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:
May. 23, 2006
Filed:
Jun. 30, 2000
Barry Paul Pershan, Olney, MD (US);
Phil Biedronski, Baltimore, MD (US);
Michael W. Mckeehan, Silver Spring, MD (US);
Joseph Mitchell West, Fredericksburg, VA (US);
Barry Paul Pershan, Olney, MD (US);
Phil Biedronski, Baltimore, MD (US);
Michael W. McKeehan, Silver Spring, MD (US);
Joseph Mitchell West, Fredericksburg, VA (US);
Other;
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for implementing call forwarding services using AIN techniques and next event list messages are described. Methods of notifying a subscriber of a call forwarded using AIN techniques are also described. In accordance with one feature of the present invention, a subscriber is allowed to set the number of rings which are allowed to occur prior to a call being forwarded. The number of rings, e.g., the ring count, is stored as part of a customer's call processing record (CPR) which is used by a service control point (SCP) to implement the call forwarding service. The ring count information may be updated via the Internet or via a dial-up telephone connection. Call forwarding customers are provided with a distinctive ring, e.g., a ring shorter than an ordinary telephone ring, to notify them when a call is being forwarded. Distinctive rings may be used to distinguish between different forwarding services. For example a different ring may be used for forwarding to voice mail than for selective call forwarding or follow-me call forwarding. The distinctive ring may be implemented by using an SCP to instruct a telephone switch to provide any one of a plurality of different rings which are supported by the telephone switch or by simply causing the subscribers phone to ring for different periods of time which are shorter than a normal ring.