U.S. patent application number 10/441358 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-10 for intelligent telephone set.
This patent application is currently assigned to WorldCom, Inc.. Invention is credited to Kim, Hack.
Application Number | 20050053218 10/441358 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25240628 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050053218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Hack |
March 10, 2005 |
Intelligent telephone set
Abstract
An intelligent telephone set is disclosed that includes a
caller-ID circuit that extracts a call identifier from an incoming
call. A call processing circuit in communication with the caller-ID
circuit assigns the incoming call to a caller category associated
with the call identifier. Subsequently, it selects a call
processing action corresponding to the caller category and
processes the incoming call using the selected call processing
action. The intelligent telephone set allows users to set criteria
for receiving and processing calls based on CID data One such call
processing action is to use CID data to forward an incoming call to
a predetermined location.
Inventors: |
Kim, Hack; (Plano,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCI, INC
TECHNOLOGY LAW DEPARTMENT
1133 19TH STREET NW, 10TH FLOOR
WASHINGTON
DC
20036
US
|
Assignee: |
WorldCom, Inc.
Jackson
MS
|
Family ID: |
25240628 |
Appl. No.: |
10/441358 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10441358 |
May 20, 2003 |
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09824116 |
Apr 2, 2001 |
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6584188 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
379/211.02 ;
379/142.01 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04M 3/54 20130101; H04M
19/04 20130101; H04M 2215/0108 20130101; H04M 15/745 20130101; H04M
1/006 20130101; H04M 1/57 20130101; H04M 15/06 20130101; H04M
3/42059 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
379/211.02 ;
379/142.01 |
International
Class: |
H04M 003/42; H04M
001/56; H04M 015/06 |
Claims
1. In a telephone set having a database, an instruction set, and a
graphical user interface including a display and a data entry
device, a method of providing and selecting from a menu on the
display, the method comprising: retrieving a set of menu entries
from the menu; displaying the menu entries on the display, each
menu entry representing a programmable operation; selecting one
menu entry from the set of menu entries on the display using the
data entry device; performing the programmable operation
represented by the selected menu entry; and transmitting a signal
from the telephone set, the signal being indicative of the selected
menu entry.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing includes
searching the database.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing includes
adding to the database, modifying the database, or deleting at
least a portion of the database.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the database further comprises: a
first portion having stored therein a plurality of caller
identifiers, each caller identifier being associated with one
calling category of a plurality of calling categories; a second
portion including a library of ringing tones, each ringing tone
being associated with one calling category of the plurality of
calling categories; and a third portion including a record log for
storing at least one call characteristic of at least one telephone
call established between the telephone set and a remote destination
telephone set.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting includes
emitting an audible signal.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of transmitting includes
displaying the signal on the display.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the steps of retrieving and
selecting are performed by voice command, keyboard entry, mouse,
touch screen, or via personal computer.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing includes
adding to the instruction set, modifying the instruction set, or
deleting at least a portion of the instruction set.
9. The method of claim 4, wherein the at least one call
characteristic includes a telephone number, a date of the incoming
call, a time of the incoming call, and the category of the incoming
call.
10. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of performing includes
adding, modifying or deleting at least one of the plurality of
caller identifiers.
11. The method of claim 4, wherein the plurality of calling
categories includes an important call category, a regular call
category, and an undesirable call category.
12. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of performing includes
storing the at least one call characteristic for each outgoing call
in the record log.
13. The method of claim 4, wherein the telephone set is operative
to store the at least one call characteristic for each incoming
call in the record log for at least thirty days.
14. The method of claim 13, wherein the at least one call
characteristic includes a called party identifier, a date of the
outgoing call, a time of the outgoing call, and a duration of the
outgoing call.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the at least one of the
plurality of caller identifiers includes a telephone number, a
party name, a party affiliation, or an address.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein the menu entries include an
option for searching the instructions set.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein the menu entries include an
option for searching the database.
18. The method of claim 1, wherein the menu entries include an
option for modifying the instruction set.
19. The method of claim 1, wherein the menu entries include an
option for modifying the database.
20. The method of claim 19, wherein the database includes a
plurality of records, each record of each call identifier, caller
category, and at least one call statistic for every incoming and
outgoing call.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein the menu entries include an
option for retrieving any record in the database.
22. The method of claim 20, wherein the menu entries include an
option for searching the records in the database.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein the menu entries include an
option for sorting the records in the database.
24. A computer readable medium having computer executable
instructions for performing a method, the method comprising:
extracting a call identifier from an incoming call; assigning the
incoming call to a caller category based on the call identifier,
the caller category being one of a plurality of caller categories;
processing the incoming call in accordance with one of a plurality
of call processing routines, the processor selecting a call
processing routine corresponding to the assigned caller category;
and record the call identifier, the caller category, and at least
one call statistic in the database.
25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: emitting a ring
having a predetermined ringing tone associated with the caller
category; forwarding the incoming call to a predetermined
destination based on the caller category if the ring is not
answered within a predetermined number of ringing cycles; and
forwarding the incoming call to the voice mail component if the
step of forwarding the incoming call to a predetermined destination
is unsuccessful.
26. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of
transmitting a paging message by way of the computer interface, the
paging message including the call identifier, the caller category,
and at least one call statistic.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the at least one call statistic
includes the time and date of the incoming call.
28. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of
transmitting a wireless message by way of the computer interface,
the wireless message including the call identifier, the caller
category, and at least one call statistic.
29. The method of claim 28, wherein the at least one call statistic
includes the time and date of the incoming call.
30. The method of claim 25, further comprising the step of
transmitting an e-mail message by way of the computer interface,
the e-mail message including the call identifier, the caller
category, and at least one call statistic.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one call statistic
includes the time and date of the incoming call.
32. The method of claim 31, wherein the caller category is assigned
a priority caller category status.
33. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of performing includes
retrieving the call identifier, the caller category, and at least
one call statistic from the database.
34. The method of claim 24, further comprising: emitting a ring
having a predetermined ringing tone associated with the caller
category; forwarding the incoming call to the voice mail component
if the ring is not answered within a predetermined number of
ringing Cycles; and recording at least one call statistic in the
database, wherein the at least one call statistic includes the time
and date of the incoming call.
35. The method of claim 34, wherein the caller category is assigned
a default caller category status.
36. The method of claim 34, wherein the step of performing includes
retrieving the call identifier, the caller category, and at least
one call statistic from the database.
37. The method of claim 24, further comprising: emitting a ring
having a predetermined ringing tone associated with the caller
category; playing a recorded message to the caller; disconnecting
the incoming call after playing the recorded message; and recording
the at least one call statistic in the database, wherein the at
least one call statistic includes the time and date of the incoming
call.
38. The method of claim 37, wherein the at least one call
characteristic includes a telephone number, a date of the incoming
call, a time of the incoming call, and the category of the incoming
call.
39. The method of claim 37, wherein the step of performing includes
retrieving the call identifier, the caller category, and at least
one call statistic from the database.
40. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of
transmitting an electronic message by way of the computer
interface, the electronic message selected from a group comprising
a paging message, a wireless message, or an e-mail message.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a divisional of copending U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 09/824,116, filed Apr. 2, 2001,
entitled "Intelligent Telephone Set."
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to telephone
devices, and particularly to an intelligent telephone set equipped
with caller-ID and call forwarding capabilities.
[0004] 2. Technical Background
[0005] The local exchange carriers (LECS) offer their customers
various services such as caller ID (CID), call forwarding, and
voice mail. Caller identification (CID) services are offered by the
telephone companies to provide caller information to called
parties. Typically, the CID is the caller's telephone number. The
CID information is used to track incoming calls, to trace malicious
and prank calls, to store identified numbers for re-dial, and to
block unwanted calls. Most countries employ the 1200 baud Bell 202
standard or the CCITT V.23 FSK format to provide CID services.
[0006] In one approach that has been considered, a
telecommunications device was equipped to receive and analyze
packetized information preceding the incoming call. The packetized
information identified the call as being either a speech type call
or data type call. The device generated a distinct ringing tone for
data messages, and another distinct ringing tone for speech data
Based on the tone, the device doubled as a telephone set and a
facsimile machine.
[0007] In another approach that has been considered, the service
provider used an ISDN network to provide a signaling channel out of
the voice band to transmit call forwarding information to the
called party's telephone set. The call was forwarded without the
called party having to answer the call. The call was also forwarded
without having to interrupt an on-going call.
[0008] While the above mentioned applications are useful, they are
quite limited in their use of CID information. What is needed is an
intelligent telephone set that allows a user to set criteria for
receiving and processing calls based on CID data stored in the
telephone set. In addition, an intelligent telephone set is needed
that is capable of using CID data to forward calls in accordance
with the extracted CID data Typically, network based call
forwarding services have to be manually activated and inactivated
by the user. This often results in users being charged for unwanted
calls being forwarded to their wireless units. By using an
intelligent telephone set that forwarded calls using CID data,
users could bypass the call forwarding services offered by the
local exchange carriers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention addresses the above stated problems.
An intelligent telephone set is provided that allows users to set
criteria for receiving and processing calls based on CID data The
intelligent telephone set of the present invention also uses CID
data to forward calls. The present invention provides CID, voice
mail, and call-forwarding services while bypassing the Local
Exchange Carriers (LECS). The present invention is applicable to
the wireline network as well as the wireless network.
[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a telephone device
for use in a telecommunications network. The telephone device is
coupled to the telecommunications network by a plurality of
telephone lines. The telephone device includes a caller-ID circuit
operative to extract a call identifier from an incoming call
propagating on a first telephone line of the plurality of telephone
lines. A call processing circuit is coupled to the caller-ID
circuit, the call processing circuit being operative to assign the
incoming call to a caller category based on the call identifier, to
select a call processing action corresponding to the caller
category, and to process the incoming call in accordance with the
selected call processing action.
[0011] In another aspect, the present invention includes a
telephone set for use in a telecommunications network. The
telephone set includes a caller-ID component coupled to the
network, the caller-ID component is operative to extract a call
identifier from an incoming call. A processor is coupled to the
caller-ID component. The processor is programmed to assign the
incoming call to a caller category based on the call identifier,
the caller category being one of a plurality of caller categories,
and process the incoming call in accordance with one of a plurality
of call processing routines, the processor selecting a call
processing routine corresponding to the assigned caller
category.
[0012] In another aspect, the present invention includes a
telephone device for use in a telecommunications network. The
telephone device is coupled to the telecommunications network by a
plurality of telephone lines. The telephone device includes a
database component having stored therein a plurality of caller
identifiers, each caller identifier being associated with one
calling category of a plurality of calling categories. A caller-ID
circuit is operative to extract a call identifier from an incoming
call propagating on a first telephone line of the plurality of
telephone lines. A call processing circuit is coupled to the
caller-ID circuit and the database. The call processing circuit
being operative to associate the incoming call to a caller category
based on the call identifier association in the database, to select
a call processing action corresponding to the caller category, and
to process the incoming call in accordance with the selected call
processing action. A call forwarding circuit is coupled to the call
processing circuit. The call forwarding circuit is operative to
forward the incoming call to a predetermined telephone number over
the second telephone line when the call identifier is associated
with a predetermined caller category.
[0013] In another aspect, the present invention includes a
telephone device for use in a telecommunications network. The
telephone device is coupled to the telecommunications network by a
plurality of telephone lines. The telephone device includes a
database having stored therein data, the data including a plurality
of caller identifiers, each caller identifier being associated with
one calling category of a plurality of calling categories. A
caller-ID circuit is operative to extract a call identifier from an
incoming call propagating on one of the plurality of telephone
lines. A call processing circuit is coupled to the caller-ID
circuit and the database. The call processing circuit is operative
to associate the incoming call to a caller category based on the
call identifier association in the database, to select a call
processing action corresponding to the caller category; and to
process the incoming call in accordance with the selected call
processing action. A data entry component is coupled to the
database, the data entry component being operative to add data to
the database, modify data in the database, or delete data from the
database.
[0014] In another aspect, the present invention includes a method
for processing an incoming telephone call using a telephone set.
The telephone set is coupled to a telecommunications network by a
plurality of telephone lines. The telecommunications network
including both wireline networks and wireless networks. The method
includes extracting a call identifier from the incoming call
propagating on a first telephone line of the plurality of telephone
lines. The incoming call is assigned to a caller category based on
the call identifier. A call processing action is selected
corresponding to the caller category. The incoming call is
processed in accordance with the selected call processing
action.
[0015] In another aspect, the present invention includes a method
of providing and selecting from a menu on the display of a
telephone set. The telephone set having a database, an instruction
set, and a graphical user interface having a display and a data
entry device. The method includes retrieving a set of menu entries
from the menu. The menu entries are displayed on the display, each
menu entry representing a telephone set maintenance operation. One
menu entry is selected from the set of menu entries on the display
using the data entry device. The operation representing the
selected menu entry is performed. A signal from the telephone set
is transmitted, the signal being indicative of the selected menu
entry.
[0016] In another aspect, the present invention includes a computer
readable medium having stored thereon a database. The database
includes a first portion having stored therein a plurality of
caller identifiers. Each caller identifier being associated with
one calling category of a plurality of calling categories. A second
portion includes a library of ringing tones, each ringing tone
being associated with one calling category of the plurality of
calling categories. A third portion includes a record log for
storing at least one call characteristic of at least one telephone
call established between the telephone set and a remote destination
telephone set.
[0017] In another aspect, the present invention includes a computer
readable medium having stored thereon a data structure. The data
structure includes an incoming caller identifier, a date of an
incoming call, a time of the incoming call, and a caller
category.
[0018] In another aspect, the present invention includes a computer
readable medium having stored thereon a data structure. The data
structure includes a calling party identifier, a date of an
outgoing call, a time of the outgoing call, a caller category, and
a duration of the outgoing call.
[0019] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be
set forth in the detailed description which follows, and in part
will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from that
description or recognized by practicing the invention as described
herein, including the detailed description which follows, the
claims, as well as the appended drawings.
[0020] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are merely
exemplary of the invention, and are intended to provide an overview
or framework for understanding the nature and character of the
invention as it is claimed. The accompanying drawings are included
to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are
incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The
drawings illustrate various embodiments of the invention, and
together with the description serve to explain the principles and
operation of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 2A is a top view of the housing of one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of a wireless embodiment of
the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic depiction of the memory map in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; and
[0025] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing call processing in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Reference will now be made in detail to the present
exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts. An exemplary embodiment of the
telephone set of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, and is
designated generally throughout by reference numeral 10.
[0027] In accordance with the invention, the present invention for
an intelligent telephone set includes a caller-ID circuit operative
to extract a call identifier from an incoming call propagating on a
telephone line. A call processing circuit is coupled to the
caller-ID circuit. The call processing circuit assigns the incoming
call to a caller category based on the call identifier. The caller
categories include important calls, regular calls, and undesirable
calls. However, the present invention allows the user to create any
number of caller categories. After the incoming call has been
assigned to a caller category, a call processing action is selected
that corresponds to the caller category. The incoming call is
processed in accordance with the selected call processing action.
Thus, the intelligent telephone set allows users to set criteria
for receiving and processing calls based on CID data The
intelligent telephone set also uses CID data to forward calls.
[0028] As embodied herein, and depicted in FIG. 1, a functional
block diagram of the intelligent telephone set 10 in accordance
with one embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.
Telephone set 10 includes line interface 12 which accommodates a
plurality of telephone lines connected to the public telephone
network. Line interface 12 is connected to DTMF transceiver 14, PCM
codec 16, and caller ID circuit 18. Telephone set 10 also includes
processor 20, memory 22, computer interface 24, display 26, and
user interface 28. All of the above listed elements are coupled by
system bus 30.
[0029] Line interface 12 may be of any suitable type, but by way of
example, interface 12 includes an integrated circuit, such as a
Motorola MC34010P, coupled to isolation transformers. The isolation
transformers prevent grounding problerns. As one of ordinary skill
in the art will recognize, signals from the network are translated
by interface 12 into signals having a correct format and amplitude.
Interface 12 may also include a buffer amplifier and an adjustable
potentiometer to provide optimal signal levels.
[0030] DTMF (dual tone multi-frequency) transceiver 14 is operative
to generate and detect audible tones associated with a telephone
network. DTMF 14 is also adapted to generate DTMF dialing tones to
initiate a call through the telephone lines coupled to interface
12. DTMF 14 detects DTMF tones received from the telephone line via
line interface 12.
[0031] PCM codec transceiver 16 uses a standard digitization scheme
to band limit voice frequencies to the 300-3300 Hz frequency band.
Codec 18 performs an A/D conversion of an analog voice message
using a :-law companding scheme. When sampling the analog waveform,
larger amplitudes are compressed relative to the smaller
amplitudes, providing an equivalent 12-bit accuracy within an 8-bit
digital word. The 8-bit words generated by codec 18 can be stored
in RAM 26, or in a memory resident in processor 22. In one
embodiment, codec 16 includes a semiconductor IC manufactured by
SGS Thompson or by the National Semiconductor Company having the
product number ETC5056, or equivalent.
[0032] Caller ID circuit 18 may be of any suitable type, but there
is shown by way of example a single CID receiver chip 18. In one
embodiment, CID receiver chip 18 is an integrated circuit that
includes an A/D converter, a CID detection circuit, a gain
adjusting circuit, a demodulator, and a serial-to-parallel buffer.
The detection circuit in CID circuit 18 recognizes a channel
seizure signal that alerts chip 18 that a CID mark signal will
follow. After synchronizing with the mark signal, CID circuit 18
receives a CID data packet that includes CID information such as
telephone number, name, date, time, and error correction
information. After extracting the CID data, the serial-to-parallel
buffer converts the CID data into digital words suitable for
transmission on system bus 30.
[0033] In one embodiment, processor 20 is implemented using an
off-the-shelf microprocessor such as a Pentium processor
manufactured by Intel. In another embodiment, a DSP manufactured by
Motorola or some other manufacturer is used. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will also recognize that processor 20 can also be
implemented using application specific integrated circuits (ASIC),
or a combination of off-the-shelf processors and ASICs in the
design.
[0034] Processor 20 is programmed to support conventional call
handling functions. After CID circuit 18 extracts the CID
information from an incoming call, processor 20 must process the
incoming call based on the CID information. Among other things,
processor 20 supports remote reprogramming, call forwarding, voice
mail, and conference calls. In one embodiment, the conference call
function supports two-or more lines with selective per-caller
disconnect capability. In another embodiment, processor 20 includes
a processor programmed to handle call processing, and another
processor to accommodate the call forwarding processing. One of
ordinary skill in the art will also recognize that in other
embodiments certain call handling functions such as voice
detection, pre-recorded voice responses, and voice mail are
implemented as separate units within telephone set 10.
[0035] Memory 22 may be of any suitable type, but by way of
example, memory 22 includes a read/write random access memory (RAM)
used in data processing and data I/O, and a programmable read only
memory for storing programming instructions and database
information used by processor 20. One of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize that the memory used to store the programming
instructions and the data base may be implemented using a DRAM,
PROM, EEPROM, a hard drive, diskettes, a compact disk device, or
any other computer readable medium. A diagrammatic depiction of a
memory map in accordance with the present invention will be
discussed in more detail below.
[0036] Computer interface 24 is adapted to communicate with an
external computing device such as a personal computer. The
programming instructions and/or database stored in memory 22 can be
completely replaced or partially replaced with new instructions
down loaded from the external computing device. One of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that data flow is bi-directional.
For example, in one embodiment, processor 20 directs the personal
computer to transmit an e-mail to a predetermined e-mail address
via computer interface 24.
[0037] Display 26 may be of any suitable type, but by way of
example, display 26 includes a liquid crystal display capable of
displaying CID information, dialing information, the contents of
the database, menu information, programming instructions, or any
other information that can be displayed graphically.
[0038] User interface 28 may be of any suitable type, but there is
shown by way of example an input/output circuit coupled to system
bus 30. User interface 28 is connected to the telephone's
twelve-key dialing device, a function key set, a keyboard for data
entry and programming functions, a speaker, and a microphone.
[0039] As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 2A, a top view of
the telephone set housing 100 in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention is disclosed. Housing 100 may be formed using
a hard plastic material. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2A,
housing 100 accommodates a standard telephone receiver 280,
twelve-key dialing device 282, keyboard 284, line selection device
286, display 26, speaker 288, and microphone 290. One of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that other housing arrangements are
possible within the scope of the present invention. Twelve-key
dialing device 282 includes digits 0-9, the "*" key, and the "#"
key. In one embodiment, keyboard 284 includes function keys F1-F12,
control keys (such as an insert key, a delete key, a return key,
and etc), and the basic character keys. Line selection device 286
includes a plurality of keys allowing the user to select one of the
plurality of telephone lines connected to intelligent telephone set
10. In one embodiment, line select portion 286 also includes an
interrupt button, a speaker-phone button, and a conference-call
button. The interrupt button allows the user to interrupt
voice-mail and communicate directly with a calling party.
[0040] As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 2B, a perspective
view of a wireless embodiment 10 of the present invention is
disclosed. Wireless telephone set 10 includes handset 280,
twelve-key dialing device 282, keyboard 284, and liquid crystal
display 26.
[0041] As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 3, a diagrammatic
depiction of the memory map in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention is disclosed. Memory 22 includes programmable
instruction set 220 and database 222. One of ordinary skill in the
art will recognize that programmable instruction set 220 is a
subset of the total instruction set used by processor 20. When
accessing programmable instruction set 220, the user employs
display 26 and keyboard 284 (shown in FIG. 2) to retrieve a main
menu that lists a set of menu entries.
[0042] The set of menu entries displayed has entries including a
listing of programmable instruction set 220, programming choices
for programmable instruction set 220, the contents of database 222,
and database programming options. After the menu entries are
displayed, the user selects one menu entry on the display. For
example, a cursor key in combination with the enter key can be used
to perform the selection step. In another embodiment, a mouse is
provided to allow the user to double-click on the selected entry.
In yet another embodiment, a track-ball mechanism is used in the
selection process.
[0043] After the selection is made, the menu programming transmits
a signal to the user indicating the menu selection. In one
embodiment, the signal includes both a visual signal shown on
display 26 and an audio signal transmitted via speaker 288.
[0044] Subsequently, the user performs programming, searching and
data entry tasks using keyboard 284. The menu system described
above allows the user to search programmable instruction set 220
and database 222, and modify programmable instruction set 220 and
database 222. Modification of set 220 and database 222 includes
making additions, deletions, or merely changing some characteristic
of the stored instruction or data.
[0045] Referring again to FIG. 3, database 222 includes a directory
storage database 224, a library of ringing tones 226, and record
log 228. Directory storage database 224 associates caller-ID
information to a caller category. In one embodiment, the caller
categories include an important call category, a regular call
category, and a undesirable call category. The important call
category is a "hot list" that may include family, friends, business
associates or other VIPs that may considered import to the user.
The regular category may include other less important people,
associates, or businesses. The regular category is also the default
category. If an incoming call includes CID information not stored
in the database, processor 20 processes the call as a regular call.
The undesirable category includes people, businesses, or
associations that the user does not want to talk to. As discussed
above, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the
present invention should not be construed as being limited to only
three caller categories. Any number of categories can be created
using the present invention. The number of categories is user
defined. The number of entries in each category is also user
defined, and depends the amount of memory included in device
10.
[0046] Database 226 includes a library of ringing tones. The
ringing tone selected for each category is programmable by the
user. Processor 20 can be programmed to employ a unique ringing
pattern for each call category. For example, processor 20 may
retrieve a "category 1" ringing tone when CID circuit 18 determines
that the incoming call is in the important call category. Processor
20 may also be programmed to select category X ringing tone for the
undesirable call category. In the example shown in FIG. 3, there
are "X" tones available. X is an integer number that depends on the
size of memory 22.
[0047] Database 222 also includes record log 228, which includes an
incoming call portion and an outgoing call portion. In one
embodiment, the incoming call record log employs data structure 230
which includes CID information, the date of the incoming call, the
time of the incoming call, and the category of the incoming call.
The outgoing call record log uses data structure 232 which includes
a called party ID, date of the outgoing call, time of the outgoing
call, and the duration of the call. In one embodiment, the stored
CID information is configured to include a name, business
association when applicable, telephone number, area code, and
country code.
[0048] One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the
present invention is flexible in that any number of data structures
can be used to build record log 228. Using the menu system
described above, the record log can be retrieved, searched, or
sorted. For example, a user may want to view the incoming calls
chronologically. On another occasion, the user may want to
determine the CID of the party with the highest frequency of
incoming calls. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that the present invention should not be construed as being limited
to these examples.
[0049] As embodied herein and depicted in FIG. 4, a flow chart
showing call processing in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention is disclosed. In step 302, CID circuit 18
extracts the CID information from the incoming call. In step 304,
processor 20 compares the extracted CID with the stored CID data in
database 224. Subsequently, processor 20 uses the CID data to
determine the appropriate call category.
[0050] In step 306, processor 20 determines whether the CID is in
the important category. If it is, processor 20 retrieves the
distinctive ringing tones associated with the important call
category from the library of tones stored in database portion 226.
In step 310, processor 20 allows telephone set 10 to ring for a
predetermined number of times before determining that the party
being called is not available. Of course, the number of times the
phone rings is programmed by the user using the menu system
described above. If the call is answered by the party being called,
all further call processing is terminated. However, processor 20
will record the call characteristics in record log 228 using data
structure 230 (See FIG. 3).
[0051] If the call is not answered, processor 20 performs step 312.
In step 312, processor 20 retrieves an audible menu system that
gives the calling party several options. The calling party can
choose to have its call forwarded. If the calling party is the user
himself, he can enter a system password, and the menu system will
allow the user to program intelligent telephone set 10 from a
remote location. If the calling party requests the call forwarding
option, one of the plurality of telephone lines connected to line
interface 12 is seized, and an attempt is made to establish a call
with a preprogrammed number stored in memory.
[0052] In step 314, if the call forwarding attempt is not
successful, processor 20 retrieves a voice message from memory 22
and informs the calling party that the call forwarding attempt was
unsuccessful. The incoming call is hen forwarded to the voice mail
system Depending on the programming selections made by the user,
step 318 causes processor 20 to send either a page, a wireless
message, or an e-mail to the part that was called. Finally, in step
332, processor 20 records the call characteristics in record log
228 using data structure 230 (See FIG. 3).
[0053] Referring back to step 306, if processor 20 determines that
the extracted CID is not in the important category, it then
determines in step 322 whether the extracted CID is in the
undesirable category. Note that if an incoming call is not in the
undesirable category, processor 20 assume that it is in the regular
category, since the regular category is the default category. While
this example shows a system accommodating only three categories,
one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present
invention can be programmed to accommodate four or more
categories.
[0054] If the incoming call is not in the undesirable category,
processor 20 retrieves the distinctive ringing tones associated
with the regular category from the library of tones stored in
database portion 226. In step 328, processor 20 allows telephone
set 10 to ring for a predetermined number of times before
determining that the called party is not available. If the call is
not answered, processor 20 retrieves a voice message from memory 22
informing the calling party that there is no one available to
answer the call, and processor 20 forwards the incoming call to the
on-board voice mail system Obviously, the user may set the
predetermined number of times to zero is he so desires. He can then
review his voice mail at some point in the future.
[0055] If the call is answered by the party being called, all
further call processing is terminated in step 320. However,
processor 20 will again record the call characteristics in record
log 228 using data structure 230.
[0056] Referring back to step 322, if processor 20 determines that
the incoming call is an undesirable call, processor 20 retrieves
the distinctive ringing tone associated with the undesirable
category from the library of tones stored in database portion 226.
In step 336, processor 20 allows telephone set 10 to ring for a
short period, such as two rings, signaling anyone within listening
range that an undesirable call is being processed by intelligent
telephone set 10. In the next step, processor 20 retrieves a voice
message from memory 22 informing the calling party that there is no
one available to answer the call. In step 340, processor 20
disconnects the incoming call. Finally, processor 20 will record
the call characteristics of the undesirable call in record log 228
using data structure 230.
[0057] When a user places an outgoing call, processor 20 is also
programmed to retrieve the telephone number of the called party. As
shown in FIG. 3, processor 20 writes the called party's ID, the
date of the outgoing call, the time of the outgoing call, and the
duration of the call in the outgoing record log 228 using data
structure 232. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
many variations of this system can be implemented within the scope
of the present invention. In one embodiment, processor 20 uses the
telephone number of the called party to retrieve associated data
from the data base. For example, the telephone number may be
associated with a name, a business, or any other amplifying or
miscellaneous data.
[0058] One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the
method depicted in FIG. 4 is user defined and can be modified in
any number of ways to suit the desires of the user. For example,
the user may wish to forward, activate or deactivate the call
forward, or change the ring tone for each or any group at any
time.
[0059] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made to the present invention
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
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