to various novel fca· tures that can be sci~'Ct~-d.

Call Forwarding is one popular provision. Thl.!re is signi· ficationtransmission degradation for Call Forwarding to take place. TI111 calling piU'Iy pays for a call to the edge d~o--vice, and

15 the edge subscriber. the called party, pays for the c;tll to the forwarding number. Fur enhanced inbound call control to occur, a dir~-ct 3rd-party call control means is ~~~~-ded.

20

BACKGROUND

A variety of services have arisen tn uddrcss the problems mentiom.-d above. Many nf these systems ullow the called party to make changes to his/her call Ji.1rwarding anributcs

P~-ople have used various means lor limiting interruptions due to the telephone. In the past, ~'Ople u~>d switchboards and secretaries to screen incoming, or inbound, calls. Voice mail systems took over some of this mle both in the home and in the Cllntral office. 'lbday, there arc web-based companies managing 3rd-party call control, via the toll-switch network, which allow users to enter call control information through a web portal. 1berc arc also edge devices in each of the public telephone company's central offices which provide local control, but olli:r an extremely limited number of features lUld do not provide true 3rd-party call control.

which do not allow direct 3rd-party call control. 'lb~-se services provide good user interaction, some via the internet. but they rely upon the toll network through the use of "800" numbers. lbis requires the subscriber to pay by the minute

H and does not allow thesubscribertotakeadv-dntageofnumber portability in order to obtain 3rd-party call control. There are other toll network mechanisms for remote call li1rwarding. For exumple, MCI oilers a service where the customer can

30 remotely change the lbrwarding target number lor "800" numbers. Contacting the ultimate end-user belore tl.!rminat· ing the first incoming c-dll is similar to the manner in which ''800" credit calls and collect calls are processed, but these arc not done ut the local subscriber lt!vel.

The web-based toll systems provide good user interaction but they are not economical and cannot take advantage of local number portability because they do not provide local control and connectivity.

3S

The Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) consists 40 of a plurdlity of edge switches conn~'Cted to telephones on one side and to a network of tandem switches on the other. The tandem switch network allows conni.'Ctivity betWI.'Cn all ofthe edge switches, and a signalling system is used by the PSTN to allow calling and to tr.msmit both calling and called party 4~ identity.

Until now, optional features were provided by the local service tdl.!phone com puny (tel co) through the edgl.! switch at the centml otlice (CO). It was not possible to provide optional features through any other means. Control of these features ~o was done through the first party (calling party) or the second party (called party), or worse yet, manually by culling the business office.

In the past, numerous d~.o--vices have been built that allow the connection of two lin~-s together at an edge switch. These 55 devices can be used to add features to a telephone network by receiving a call on one line and then dialing out on another line. TI1e problem with th~-se devices is that, bL'Cuuse they arc connectt.-d through an ~-dge switch, lrdllsmission losses and impairments occur, dL-grading thl.! overall conn1.-ction.ln addi- 60 lion, sigru1lling limitations prevent lull control, by the subscriber or the system, over the call.

In addition to these toll services, there arc edge devices that perform some of the same services. Edge devices such as phones and PBXs that include voice mail, inter-active voice response, call forwarding. speed calling, etc., haw been used to provide additional cull control. Th1.>se devices allow the phone user direct control over incoming and outgoing calls. The disadvantage of edge devices is that they add cost. degrade vuicl.! and tmnsmission quality. can be dillicult to progr.1m, arc not easily progr.muned remotely, can re4uire the user to puy lor two lines. provide lower 4uality of service, and cannot provide the same h ..... ·el of functionality as a system that controls tbe l>sTN dirl.!ctly. 'lbl.!re arc Voice Over Internet Protocol (\lbiP) products emerging. that providl.! better user interlaces and control but they do 1wt take udvuntagl.! and voice quality of the PSTN.

SUMMARY

A system for allowing a subscriber to remotely control features is described herein along with various telephone leatures that may be programmed into the system. A subscriber may be any custom~-r using the telephone Sl.!rvice, in contrast to employees of the PSTN who may usc special communication networks within the J>STN. Two lo'UCh features are caller ID (CID) ba~>d call routing and brdnch call· ing. The system allows the subscriber to set up a feature where the CID sig~wl is detect1.-d within the !•STN and automatic<~lly associated with stored information relating to the caller. The stored information may have been previously enten.>d into a memory within the PSTN by the subscriber via the world

A prcl\:rred embodiment ofthl.! inventive systf.!m described herein connects at the tandem, thereby elintinating these problems.

In the edge devices ~-siding in the PSTN central ollices, the I st party (the calling party) has numerous features available

6S wide web. '!be CID signal may be also used to route the call to one of more forwarding numbers or to take any other action, such as blocking the call. This feature also allows the



us 7,764,777 82 3

subscriber to usc the CID signal to display certain infonnation even though the caller may have her CID blocked.

Another feature described herein is relcm:d to as branch calling, which allows a call to be fozwarded to multiple telephones simultaneously, where the first telephone answered terminates the calling of the other telephom.'li (or any other end units).

1l1c preferred system describ1.-d herein adds direct control of third party call control features, but does not suffer from IU

any of the disadvantages listed above, and allows the subscriber to manage his/her telephone system in a dynamic and exceptionally usclul manner that is not currently available through the existing PSTN. ll1e system ullnws enhanced dir1.'Ct tllird-party call control features, such as selective call

1 s

routing and remote dialing, to be added to the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) using local call control and providing dynamic provisioning of the system by the subscriber. Direct 3rd-pwty control means that the ability to provision the 3rd-party features is directly available to a sub-

20 scriber, eliminating the need to go through the telephone company (telco) business office.

In one embodiment, the system includes a processor (referred to herein as a tandem acc1.'SS controller) coiUlected to the PSTN which would allow anyone to diri.'Ctly provision. 2 ~ that is to say set-up and make imm1.>diate changes to. the configuration of his or her phone: line. In another embodiment. a tandem access controller ('1:-\C) subsystem is 1.'\lnnected intern.,lly to the: PSTN ina local service area. llu: TAC providc:s li:atures, se!.:cted by the subscriber. to all 1.-dge 1,, switch1.'S I.'Oilllt.'Cll.'tl to the PSTN t;mdem switch. CoiUli.'Ctinl'directly to the PSTN tandem switch (or emb1.'tlding the system into the tandem switch) eliminates the signal degr.1dation problems previously described.

In one: embodinlcnt, the system allows provisioning of JS

features via the internet under direct control of the subscriber. Recently, several products have b1.'Cn introduced that provide a means of controlling features via the public internet. I lowever, all these devic1.'S fall short in that they 1\.>quire the subscriber to obtain an "800" number or some other number that 40

requires the subscriber to pay a toll chruye each time a call is made. 111e system coJuu:cts locally, so no toll charges arc incurred.

4 the subscriber may. in additional to using the standard telc:phone, make phone: calls using \~lice Over II' via a conventional digital telephone.

FIG. 3 is a llowclmrt of one method that a person may usc to set up a subscriber account w1d to designate fcatur1.'S the subscriber would like lor his/her telephone.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method that can be perlormed by the TAC in response to the subscriber (or other service:) controlling the: TAC, using the web (or other packet-based system). to change the subscriber's telephone provisioning or perlbrm another function, such as make a VoiP call.

FIG. Sis a flowchart of a method that can be pc:rlbnned by the TAC in response to an inbound call to the subscriber.

FIG. 6 is a tlowchart of a method pcrfonn1.-d by the subscriber and the TAC when the subscriber desires to make an outbound call via the web or using a conventiom1l telephone.

FIG. 7 illustrat1."S a system, using the TAC, that allnws wireless cell phones to obtain the same provisioning options as the conventional telephones.

FIG. 8 illustrates a system, using the TAC, that allows fax and modem calls to benefit from the provisioning offered by theTAC.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of possible scenarios lL~ing the caller ID bas1.>d feature.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of possible scenarios using the branch c••lling feature.

DE'I:<\IJ.ED DESCRWJ'JON OF TilE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a timdem acc~..'lis controller (lAC) 10 tlmt allows an authorized subscriber 12 to establish 3rd-party control criteria for calls to the subscriber's tck'Phone 14 (having a "public" phone: number that callers dial). In one embodiment, the l:<\C 10 is a programmed processor. '[be TAC 10 m••Y use any combination ofhardwarc, firmware, or software and, in one embodiment. is a conventional computer programmt.>d to carry out the functions described ht.'fein.

'J1le TAC 10 is conni.'Cted to or inside the: conventional PSTN tandem switch 16 such that calls may flow through the TAC I 0 in the same manner as tl1e existing PSTN tandem switch, except that additional 3rd-party lcaturcs arc applied to the call. As is well known. PSTN tandem switches arc "lhe ollered features are implemented by soliware pro

grams run by the processing system. 4S exchanges that direct telephone calls (or other traffic) to central oll1ces 17,18 or to other tandem switches. Details of the operation of the existing phone network may be: Jbund in the publication entitled "New Net SS7 Tutorial," by AOC Tele-

The web-enhanced services in one embodiment of the invention coexist with and overlay the local phone service at the local level, thereby providing good economics and user interaction, single number access to multiple subscriber devices, connectivity without transmission impainnents and so true, direct 3rd-party call control.

communications, copyright 1999, incorporat1.-d herein by rei:. erence. Additional details may be found in the numerous books describing the PSTN.

The PSTN tandem switch 16 directs a first call (!rom the The present syst1."1T1 relies upon use of local telephone Jaciliti1.'S thereby eliminating all the extra charges associated with making toll calls. It also allows the user to take advantage of number portability and keep his/her existing public phone H number.

calling party 20 to the subscriber's phone 14 using the subscriber's public phone number) to the TAC 10, which in tum places a SI."Cnnd call. subject to Jrd-pany contml infl.1rmatinn. to the subscriber's "private" phone number without yet ter-minating the lirst call. 'lhe '[<\(' 10 is coiUlecll.'tl within the: subscriber's local service area so calls lrom 'lAC 10 to the: subscribc:r do not incur a toll. When the: subscriber 12 t..:rmi-BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. I illustrates the l!mdem access controller (TAC) in one embodiment of the present invention coiUlcctl.'tl to the existing PSTN tandem switch. the TAC providing fi:atUI\.'li for the subscribc:r's telephone as requesh.-d by the subscriber via the web.

FIG. 2 illustrates a systcm similar to FIG. I but showing multiple tandem switches and TACs and also showing how

60 nates (or answers) the s~o'Cond call, the 'lAC 10 tcrmirmtcs the first call Wid connects it loth..: Sl.'l:omlcall. thereby conneclinp. the calling pany 20 tn the subscriber 12. ll..:ncc, thc calling party I.'Sscntially calls the TAC 10. using the: subscriber's public phone number, <md the TAC 10, after processing the

65 call using the selected features. calls the subscriber, as appropriate, using the subscriber's private phone numbc:r and connects the two calls. lhc process is transparent to the panies.



us 7,764,777 82 5

'Inc TAC 10 is coMected inside the PSTN in the sense that it is not an t.:dge device such as a PRX or eentl"'dl office (CO) switch because it does not coMect directly to subscribers. Rather, it n.-directs culls to subscribers. The TAC 10 provides intelligent intercoMI..'Ction between a calling party and a subscriber.

11tc reader should keep in mind that ulthough only one tandem switch 16 is shown in PIG. 1, the invention will apply equully well to a network of tandem switches. as shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 also illustrates how the subscriber can make to calls using voice over IP vi" a conventional digital telephone 21.

6 called numbers, class of service, time of day, number lists, etc. In some cases additional data is gathered from the calling party via a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) ~)'stem and stored in the system memory. Tite DSP system is USI..-d to play call progress tones and voice uMouncemcnts as r1..-quired. Voice announcements can be play ... -d through the DSP system. In response to the call data. an outgoing cull to the subscriber 12 may be placed back through the tandem switch 16 by TAC 10. The l:o\C 10 links the two calls and monitors the l."'illli..'Ction.

lnlbnnation about the call may be col11..-cted by the TAC I 0 and sent to the subscriber or a 3nl pltrty li>r display. Such infonnation may be the h:ngth of the call or infonnatiun used to bill the subscriber forthc usc of the systt:m.'llte provisioning sy~1em can also collect control inlbnnt1tion from a 3nl

FIG. 1 illustrates the preferred method for an authorized subscriber to modily the 3rd-party control criteria by means of the world wide web 22 (and web server 23) using an internet browser. By "authorized" we mean u subscriber who is n.-gistered and has logged-in with uppropriute s~:eurity and password controls. 'lbe subscriber 12 interacts with the web

IS party and l"l!lay it back to tbe TAC 10. which willthcnaiTect the call acconlingly.

FIG. 6 is a llowchart of actions taken by the subscribt:r 12 and the TAC 10 when the subscriber desires Jo make an outbound call via the web or using •• conventional telephone.

20 When using the web to place u call, the subscriber may simply click a name on the computer screen 26 using a mouse.

22 via the Internet to quickly and easily specify the enhanced Jed-party cull control features. Web 22 then relays this information, in appropriute fonn. to the TAC 10. Preferably. the link to the TAC 10 uses a secure protocol. Exumples of lealures that can be sei1..'Cted by the subscriber include: condi· tiona) call blocking. cull forwurding. call ahering, time of day conditions, day of week conditions, follow-me, caller recognition/password, caller ID, call screening/retrieval from voice mail, speed dialing, interactive voice response, and speech recognition. Any other feature could be added. These features can be implemented in the TAC 10 using known software techniques since such features arc known. M1..-ssagc outgoing 30

call control includes: click-to-dial calling and group calling/ mes.~uging.

FIG. 7 illustrdles a system, using the TAC 10, that ullows wireless cell phones 28 to obtain the same provisioning options as the conventional telephones 14. A local cell30 and

2S a cell switch 32 are 11lso shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 illustrates a system, using the TAC 10, that allows

fax and mod1..'D1 calls to benefit from the provisioning offered by the TAC 10. The TAC I 0 may interface the ISP 3 6 through the web 22.

One embodiment of the invention allows a subscriber to view the current state of his/her telephone via the Internet. Internet is a tenn of arl by which we mean an interconn~:etion ofpucket switched networks.J>rior lo this system there was no way li.lr a user to examine the status of a telephone line.

'lbe invention may also include ivrfvm/voverip. FIG. 1 uses a public intemet portal conneclt .. -d via a dutalink

to the T:\C I 0 or other interlace system. :\s a n.-gistered subscriber.u user ll1gs onto the portal (FIG. 3) <Uld is granted access, allowing the user to muke additions or changes to features such us spt.~ calling, cull lurwarding. scl~:etion of such descriptors as time of day, busy status. caller ID status, etc. A user-friendly web page leads the subscriber through the various procedures and av-dilable lcaturcs. ")be sel1..--clions made by the subscriber are translated into provisioning data and transmitted to the TAC 10. The TAC 10 in tum keeps track of incoming und outgoing calls based on this infonnation.

Tite subscriber cun also progr1101 a set of the call control features via a telephone link in the event a datu link connection is unav-.tilable.

FIG. 4 is 11 flowchart of actions that may be taken by the TAC 10 in response to the subscriber (or other service) controlling the TAC, using the web or other packet-baS~..-d system. to change the subscriber's telephone provisioning or pcrfonn another function, such as make a \<oiP call.

35 Recently. several products have been introdue~..-d that provide a mcouts of extunining the voice message boxes.

An internet portul is connected via a datu link to the 'J:'\C 10. When a user logs onto the internet poru.l and b gl"'dnted acc ... oss to an individual subscription. the usercun examine the

40 status of callsfleatur~..'S. This infonnation is transmith.-d lrom the 'Ji\C 10 to the web portal and translated into user viewabies. The TAC 10 kL'Cps tmck ofincoming and outgoing calls bas1..-d on this infonnation.

'lbe TAC 10 may be implement1..-d using conventional pro-4S CI..'Ssor hardwttre. ')be connection to the tundem switch 16

may be as simple as a telephone circuit. since the TAC 10 receives an incoming call from a call1..'1' and pmcesses the call. Devising the softwarc/finnwurc us.: tl> control the ·ri\C 10 is well within the capability of those skilled in the art since the

so various control features that can be m;tde av;~ilable arc gcnemlly already known.

Certain adv-.tnlllgl.'S that can be obtained using the invention FIG. 5 is 11 llowchart of actions taken by the TAC 10 in

response to tm inbound call (using the subscriber's public phone number) to the subscriber. Examples of some of the ss actions taken by the TAC 10 are:

include the lbllowing: Web-Based Telecom Navigator Manage Incoming Call Control Conditional Call BlockingiPorwardingl Alerting Time-oi~Day, Day-of-Week, Follow-Me, Caller Recogni-lk'Ceives SS7 data indicating an incoming call

Stores phone numbers downloaded from provisioning sys-tem

Charts identity of culling party Checks time of duy Ston.'S lists of numbers in group~ used for proc1..-ssing

incoming calls Places outguing c;~lls in response to incoming calls ;~cconl

ing to inlhnnatiun downloaded on the datal ink. lncmning cull datu is received by the TAC I 0 li-om the

tandem switch 16. The 'lAC 10 proc ... -ssor ch ... -cks culling and

60

tion/Password, Caller ID, etc. Call Screening/Retrieval from Voice Mail Interactive Voice Response and Spcc..'Ch Recognition Manage Outgoing Call Control Click-to-Oial Calling Group Culling and Messaging Web-Bas ... od Billing Web-Driven Personal Communications Manag.em11111 Cost-Efli.-ctive Single Phon11 Nwnber Acc~-ss On-Line "J>crsonal Digital Assist;~nt"



us 7,764,777 82 7

On-Line .. Tdcom Navigator" Inspired User Interaction Secure and Reliable Technology Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access CLEC Status Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not 800 'loll Service) Retain Current Number (Local Number Portability) Low-Cost Calling Throughout LATA Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange Single Installation Covers Entire LATA VoiP Toll-Bypass Compatible With Existing Devices, Standards Standard DTMF and VoiP Phones Wireless Phones Standard Win:d/Wireless and PIM Browser.; Web-Based Personal Digital Assistant Centralized and Consistt:nt Personal D<~ta Build Once, Use Anywhere Private/Public Phone Din:ctories and Calendars "Post-It" Stvll.' Am10tation of Number.; Web Dialing Click-to-Dial from Web Pages, Directories. Calc..'Jldars Multiple Phone List Management Unified Messaging Voice Mail Access, Prompts, Alert Vi11 Web User Interaction Expected Behavior Compatible with Familiar Products (e.g. Palm Pilot) Commonality Between All Win.-d and Wireless Mode-Based Definition and Selection \~cation, Dilmer Time, Go Away, Family Call Waiting 'Jcmplatcs Learning Modes Persona-Basl.'tl User lnterilction Design Speech recognition Windows drag and drop Automatic Data Capture Build Phone List Based on Colll:cted Usage Information Drag and Drop Into Lists Secure and Reliable Technology Separate Web-Site and Link Gateway No Direct External Access to Guteway Additional Security Layer No Denial-of-St:rvice to Voice Links \{liP !.ink I >egradatinn Detection Automutic Cutover to PSTN E-Commerce Security Billing Encryption

Caller ID Based Call Routing One advantage of using 'li\C 10 is its ability to enhance

caller ID inli>rml1tion. Caller ID is a common li:uturt: where a calling party's telephone number is transmitted to the culled party's telephone so it can be displayed on a small display screen in the telephone. 'Ibis culler ID inJbrmation is provided

8 stored in a memory addressed by ·1:<\C 10. lbe enhrutced caller 10 information pnwided through TA\ 10 provides a valuable tool to the subscriber in bundling incoming calls. 'lbe basic caller ID information, such as the caller's telephone

s number and name, can still be sent to the subscriber's phone and display"-d in a conventional mamter while the enhrutced caller ID inli>rmation may be di~playc.-d on the phone display or on the subscriber's computer monitor viu the web.

The caller ID signals, pursuant to the SS7 protocol, are 10 detected by TAC 10 when a calling party calls the subscriber

using the subscriber's public telephone number, as previously described. TAC 10 then uses the basic caller ID data to address a look-up table (LUT) containing any additional informotion that the subscriber has enterc.-d into the LUT's

IS memory locations lor association with that caller ID duta. FIG. 8 shows such a LUT 40 within or connc.-cted to TAC 10.

In one exumple, the subscriber may identify a prospc.-ctive calling party's telephone number to TAC 10 via the Internet and then associate the number with any other inJi>nnation for

20 storing in LUT 40. Such other inlormation may be all the possible callers using the calling telephone. personal information regarding the calling party. billing inlbrmution, business infomtution, account numbers, pust discussions with the caller. or any other information. When'[-\(' 10 detects the

25 caller J)) signals, TAC 10 11ddresses I.UT 40 11nd downloads the retrieved information to the subscriber's tek'Phonl.' display or to the subscriber's computer viu the web. Since TAC 10 (including LUT 40) stores this additional infonnation. the subscriber is not n:quired to per.;onally provide procc.'Ssing or

JO memory devices for this l'Cature. Multiple subscribers use the same 1:<\C 10 and urr 40 but

only the memory locations in l.lJT 40 authorized lor access by a purticular subscriber are available to that subscriber.

A subscriber may progr.1m TAC 10 using the various means 3S dl-'SCribl-'<1 previously to perform any numberoffeatun.-s on an

incoming telephone call based upon the caller ID data. Such features include forwarding a call associated with that particular caller ID data to one or more other telephonl.'S, or blocking calls associated with that particular caller ID data.

40 Such calls may be forwarded or blockl.-d only at certain times or on certain days as requested by the subscriber. All of the other features previously described may also be applied bused upon the caller ID.

When the calling party elc.-cts to block her caller ID infor-4S mation, di~pluying tlu: caller's number und nrune on the sub

scriber's tcll.-phone may violate the privacy act, so such a restriction should be progmmmc.-d into the system. However. TAC 10 may still use the caller IL> information lor various !c.-gal purposes. For example. thl.' subscriber may nut wish to

so receive phone calls lrom 11 particular phone number or calling party. 'lbe subscriber may transmit to 'f.-\C 10 the caller ID information (e.g., thc telephone number and/or thc m•mc) und instruct TAC 10 to either foiW'o~rd the call. block the call. or transmit any additional infonn:1tion from LUT 40 to the sub-

55 scriber's phone display or computer mnnitnr li1r screc.'lling the caller. by the calling puny's central ollice ~witch. Sigmding Sy~tcm

No.7 (SS7) is a global standard for telecommunications and defines the proel.'tlures and protocol by which network elements in the PSTN exchange information (including the caller I D) over the telephone network for call set up, routing, 60 and control. In some telephone sets, including wireless telephones, the name of the caller associated with the telephone number is ulso di~play"'tl on the called purty's di~pluy scNen.

If culler ID information does not exist, such us where the local tc:lephone company does not olli:r caller ID, ·1:-\C 10, when n.'Ceiving the incoming cull, can transmit an uutomutic message to the caller to enter identification information. 'J:-\C 10 then uses that information to uddrl.oss LUT 40 to identilv any as.~uciated information in I .lJT 40 for transmission to th~ subscriber. TAC 10, in u recorded or simuluted vuice. can n.-quest the caller to t.'llter hc:r phone number via the telephone k~o.')'pad. Alternatively, TAC can request that the caller speak her name or number, which would then be playc.-d to the subscriber or converted to text or a code by T.>\C 10. to address

TAC 10 can use this automatically S'-'llCCated caller ID signal to provide an enhanced set of caller ID related leatures. 6S One such feature is the association of the standard caller ID information with additional information about the caller



US 7,764,777 B2 9

L UT 40. Alternatively, the caller can enter a personal identification number or any other type of code (e.g., the caller's mune) via the keypad, which would identify the caller to TAC 10. Once obtained, the caller ID infom1ation enten:d can be used to route the incoming call via 1:1\C 10 in any way progr .. mnu.-d by the subscriber. Call routing ~-an be bas"-d ontirne of day. thec-.. Ucr ID. any web input instructions, a din:ction by the calling party itsell: or any other variable.

This t\.'Chnique is contmsted with 800-type services, which are reverse long distance services requiring the owner of the 111 800 number to pay lor the incoming call. With 800 numbers, the calll.'l' ID must be unblocked to identitY the wnount of the toll. With the inventive technique, even blockl.-d caller ID calls can result in information about the caller being transmitted to the subscriber or usl.-d by TAC 10 to selectively perform a IS

function. FIG. 9 is a Howchan of various scenarios that may be

carried out using the caller ID lcuture. In step SO of FIG. 9, an incoming call is rcceivl.-d by TAC

10, as previously dcscribl.-d, by a calling party calling the 20 subscriber's public telephone number. In all embodiments described herein, the end unit culled may be u residential tell-'Phom: or other communication device connected to the PSTN via a central office, such as a computer, fax machine, or other communication device. 'Ibe services provided by 'I~C 2S 10 may be for residential telephone service or for business tck']lhone service.

In step 52, using the SS7 protocol, TAC 10 detects the caller IDsignal (CID). if any. Evenifthecallingparty has a blocked CJl), the CID is still tmnsmin"-d to TAC I 0; however the Ju

blockl--d culler ID cannot be displayed on the callt..-d party's tei"'Jlhone. If the CID is detected, the proCl.":iS continues to steps 54 and 56, which determine whether the CID is associat\.'<.~ with any data in a look-up table. Existing data in the look-up tuble associated with the CJD indicates thut the culler 35 is a previous caller. If caller JD information is known without ever previously receiving u call from thut party, the additional information can still be enhm:d into the look-up table, and the calling party will be tre-.. tl.-d as not a nt..-w caller in step 54.

Assuming the caller has information stored in the look-up 411

table, this additional information is retrieved by T.o\C 10 and displayed on a web page (step 58) that is accessible by the subscriber via the web. In addition, the calk'l''s nwne and telephone number may also by displayt..-d (step 60). The information may also be tr .. nsmiued to the subscriber's telephone 4S

for display. In step 62, TAC 10 performs any progmmm1.-d function on

the call, such as forwarding the call to the subscriber's private telephone number or another number.

The placing of the second call by TAC 10 causes the called so phone to ring (step 64) as well as causes the CID and additionul information to be available to the subscriber (step 66)

10 when TAC 10 places the call to the subscriber's privute number (or an)' other forwarding number). and the CIJ> is displayed on the subscriber's phone.

In step 68. if it is determined that the CID is blocked. ·1:1\C I 0 will pwmpt the c;~Jier. vi<~ a recorded messuge or a simulated voice. to press the appropriate touch tone buttons to unblock the CJD (step 70). For example. TAC 10 may be progmmmed to detect that a ··1" key is prl."Ssed by the caller to unblock CJD and then treat the CID information as unblocked. Alternatively, the c;aller may be rcqui~-d to call back afier pressing the proper touch tone keys to unblock the CJJ) in a conventional way.

In step 72, iftheCID is now unblockcd,the(')D i) ~lbtain~-d from the caller in step 74. The process also goes to step 74 if. in step 52, the CID is not initially obtained.

In step 76, TAC 10 determines whether the CJD signal has been provided by the calling party from either the automatic CJD signals or from the caller manually entering the caller's telephone number, name, or PIN, as p~-viously described. If yes, then in st'-'P 54 "I:o\C 10 USl.'S the CJD information to detl.'l'mine whether the caller is a new caller, and the remainder of the process continues as p~'Viously described.

In step 72, if it is determined that theCJD remains blocked after TAC 10 has prompted the caller to unblock the CJD. then in step 74 it is determined by TAC 10 is step 77 (after revk-wing the subscriber's programmed instructions) whether the subscriber is accepting block"-d calls. If yes, "1:-\C 10 then pluces a call to the subscriber's private number or any other number identifk-d by the subscribl-'1', and puts the blocked call thrnugh. The blucked CIJ) information would not he tmnsmitted to the subscriber's phone.

If the subscriber's instructions are to not accept blockt..-d calls, then in step 78 the blocked call is not lorwardc.-d to the subscriber's phone, or the blocked call is sent to voice muil. Voic~: mail may be a memory internal tu '[-\(' I 0, or '[1\C I 0 may tmnsmit a special code to the subscriber':> phone tlun automatically causes the call to be routt .. -d to a priv-.. te voice mail system.

As seen, as long as the caller ID data receiv"-d by ·1:1\C 10 has information associated with it in the look-up table, the stored information can be tr .. IISmill\.-d to tlte subscrib~:r even if the caller ID is blocked. Further, even blocked caller IDs c;m still be used by "[1\C 10 to perform a routing Junction on the call. The culler IJJ feature may be implemented by a sufiware progrdm run by the processing system in TAC 10.

8l.'Cause the conventional blocked CID information pro-vided by the phone company is nc.'Ver displayed to the subscriber, the tagging system does not violate the privacy act. Known feutures such as call trace (where CID is pro\lidt!d to law enforcement people), or call rerum (where the hlock~o-d caller can be called buck) have establishl.-d a legal precedent that it is ok to use blocked CID information for certain purposes as long as the caller ID is not disclosed to the called

on the subscriber's telephone display. When the subscriber answers the phone, TAC 10 completes the connection between the two parties. 55 party

')be retrieved information from LUT 40 that is transmitted over the web m<~y appear as a scn:en pop-up on the subscriber's monitor. This CID information can then be revil."Wed and edited to include new infornwtion about the c;lllcr provided during the call. 'lbc subscriber then downloads this cditc.-d 611

infbrmation to 't:I\C 10 so lillure cttlls from the smne c<~llcr would display the n"-w information.

In step 54 if it is determinl.-d that the CID infbrmation is not associated with any existing information in the look-up table, TAC 10 determines whether the CID is blocked (identified in 65

the SS7 protocol) in step 68. I fthe Cl Dis not blocked, then the CID information is tr .. nsmincd to the subscriber's telephone

Branch Calling Branch calling is :m enhanc"-d telephone Jcature not

believed ttl be provided on to<h1y's public ll:lephone networks. ·ntis feature can be easily pwvid"-d using TAC 10.

Branch c;tllinl'o is a technique wherc 01 caller places a first call intended lora called party to TAC 10. A tier receiving the call, TAC 10 lonks up the call handling. instructiuns programmed into TAC 10 by the subscriber via the web. via the telephone, or via any other technique. One set uf these instructions is branch calling, which instructs TA(' 10 to simultaneously call any number of different telephone num-



us 7,764,777 82 11 12

may be applied to other than telephones, such as computers or other types of communication equipment.

bers programnu:d into TAC 10 by the subscriber. The called phone numbers may he any combination of Inca!, lnng dis· tancc, or cellular numbers.

When a pany answers one of the ringing lines, the answer· ing pany is connected to the calling pany, and the other calls arc abandonc:d.

In step 96, if the call is not answered al\er the ring, it is detennin.:d whether the other telephone bas been answered

s (step 104). If not, the two phones continue to ring.

For branch calling to operate in the most desirable manner, the system must detect that a call has been answered in order to tenninate the calls to the other telephones (or other end units). Accordingly, some fonn of answer supervision must 10

be present. Answer supervision is implemented inside the J>STN but generally not available to privme networks (e.g., I'ABXs). Sim:e SS7 signaling suppons answer supervision. it

If it is determined in step 104 that another telephone has been answered (i.e., the answer supervision signal has been received by TAC 10), the call to the first telephone is abandoned (step 106).

1be same operation is perfonn~-d with respect to the s~'Cond telephone call in steps 108·113.

Any number of telephone calls may be simultan~'Ously placed by 'I:J\C 10 in ~'Sponse to a branch calling instruction.

is easy for this branch culling lcaturc to be pmvided through TAC 10 since TAC 10 is conm.~ted inside the PSTN.

In step 86, ifthe instructions pn)grmnmed by the subscriber 15 arc to block the call. then TAC I 0 blocks the call in sto:p 87.

While particular embodiments l1f the present invention have been shown and described. it will be obvious to those skilled in the art tlmt changes and modilications may bem<tdc without departing lrom this invention in its broader aspects

Prior an systems without answer supervision must call each forwarding number sequentially. whereby a tier a certain number of preprogrdllll1led rings, the calling stops and the next number is called until soml . .>one answers the phone. Because a ringing time-out must occur before the next call CWl be tried. Wl unrealistically long delay can occur before the call is placed to the proper telephone and finally answ.:rcd.ln contrast, the present invention allows 1:1\C 10 to ring all the numbers simultan~'Ously so the call can be answered quickly.

2u and, there lore, the appended claims arc to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications that tall within the true spirit and scope of this invention.

What is claimed is: 1. A method performed by a web-enabled processinl_l sys·

It is desimble that the answ.:r supervision signaling not be delayed so that the calling and called panics may be con· n~'Cted quickly when the call is answered and so that during the delay time two panics do not answer two different ringing phones.

25 tern connected to operate at least in part with a communica· tion network comprising edge switches for routing calls from and to subscribers within a local googr<~phic area and switch· ing facilities for routing calls to other ~-dge switches or other switching facilities local or in other geographic areas, the

FIG. I 0 is a flowchart of some scenarios in bmnch calling, whereby an incoming call to TAC 10 causes TAC 10 to place at least two new calls simultaneously and, when one of these phones is answered, the remaining calls are abandoned.

Jo method comprising the steps of:

In step 80 of FIG. 10, TAC 10 receives an incoming call. In step 82, TAC 10 looks up the routing instructions for the 35

DNIS (Diah.-d Number Identification Service) and caller ID (if any). The DNIS identifies the number that wus called, and th.: call.:r ID (CID) idl!lllifie:; the calling telephone numbl.!r and sometimes the caller. f>NIS works by tmnsmitting the touch tone digits to TAC 10. A subscriber for TAC 10 may 411

progr<~m TAC 10, as previously described. to perlorm any number of functions based upon the DNIS number. the Cll), the time of duy. or based upon any other li1ctor. Such instruc· tions may he sto~>d in a look-up table addressed by the sub· scriber's public phone number (identified by the DNIS num· 4~ ber). Since multiple subscribers will be using the same li\C I 0, TAC I 0 n~'Cds to know what number was dialed in order to pcrfonn the function on the cull sci~'Cted by the subscriber.

In step 86. TAC' 1 0 identifies the li:ature:; to upply to the incoming call. If the instructions arc to block the call, then 5u 'li\C I 0 blocks the call in step 87. In the present cxmnple, it is assumed that tlu: li:aturc the subscriber wants to apply is a br.1nch calling feature where two telephon.: numbers are to be called by TAC 10.

In step 88, TAC I 0 genemtes a ring hack tone to the caller 55 to indicate that a telephone is ringing.

receiving a call in ~'Sponse to a calling pany entering a tirst number, using a communications devic.:, intended lhr a subscriber. the web-enabled processing system coupled to at least one switching facility of the communication network. the web-enabled processing system processing the call pursuant to at least one calling feature desig· nated by said subscriber, where the at least one calling leature had previously been communicated to the web· enahk-d processing system by said subscriber via the internet;

phtcing 111 lcust two calls simultaneously to at least two different communications devices designated by the subscriber:

detecting that the C'd1J has b~~n answcr~-d at one of the communications devices: <Did

in response to the detecting, ilbandoning other calls to the remaining one or moll! communications devic~'S and '-'Stabhshing a connection betw~'Cn the calling p11rty's communications device and the Wlswered communications device.

2. '!be method of cluim I further comprising: detecting tirst infonnatiun about the soun:e of the call: associating the first information with a calling feature,

previously select~-d by the subscriber to be perlonned on the call, the calling feature h.:ing tolorward the call to at least two communications dcvic~os; and

simultaneously placing at least two calls to at least two communications devic~'S.

In step 90, l'AC 10 places a call to a first telephone number, which causes the called phone to ring (step 92). Parallel operations arc performed for a second phone number in steps 93and95.

In step 96, it is detennined by TAC 10 whether the first phone has been Wlswered using answer supervision signaling provided by SS7 (st~'P 98).

3. 'Ibe method of claim 1 whell!in the at least two calls to 60 the communications devices arc any combination of local

call, long distance call, cellular call, and VOIP cull.

In response to the answer supervision signaling, TAC 10 abandons the other cull to the second telephone (step 100).

In step 102. TAC 10 completes the phone call by connect· ing the calling party to the answered telephone. This process

4. The method of claim I wherein, wh~'D one of the calls to the communications devices is answered, an answer supervision signal is transmitted to the processing system, and the

65 processing system abandons the other calls. 5. The method of claim 4 wherein the answ~'f supervision is

pursuant to the SS7 signaling protocol.



us 7,764,777 82 13

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the web-enabled processing system is conm..-ctcd to the switching facility. which is a PSlN tandem switch within the couununication network. which is a public switched telephone network (PSTN). and wherein receiving a call from a calling party comprises the s steps of:

receiving a first call through the tandem switch from the calling party intended lor the subscriber after the calling party has entered u first telephone number, the first telephone number being the subscriber's public telephone to munber, said processing system simultaneously placing at least second and third calls using second and third telephone nwnbers different from the lirst telephone number.

7. A controller t."'nnectcd within the public switched tele· IS phone network (PSTN) and conligured to perform enhanced routing operations, comprising:

a processing system conDI .. 'Cted within the PSTN and linked via the interne for selecting at least one calling fearurc, the processing system configured to perform the steps 20

of: rL'Ct:iving a c<~ll from il c;tlling party, using u cmnmwticu·

tions device, intended for a subscriber. whereby said proet:ssing system implements a calling feaiUre previ-ously designmed by said subscriber via the internet; ~~

placing at least two calls simultmteously to at least two ditleNnt commwtications devices previously designated by the subscriber;

dctt.'Cling that the call has bet:n mtswt:red at one of the communications dcvict.'S; and Jo

in Nsponse to the dett.'Cting. abandoning other calls to the remaining one or more communications dt.-vices and establishing a connection betwt.oen the calling puny's couununications device md the mswercd communica-tions device. JS

8. The controller of claim 7 wherein the processing system is configuNd to perform the process comprising the additional steps of:

dett.'Cting first information about the source of the call; associating the first information with a feature. selectt.>d by 40

the subscriber, to be performed on the call, the feature being to lhrward the call to the at least two dillerent communications devices; and

simultaneously placing the at least two calls to the at least two different communications dcvices. 4S

9. The controller of claim 7 wherein the at least two calls to the communications devices arc any combination of local cull, long distance call, cellular call, and VOIP call.

10. The controller of claim 7 wherein, when one ofthe calls to the communications dt.-vict.-s is answered, an mswer super· so vision signal is trunsmined to the processing system. and the processing system abandons the other <.:ails.

11. The controller of claim 7 wherein the processing sys· tern is I."'nnt.'Cted to a PSTN tandem switch within the PST!\, and wherein receiving a call lrom a c<~lling pany compriSL--s '5

the step of: receiving a first call through the tandem switch lrom the

culling purty intendt.-d for the subscriber alier the calling p<trty has enter1.-d a lirst h:lephone number, the lirst telephone number being the subscriber's public telephone 60 number. suid processing systt:m simult.tnt.oously placing at least second and thinl calls using s~:eond and third telephone numbers different !rom the first telephone number.

12. The controller of claim 7 wherein thc processing sys- 65 tern is connt.'Cted to the PS'IN in the subscriber's local service arc-.t.

14 13. The controller of claim 7 wherein the subscriber is a

subscriber of residential telephone service. 14. The controller of claim 7 wherein the subscriber is a

subscriber of business telephone service. 15. A method performed by a processing system couplt.-d to

a switching facility lor routing calls to edge switches or other switching facilities in local or other gcugrdphic areas, within a couununication network, comprising the steps of:

placing at least two calls simultaneously to at least two diffeNnt communications devices designated by a subscriber using a communications device. the pn1cessing system processing the calls pursuant to at least one calling feature designatt.-d by said subscriber.

where the at least one calling featuN had previously been couununicated to the processing sy1Hem by said subscriber via the internet;

receiving the at least two calls made simultmtt.'Ously to said at least two diiTerent communications devices designated by said subscriber via the internet;

detecting that one of the calls has been answered at one of the couununications devices; and

in Nsponsc Ill the dett.-cting, abandoning other culls to the remaining one or more communications devices and establishing a connection between said subscriber"s communications device nnd the i!IISwered communic••· tions d1.-vice.

16. A controllt:r connwtt.od to a t;mdcm switch within the public switched telephone network (PSTN) comprising:

a proc~:Ssing system linked to tin: inh:rnct li1r allowing a subscriber to select at least one calling feature over the web. the processing system t."'nrigured to perform the process comprising the steps of: placing at least two calls simuham.'Ously to at l~rJst two

dillerent communications devices designated by a subscriber using a communications device. the processing system processing the calls pursuant to at least one calling feature designated by said subscriber, where the at least one calling Jeature bad previously bet.'ll communicated In the processing sys· tem by said subscriber via the internet:

receiving at least two calls made simultaneously to said at least two diiTeNnt couunwtications devices designated by the subscriber via the internet;

dett.'Cting that the call hils been answered ut onc of the commwtications dt.'Vices; mtd

in response to the detecting, abandoning other calls to the remaining one or more couununications devices and establishing a connection between the calling pany's couununications device and the mtswen.-d couunwtications device.

17. A controller connected to a switching lacility allowing acct.-ss to local and other gt."'gruphic aNas within the public switched telt.'Phone network (PSTN) comprising:

a processing system linkt.-d 111 the internet lor ullowing " subscriber to sel1.'Ct at least nne calling feature via the internet. the processing system configured to perform the pmcess comprising the steps of: receiving a cull under the contml of suid eontn>llcr fmm

<t calling party, using a I."'nununications dc:vice. intended for a subscriber, the pmccssing system proct.ossing the call pursuant to atleastum: calling. ft:ature designated by said subscriber. where the <II least one calling feature had previously been communicated to the processing system by said subscriber via the inter· net;

invoking the at least one calling li:atuN prior to said received call reaching a tcrminuting ccntrdl office.



us 7,764,777 82 15

said at least one calling feature placing at least two calls simultaneously to at least two different communications devices previously d~o.'SignatL'<I by said subscriber;

detecting that one of atl~o.-asttwo calls has been answered at one of the ~:ommunications devic~o.'S: and

in rcspoilSe to the detecting. -.bandoning other calls to the remaining one or more conununications dL>Viccs and establishing il coru1ection bctwe~:n the calling party's communications device and the answered 10

communications device. 18. A method lor processing an incoming call from a

switching facility on a communication network that comprises edge switchL'S for routing calls to subscribers within a local gcogrnphic area und switching lacilities for routing calls 15

to edge switches, or other switching lacilitics local or in other gcogrophic areas the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a lirst call. which is intendL'Ii lor a specified recipient, at a controlling device in communication with the switching fucility; 2u

identifying one or more control criteria previously associated with the sp~.ocificd recipient, wherein the one or more control criteria was enten.-d via a web-based interlace;

initiating a second call at the controlling device in accor- 25

dance with the control criteria associated with the SpL'Cified recipient; and

connecting the first and second calls at the controlling device after the second call is received by a communi-cation device associated with the specified recipient. 30

19. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein the communication network comprises any one or more of a switched network. a packet-has~o.-d network. and a wireless network.

20. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein th~: commu-nication dwice is a digital device. 3 ~

21. A method as defined in claim 18. wherein the controlling dL-vic~: is implemented using a distributt.-d architecture spmuting m least two locations.

22. A method us defined in claim 18, wherein the control-40

lin~.t device utilizes a programmed processor utilizing the TL>M architecture.

23. A method as defined in claim 18. wherein the controlling device utili:a.>s a prugr.mmted processor utilizing packet switching.

45 24. A method us defined in claim 18, wherein the control

ling device utiliz~o.'S a progrommed processor utilizing a voice over lP (\<oiP) architecture.

25.A method as defined in claim 18, wherein at least one of the lirst and second calls is lacilitated via a VoiP connection. so

26. A method as dcfmcd in claim 18, wherein at least either of the first call or the SL'Cond call is rout~o.'Cl within the communication network.

27. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein both the first and s~o.'CUnd calls are lacilitated via VoJP connections.

28. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein the control· ling device is located witltin a local service area correspond-ing to the specified recipient.

29. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein the controlling device is conligured as a tandem access controller.

30. A method as definc.-d in claim 29, wherein the tandem access controller is coupled to and opcmtes in t,:onjunction with at least one of the switching facilities located within the communication network.

ss

60

31. A method as dclined in claim 18. wherein both the first 65

and second calls are routed within th~: communication network.

16 32. A method as defined in claim 18, wherein at least either

one of the first and second calls is facilitated over a wireless link.

33. A method :1s defined in claim 18. wherein the communication network may usc any one of a wired telephone device. a computing device. n wireless device. n cellular device. a portable device with cellular capability. :md an information appliance.

34. :\ method as defined in claim 18. wherein the communication network comprises a network of switching lacilities performing a class 4 switching function.

35. A method as defined in claim 18. wherein the communication network comprises a network of class 4 switches.

36. A method as defined in claim 18, where the control criteria are ext.'Cuted by the controlling device to perli>rm one or more of the li>llowing opcr.tlions:

a) Web-Based Tel~o.ocom Navigator; b) Manage Incoming Call Control: c) Conditional Call Blockin!Y'Forwardin!Y'Aierting: Call

Screenin!Y'Rctrk-val from \oice Mail: d) lntemctive Voice R~o.osponse and Speech Recognition; e) Manage Outgoing Call Comrol; 0 Click-to-Dial Calling: g) Group Calling and Messaging; h) Web-Based Billing; i) Cost-Effective Single Phone Number Access; j) Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not800Toll Service); k) Retain Current Number (Local Number Portability); I) Low-Cost Calling Throughout LATA: m) Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange; n) Standard DTMF und VoiP Phlm~o.-s: o) C~o.'lltralized and Consist~:nt Personal Data: p) Private/Public Phone Directories and Calendars: q) "Post-It'" Style Annotation of Numbers: r) Web Dialing; s) Click-to-Dial lrom Web Pages. Directories. Calendars;

Multiple Phone List Munagement: Voice Mail Access. Prompts. Aler1 Via Web; Mode-Ha:~ed I >elinition and Selection, comprising Time-of-Day, L>ay-of-Week. Follow-Me, Caller Recognition/Password, Caller ID. Vacation, Dillnl.!r Time. Go Away. Family Call Waiting; Leaming Modes; Automatic Data Capture: Build Phone List Based on Collected Usage Information: VoJP Link Degr.tdation Det~o.'Ction; and Automatic Cutover to the public switched communication network.

37. A method for processing an incoming call lrom u switching facility on a communication network that comprises edge switch~o.>s lor routing c<~lls within a loc<~l gcogrophic urea and switching facilities for routing calls to other geographic areas, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving a first call, at a controlling device in conununication with the switching facility; which is intended for a spccifi~o.'<l recipient;

identifying one or more control criteria previously associated with the specified n.ocipient. wherein the one or more control criteria are entered via a web-bused interface:

initiating a SL'L-ond call at the controlling device via a packet-based conm.oction in accordance with the control criteria associated with thl.! specified recipiL'Ilt: and

connecting th~: first and second calls at the controlling device aller the SL"Cond call is rt.-ceived by a communiC."'Ition device associated with the spccilic.'<l n:cipicnt.



us 7,764,777 82 17

38. A m..:thod as dd1ned in claim 37, wherein the s~>cilied rL-cipient uses a communication device in communication with the controlling device via a web interface by which the specified rL>cipient can view the status of calls or features designations.

39. A m..:thod as defined in claim 38, wherein the communication device is any one of a wired telephone device, a computing device, a wireless device, a cellular device, a por· table device with cellular capability, a digital device, and an information appliance.

40. A method as defined in claim 37, wherein the control criteria are executed by the controlling device to perform one or more of the following operations:

10

18 receiving a first call, which is intended lor a specified

recipient, at a controlling device in communication with the switching facility;

identifying one or more control criteria prwiously associated with the specified recipient. wherein the one or more control criteria arc previously entered via a webbased interface; and

initiating one or more calls at the controlling device in accordance with the control criteria associated with the specified recipient; and

if the one or more calls are not answered by the specified recipient. routing the ftrst call from the controlling dL-vice to a voicemail server.

a) Web-Based Telecom Navigator; b) Manage Incoming Call Control; c) Conditional Call Blockini:!I'Forwarding/Aierting: Call

43. A method as delined in claim 42, wherein the commuIS nication m:twork L-omprisL-s a n..:twork of switching facilities

performing a class 4 switching function. ScrL-cning/RetriL'Val from Voic~: Mail;

d) Interactive \{lice RL'Sponse and SpCL'Ch Recognition; 44. A method as delined in claim 42. wherein the commu

nication network comprises u network of class 4 switches. 45. /\ method for processing an incoming call lrom a e) Manage Outgoing Call Control;

I) Click-to-Dial Calling; g) Group Calling and Messaging; h) Web-Based Billing; i) Cost·Eil"cctive Single Phone Number Access:

~o switching facility on a communicution netwurk that com· prises ooge ~-witches lor routing culls within a local geogr"dphic area and switching facilities lor routing clllls to other gcugraphic areas. the method comprising the st1.-ps of:

j) Free Local Calls, Incoming Calls (not 8001bll Service): k) Retain Current Number (Local Number Portability); I) Low-Cost Calling throughout LA"Ii\; m) Flat-Rate Foreign Exchange; n) Standard DTMF and \<oiP PhonL'S; o) Centrnli1.ed and Consistent Personal Data; p) Private/Public Phone Directori1.'S and Calendars; q)"Post-Jt" Style Annotation of Numbers; r) Web Dialing;

30

s) Click·to·f>ial from Web Pages, Directories, Calendars; Multiple Phone List Management; Voice Mail Access, Prompts, Alert Via Web; Mode-BasL'Cl Definition and JS Selection, comprising Time-of-Day, Day-of· Week, Follow-Me, Caller RL'Cognition/Password, Caller JD, Vaca· tion, Dinner Time, Go Away, Family Call Waiting; Learning ModL'S; Automatic Data Capture; Build Phone List Ra.~ed on Collected Usage Information; VoJP Link 40

Degradation Detection; and Automatic Cutover to the public switched communication network.

41. A method us defined in claim 37. wherein the packet· based com1cction includes u VOJP connection.

42. A method lor processing un incoming cull lrom a 4~ switching facility on u communication network that com· prises Lodge switchL'S for muting calls within a local geo· gmphic an:a and switching facilities lor routing calls to other geogr.tphic aNUs, the method comprising the steps ol:

receiving a first call. which is intended lbr a speciliL>d recipient. at a controlling device in 1.:onmmnication with the switching facility;

identiJYing one or more control criteria prL'Viously associ· ated with the specified recipient. wherein the one or more control criteria are entered via a w~:b-baSL'Cl inter· face; and

routing the first call from the controlling device to a voice· mail server in accordance with the control criteria associated with the specified recipient.

46. A method lor processing an incoming call lr01n a switching facility on a communication network that comprises edge switches lor routing calls within a local geographic area and switching facilities for routing calls to other geographic ar1.'as, the method 1.-omprising the steps of:

receiving a first call, which is intended for a s~'Cilied recipient, at a controlling device in communication with one of the switching facilities;

identil)'ing a control criteria previously associatL-d with the specified recipient. wherein the control criteria is previously entered via a web-based interface and instructs the controlling devict: to block calls for the specilit:d rccipi· cnt; and

blocking 1he first call recciv"'Cl 01tthe 1.-ontrolling device in accordance with the contn1l criteria.

• • •


(12> united states patent patent no.: wood et al. date of ... · case 3:15-cv-00742-tjc-mcr...

Documents