The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 27, 2001
Filed:
May. 14, 1998
Richard N. Roberts, Elgin, IL (US);
Todd August Bartels, New Berlin, WI (US);
Terrence J. McCarthy, Carol Stream, IL (US);
Wayne Robert Heinmiller, Elgin, IL (US);
Rodney T Brand, Lisle, IL (US);
Leslie Bernard Moore, Elgin, IL (US);
Carlos H Donoso, Bartlett, IL (US);
Kara Elisia Ford, Fishers, IN (US);
Ameritech Corporation, Hoffman Estates, IL (US);
Abstract
A method and system are provided for routing a call to a called party's landline or wireless communication unit based on the availability of the wireless communication unit. A call placed to a called party's landline communication unit is routed to the called party's wireless communication unit if the wireless communication unit is determined available, otherwise, the call is routed to the called party's landline communication unit. Unlike past attempts to facilitate communication with a called party having wireless and landline communication units, these preferred embodiments operate automatically (without called party intervention) before a call is terminated at the landline communication unit and are responsive to the availability of the called party's wireless communication unit. Further, there preferred embodiments do not rely on complex, pre-determined hunting sequences or expensive adjunct customer premises equipment.