(12) United States Patent
`Schwab et al.
`
`I IIIII IIIIIIII Ill lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll lllll 111111111111111111
`US006381323Bl
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`(54) CALL PROGRAMMING APPARATUS AND
`METHOD
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Eileen Cecilia Schwab, Schaumburg;
`Gayle Roberta Ekstrom; Gisele
`Arlette Marcus, both of Chicago;
`Edward Alan Ossello, Chicago
`Heights, all of IL (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Ameritech Corporation, Hoffman
`Estates, IL (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by O days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/250,686
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb. 16, 1999
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.7 .......................... H04M 3/46; H04M 7/00;
`H04Q 7/24
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................. 379/211.02; 379/221.03;
`379/913; 379/216.01; 379/211.04; 455/461
`
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 379/201, 207,
`379/210, 211, 216, 219, 220, 229, 230,
`913, 201.01, 201.02, 207.02, 211.01, 211.02,
`211.03, 211.04, 216.01, 220.01; 455/461
`
`1/1982 Jordan et al. ............... 379/207
`10/1991 Brown ....................... 379/211
`9/1993 Bissell et al. ............... 379/211
`9/1993 Morganstein et al. ... 379/197 X
`11/1994 Dutra et al.
`............. 379/93.24
`9/1995 Iglehart et al.
`............. 379/199
`* 12/1995 Jones ......................... 379/211
`1/1996 Slusky ....................... 379/211
`4/1996 Hayes et al. ............ 379/210 X
`8/1996 Banister et al. ............. 379/201
`9/1996 Eckhart .................. 379/211 X
`11/1996 Ginter .................... 379/211 X
`........... 379/201 X
`12/1996 Pinard et al.
`12/1996 Fuller et al. ............ 379/201 X
`1/1997 Fleischer, III et al. ...... 379/211
`1/1997 Hess et al. .................. 379/213
`
`4,313,035 A
`5,060,255 A
`5,243,645 A
`5,249,219 A
`5,369,686 A
`5,452,347 A
`5,475,748 A
`5,487,111 A
`5,506,888 A
`5,548,636 A
`5,555,292 A
`5,579,375 A
`5,586,169 A
`5,588,037 A
`5,592,541 A
`5,598,464 A
`* cited by examiner
`Primary Examiner-Harry S. Hong
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Brinks Hofer Gilson &
`Liane
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A method of routing incoming telephone calls and program(cid:173)
`ming routing options and apparatus that allows incoming
`calls to be routed according to various criteria programmed
`by a subscriber.
`
`15 Claims, 58 Drawing Sheets
`
`14
`
`18
`2 ... ..-------3:::,,---../
`ISDN
`PAS
`PRI
`PLATFORM
`5
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 1
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 1 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`14
`
`18
`
`FIG. 1
`
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 2 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`SIMULTANEOUS CALL ROUTING
`14
`
`18
`, - - - - . . . - . - J
`
`23
`
`5a (PROMPT FOR PIN.)
`
`FIG. 2
`
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`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 3
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 3 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`SEQUENTIAL CALL ROUTING
`14
`
`18
`
`r23
`6 "HELLO. THIS IS JANE. 11 ~
`
`FIG. 3
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 4 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`14
`
`.-----")-----. SPECIAL ACCESS
`CELLULAR 1-D_S_ls-+--t---1-1
`
`SUBSCRIBERS B A
`s:~::s :GD rITTOT
`
`.--------. SPECIAL ACCESS
`DSls
`SUMMA
`IXCs
`1----+------11--H FOUR
`FACILITY
`POP
`FGD PROTOCOL
`VOICE
`SWITCH
`
`SUBSCRIBERS A
`")
`
`PRis
`
`DMS 100
`
`18
`~
`
`DCHANNELS
`
`32
`
`30
`
`o-J5
`CONTROL
`COMPUTER
`
`34
`
`19
`
`19
`
`ETHER-
`NET
`
`Tls
`
`RESOURCE
`MODULES
`
`. .
`.
`
`RESOURCE
`MODULES
`
`Tls
`
`34
`
`30
`
`36
`
`OPERATIONS
`SYSTEMS
`
`OPEN NET
`
`PLATFORM
`
`FIG. 4
`
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 5 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`100
`
`START
`
`FETCH
`FETCH
`WEEKDAY WEEKEND
`SCHEDULE
`SCHEDULE
`
`RETURN TO A.4
`SERVICE ADMIN
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 5
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 6
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 6 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`NO
`
`130
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT. ,,_ _ _,
`37,43a
`3&4
`
`GOTO
`A.4.1.2 REDO
`SCHEDULE
`(BV)
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`GOTO
`131
`
`GOTO
`200
`
`RETURN TO A.4
`SERVICE AD MIN
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 6
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 7
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 7 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`131
`
`START
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`CJ
`
`YES
`
`142
`
`GET
`PREVIOUS
`PERIOD
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 7
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 8
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 8 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`152
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`42
`
`9
`
`154
`
`GET
`NEXT
`PERIOD
`
`FIG. 8
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 9
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 9 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`199
`
`START
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`43a
`
`4
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`8
`
`214
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 9
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 10
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 10 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`114
`
`A.0.2
`CHECK
`FOR
`INCOMING
`CALL
`
`118
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`224
`
`RETURN TO A.4
`SERVICE AD MIN
`
`FIG. 10
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 11
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 11 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`250
`
`252
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`50
`
`21
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`49
`
`22
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 11
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 12
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 12 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`51
`
`30
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`52
`
`31
`
`266
`
`YES
`
`282
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`56
`
`34
`
`FIG. 12
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 13
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 13 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`YES
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`61
`
`35
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`63
`
`37
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`129
`
`38
`
`YES
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 13
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 14
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 14 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`8
`
`310
`
`SET TIME
`TO
`AM
`
`SET TIME
`TO
`PM
`
`312
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`308
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 14
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 15
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 15 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`316
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`67
`
`43
`
`318
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`YES
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 15
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 16
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 16 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`25 17
`
`FIG. 16
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 17
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 17 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`72
`
`48
`
`FETCH
`WEEKEND
`SCHEDULE
`
`SAVE
`SCHEDULE
`
`GOTO
`131
`
`RETURN
`TOA.4
`SERVICE
`ADMIN
`MENU
`
`YES
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 17
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 18
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 18 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`364
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`74
`
`50
`
`GO
`TOA.4
`SERVICE
`ADMIN
`MENU
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`73
`
`49
`
`366
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 18
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 19
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 19 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`NO
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`78 54
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`55 15
`
`RETURN TO A.4
`SERVICE ADMIN
`
`FIG. 19
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 20
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 20 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`256
`100
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`257
`102
`
`FIG. 20
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`FIG. 22
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`25
`17
`
`FIG. 21
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`51
`
`30
`
`FIG. 23
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 21
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 21 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`420
`
`422
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`50
`
`21
`
`426
`
`CANCEL
`ENTRY
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 24
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 22
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 22 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`444
`
`YES
`
`454
`
`YES
`
`FIG. 25
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 23
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 23 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`62
`
`36
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 26
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 24
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 24 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`480
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`8
`
`0 ()
`
`452
`
`SET TIME
`TO
`AM
`
`SETTIME
`TO
`PM
`
`450
`
`486
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 27
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 25
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 25 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`460
`
`462
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`YES
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 28
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`70
`
`46
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`258
`103
`
`FIG. 29
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 26
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 26 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`FIG. 30
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 27 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`510
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`72
`
`48
`
`SAVE
`SCHEDULE
`
`SAVE
`SCHEDULE
`
`516
`
`520
`
`GOTO
`A.4.1
`LISTEN TO
`SCHEDULE
`
`GO
`TOA.4
`SERVICE
`ADMIN
`MENU
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 31
`
`FIG. 32
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 28
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 28 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`544
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`546
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`TIME-OUT
`
`RETURN
`TOA.4
`SERVICE
`ADMIN.
`MENU
`
`550
`
`YES
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 33
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 29
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`

`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 29 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`RETURN
`TOA.4
`SERVICE
`ADMIN
`MENU
`
`FIG. 34
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 30
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`U.S. Patent
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`FIG. 35
`
`FIG. 36
`
`FIG. 37
`
`FIG. 38
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`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 31
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`644
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`650
`
`CANCEL
`ENTRY
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 39
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 32
`U.S. Patent No. 6,381,323
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
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`Sheet 32 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`COLLECT
`DIGITS
`(0-9)
`
`PRE-DIAL
`TIMEOUT
`
`YES
`
`670
`
`YES
`
`FIG. 40
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 33
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sheet 33 of 58
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`YES
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 41
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 34
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`U.S. Patent
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`US 6,381,323 Bl
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`0
`
`SETTIME
`TO
`AM
`
`SET TIME
`TO
`PM
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 42
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 35
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 35 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`712
`
`714
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`YES
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 43
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 36
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 36 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`NO
`
`COLLECT
`DIGITS
`(0-9)
`
`FIG. 44
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 37
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`U.S. Patent
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`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 37 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`FIG. 45
`
`FIG. 46
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 38 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`758
`
`SAVE
`SCHEDULE
`
`SAVE
`SCHEDULE
`
`GOTO
`A.4.1
`LISTEN TO
`SCHEDULE
`
`GO
`TOA.4
`SERVICE
`ADMIN
`MENU
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 47
`
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`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 39
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 39 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`GO
`TOA.4
`SERVICE
`ADMIN
`MENU
`
`778
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 48
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 40
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 40 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`1000
`
`START
`
`NO
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`1010
`TURNOFF
`SCHEDULE
`OVERRIDE
`
`1014
`
`GOTO
`A.O
`MAIN
`MENU
`(AS)
`
`FIG. 49
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 41
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 41 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`1020
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`126
`
`D
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`RETURN
`TOA.O
`MAIN
`MENU
`(AR)
`
`YES
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 50
`
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`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 42
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 42 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`1028
`
`TURN ON
`SCHEDULE
`OVERRIDE
`TOCPN
`
`GO
`TOA.O
`MAIN
`MENU
`(AR)
`
`1030
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`166
`
`H
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 51
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 43
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 43 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`1042
`
`YES
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`168a
`K
`
`FIG. 52
`
`(n1scONNEC'9
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 44
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 44 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`TURN ON
`SCHEDULE
`OVERRIDE
`WITH
`ENTERED
`DN
`
`RETURN
`TOA.O
`MAIN
`MENU
`(AR)
`
`1066
`
`TIME-OUT
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`263 Q
`
`A.0.2 CHECK FOR
`INCOMING CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 53
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 45
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 45 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`SIMULTANEOUS
`SEARCH
`
`, , , ,
`
`,'
`,
`SEARCH,,/
`PATH,/
`, , , ,
`, , ,
`, , , ,
`2002 ~~-""--,
`GET ALL
`NUMBERS
`IN
`SCHEDULE
`LIST
`
`PLAY
`ON-HOLD
`MESSAGE
`(MUSIC)
`
`2012
`
`"#"
`
`CALL
`ACCEPTED
`
`CALL NOT ACCEPTED
`BY SUBSCRIBER
`
`2014
`
`2016
`
`2018
`
`GO TO
`DEFAULT
`DESTINATION
`
`TERMINATE
`SEARCH
`
`TERMINATE
`SEARCH
`
`STOP
`
`GOTO
`DEFAULT
`DESTINATION
`
`FIG. 54
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 46
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 46 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`2020 .----~....,___~-,
`
`DIAL
`NUMBERS
`
`YES
`
`MARKDN
`UNAVAILABLE,
`DISCONNECT
`CALL
`
`2028
`
`GOTO
`DEFAULT
`DESTINATION
`
`FIG. 55
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 47
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 47 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`VALID PIN
`ENTERED
`
`TIMEOUT
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`INVALID PIN
`ENTERED
`
`2060
`
`2064 ~---'--~--.
`TERMINATE
`SEARCH
`(SEE (AD)
`FOR
`ANSWERED
`CALLS)
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`FIG. 56
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 48
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 48 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`/ SEARCH 0 I ,
`
`' \
`
`CALLER
`,. PATH
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`Pi\TH
`\~
`',
`\
`....--------. 2042
`CONNECT
`CALLER
`AND
`SUBSCRIBER
`
`I
`
`SEARCH /
`PATH
`/
`(REPEAT/
`FOR ALL
`ANSWERED,
`BUT
`UNACCEPTED
`CAL~S)
`
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`I
`
`CONTINUE
`CALL
`
`2040
`
`DISCONNECT
`CALL
`
`STOP
`
`....------'--~---, 2046
`
`TERMINATE
`SEARCH
`
`DISCONNECT
`CALL
`
`FIG. 57
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 49
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 49 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`2100
`
`SEQUENTIAL
`SEARCH
`
`, , ,
`,,,'
`SEARCH,/
`,,,
`PATH/
`,,,,,,
`
`,
`,'
`2102 ~~.......___,
`GET FIRST
`NUMBER
`IN
`SCHEDULE
`LIST
`
`2106
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`270c
`AA
`
`CALL
`ACCEPTED
`
`CALL NOT ACCEPTED
`BY SUBSCRIBER
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`"#"
`
`2112
`
`2114
`
`2116
`
`TERMINATE
`SEARCH
`
`TERMINATE
`SEARCH
`
`GOTO
`DEFAULT
`DESTINATION
`
`GOTO
`DEFAULT
`DESTINATION
`
`FIG. 58
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 50
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 50 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`2118 ...---~....L..--~-,,
`
`DIAL
`NUMBER
`
`2126 ...---~--'-~-.
`
`NO (ANSWERED)
`
`DISCONNECT
`CALL
`
`...---~~~-. 2131
`
`GETNEXT
`DNINLIST
`
`YES
`
`GOTO
`DEFAULT
`DESTINATION
`
`FIG. 59
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 51
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 51 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`115
`EE
`
`VALID PIN
`ENTERED
`
`TIMEOUT
`
`INVALID PIN
`ENTERED
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`2132
`
`FIG. 60
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 52
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 52 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`SEARCH 8 I
`' ' ' ' ' ' ' '
`
`I
`
`CALLER
`,PATH
`
`' '
`
`PATH
`
`I
`I
`I
`
`I
`
`~__..._~......, 2148
`CONNECT
`CALLER
`AND
`SUBSCRIBER
`
`CONTINUE
`CALL
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`116
`00
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`117
`pp
`
`2146
`
`DISCONNECT
`CALL
`
`STOP
`
`FIG. 61
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 53
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 53 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`3000 ~~~---...
`INCOMING
`CALL
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`~~~---. 3006
`REJECT
`CALL
`AND
`GENERATE
`ALARM
`
`STOP
`
`DNENTERED
`
`TIMEOUT
`WITHOUTDN
`
`NO
`
`3008
`
`DISCONNECT
`
`STOP
`
`FIG. 62
`
`DISCONNECT
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 54 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`3018 . - - - - - - - - - i .~ - - - - -1 ,
`RETRIEVE
`SUBSCRIBER
`RECORD
`BASED ON
`CALLED
`DN
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`GOTO
`SERVICE
`ROUTING
`
`3022
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`111
`
`3024 .----~-------,,
`DISCONNECT
`CALL
`AND
`GENERATE
`ALARM
`
`FIG. 63
`
`STOP
`
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 55 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`SERVICE
`ROUTING
`
`3028
`
`3030
`
`PLAY
`ANNCMNT.
`83
`
`PLAY
`SUBSCRIBER'S
`GREETING
`
`FIG. 64
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 56 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`YES
`
`FIG. 65
`
`WAITFOR
`ACCEPT
`
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`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 57
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 57 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`NO
`
`GOTO
`SEQUENTIAL
`SEARCH
`
`GOTO
`SIMUL.
`SEARCH
`
`FIG. 66
`
`BHN, et al. v. FOCAL IP, LLC
`FOCAL IP, LLC EX2046 - 58
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`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 30, 2002
`
`Sheet 58 of 58
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`DEFAULT
`DESTINATION
`
`YES
`
`~~...___--. 3060
`DIALDN
`AND
`CONNECT
`INCOMING
`LEG
`
`CONTINUE
`CALL
`
`DISCONNECT
`CALL
`
`OTHER
`DESTINATION
`
`VOICE
`MAIL
`
`FIG. 67
`
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`

`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`1
`CALL PROGRAMMING APPARATUS AND
`METHOD
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a call programming
`apparatus and method, and more particularly, to a call
`programming apparatus and method that allows subscribers
`to program a schedule of how their incoming calls should be
`routed based upon each subscriber's programmed profile.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`5
`
`10
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`45
`
`According to a first aspect of the invention there is
`provided a method routing incoming telephone calls The
`method includes the steps of:
`(a) coupling an incoming call directed to a subscriber to
`a platform;
`(b) determining if a sequential search feature is active;
`( c) in response to step (b ), if the sequential search feature
`is active, directing the incoming call to a first number 50
`on the subscriber's sequential list stored on the plat(cid:173)
`form and, if there is no answer at the first number
`directing the incoming call to a second number of the
`subscriber's sequential list;
`( d) in response to step (b) if it is determined that the
`sequential search feature is not active, determining if a
`simultaneous search feature is active;
`( e) in response to step ( d), if it is determined that the
`simultaneous search feature is active, directing the 60
`incoming call to all numbers on the subscriber's simul(cid:173)
`taneous list stored on the platform;
`(f) determining if a programmed schedule feature is
`active; and
`(g) in response to step (f), if the programmed schedule 65
`feature is active, directing an incoming call according
`to the programmed schedule.
`
`People are more on the go now than ever before. Because
`of this telecommunication, needs have become more com(cid:173)
`plicated than merely routing one incoming call to one 15
`number. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,037 (Fuller et al.)
`discloses a method of call handling that includes remote
`programmable call forwarding which allows a user to set up
`a weekly schedule feature that allows calls to be routed
`depending on the day of the week and the time the call was 20
`made. Also disclosed is an override feature where the user
`can override the weekly schedule should his or her schedule
`deviate from the programmed sequence.
`U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,111 (Slusky) discloses a sequential
`call routing telecommunication system that allows a caller 25
`who is trying to reach a called subscriber to be routed to each
`of a sequence of telephone numbers specified by the sub(cid:173)
`scriber. The subscriber can indicate call forwarding numbers
`and can designate the date and/or time during which call
`forwarding to any particular one of the call forwarding 30
`telephone numbers is to be effective.
`While these known systems provide increased flexibility,
`with today's on-the-go society, even more flexibility is
`desirable.
`It is thus desirable to provide a call routing apparatus and
`method that affords the subscriber great flexibility in deter(cid:173)
`mining how incoming calls should be routed. It is also
`desirable to provide a flexible call routing scheme that is
`easy to implement and modify.
`
`35
`
`40
`
`2
`According to a second aspect of the invention there is
`provided a method for routing incoming telephone calls. The
`method includes the steps of:
`( a) coupling a call directed to a first telephone station to
`a service node, said call being initiated by a caller at a
`second telephone station:
`(b) retrieving a subscriber's profile associated with the
`first telephone station at the service node in response to
`step (a) wherein the subscriber's profile indicates which
`routing options have been selected by the subscriber;
`(c) routing the call of step (a) in accordance with the
`subscriber's profile by:
`(i) determining if a sequential search feature is active;
`(ii) in response to step (i), if the sequential search
`feature is active, directing the incoming call to a first
`number on the subscriber's sequential list, and if
`there is no answer at the first number, directing the
`incoming call to a second number on the subscriber's
`sequential list;
`(iii) in response to step (i), if it is determined that the
`sequential search feature is not active, determining if
`a simultaneous search feature is active;
`(iv) in response to step (iii), if it is determined that the
`simultaneous search feature is active, directing the
`incoming call to all numbers on the subscriber's
`simultaneous list;
`(v) determining if a programmed schedule feature is
`active; and
`(vi) in response to step (v), if the programmed schedule
`feature is active, directing an incoming call accord(cid:173)
`ing to the programmed schedule.
`According to a third aspect of the invention there is
`provided a method of programming call routing options. The
`method includes the steps of
`(a) coupling an incoming call from a subscriber to a
`service node;
`(b) generating a series of queries to the subscriber in
`response to the incoming call of step (a) wherein the
`series of queries includes:
`(i) whether a sequential search list should be created
`and, if so, what telephone numbers should be
`included on the sequential search list;
`(ii) whether a simultaneous search list should be cre(cid:173)
`ated and, if so, what telephone numbers should be
`included on the simultaneous search list;
`(iii) whether a programmed schedule list should be
`created and, if so, what telephone numbers should
`incoming calls be directed based upon the day of the
`week and time the incoming call is received; and
`( c) generating a subscriber profile in response to the
`subscriber's responses to the series of queries generated
`in step (b).
`According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is
`55 provided a call routing apparatus for routing incoming
`telephone calls. The apparatus includes:
`a memory for storing a profile for each subscriber wherein
`each profile indicates the routing options selected by
`the subscriber associated with the profile;
`a platform for receiving an incoming telephone call from
`a calling party; a processor located on the platform
`programmed to route incoming telephone calls accord(cid:173)
`ing to the following steps:
`(a) determining if a sequential search feature is active;
`(b) in response to step (a), if the sequential search
`feature is active, directing an incoming call to a first
`number on the subscriber's sequential list and, if
`
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`

`3
`there is no answer at the first number, directing the
`incoming call to a second number on the subscriber's
`sequential list;
`(c) in response to step (a), if it is determined that the
`sequential search feature is not active, determining if 5
`a simultaneous search feature is active;
`( d) in response to step ( c ), if it is determined that the
`simultaneous search feature is active, directing the
`incoming call to all numbers on the subscriber's
`simultaneous list;
`( e) determining if the subscriber has selected a pro(cid:173)
`grammed schedule feature; and
`(f) in response to step (e), if the programmed schedule
`feature is active, directing an incoming call accord(cid:173)
`ing to the programmed schedule.
`According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is
`provided an apparatus for programming call routing options.
`The apparatus includes:
`a platform for receiving an incoming call from a sub(cid:173)
`scriber
`a processor located on the platform programmed to gen(cid:173)
`erate the following queries:
`(i) whether a sequential search list should be created
`and, if so, what telephone numbers should be
`included on the sequential search list:
`(ii) whether a simultaneous search list should be
`created, and if so, what telephone numbers should be
`included on the simultaneous search list;
`(iii) whether a programmed schedule list should be
`created and, if so, what telephone numbers should 30
`incoming calls be directed based upon the day of the
`week and time the incoming call is received; and
`generating a subscriber profile in response to the sub(cid:173)
`scriber's responses to the series of queries generated in
`steps (i-iii);
`a database storing a subscriber profile
`
`35
`
`55
`
`US 6,381,323 Bl
`
`4
`FIGS. 64-66 are flowcharts of the service routing sub(cid:173)
`routine program.
`FIG. 67 is a flowchart of the default subroutine program.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
`
`FIG. 1 is a schematic of a call flow pattern illustrating a
`subscriber's interaction with a platform according to a
`10 preferred embodiment of the present invention. In a pre(cid:173)
`ferred embodiment the system includes a first end office
`switch 12, a public switched telephone network 14, a second
`end office switch 16 and a platform 18. In a preferred
`embodiment the subscriber is given a personal access ser-
`15 vice ("PAS") telephone number. The subscriber dials his or
`her PAS number and the call is routed to the platform 18
`through the first and second end office switches 12, 16 and
`the network 14. The subscriber is presented with a greeting
`which advises the subscriber of the steps he or she can take
`20 to create a new subscriber profile or modify an existing
`subscriber profile as will be described in detail with refer(cid:173)
`ence to the flow charts shown in FIGS. 5-53. A subscriber's
`profile is a record stored preferably in a database that
`indicates how a subscriber wants his or her incoming calls
`25 to be directed. While the term subscriber is used throughout
`this application it is interchangeable with the term user and
`the present invention is not intended to be limited to any
`particular type of user. While the input media is shown as a
`touch tone telephone, other input media may be used such as
`the web or telephones using touch tones, speech, graphical
`user interfaces or other interfaces.
`Basically the subscriber has the following options to
`process incoming calls. The subscriber may choose to estab(cid:173)
`lish a programmed schedule where incoming calls are for(cid:173)
`warded based upon the programmed schedule, for example,
`the time of day and/or day of week the incoming call is
`received. The subscriber can modify the programmed sched-
`ule at any time. The subscriber may choose a sequential ring
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`option where incoming calls are forwarded sequentially to a
`FIG. 1 is a schematic of a call flow pattern illustrating a
`40 series of telephone numbers starting with the telephone
`subscriber's interaction with the platform according to a
`number given the highest priority until either the call is
`preferred embodiment of the present invention.
`answered or the call is sent to a default destination such as
`FIG. 2 illustrates the call flow pattern when a subscriber
`voice mail, for example. The subscriber may choose a
`has selected the simultaneous call routing option.
`simultaneous ring option where all of the phone numbers
`selected by the subscriber will ring at the same time until one
`FIG. 3 illustrates the call flow pattern when a subscriber 45
`of the phone numbers is answered. Finally, the subscriber
`has selected the sequential call routing option.
`has the option of overriding the schedule with one number
`FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the call scheduling and
`programming where all incoming calls are forwarded to one
`routing platform shown in FIGS. 1-3.
`number provided by the subscriber. This option bypasses the
`FIGS. 5 and 6 are flowcharts of selecting a schedule and
`50 programmed schedule, the location sequencing program(cid:173)
`choosing what to do with it.
`ming and the simultaneous ring programming. All of these
`FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts of the listen to schedule
`options will be described in detail in the flowcharts which
`subroutine program.
`will be described in detail hereafter.
`FIGS. 9-18 are flowcharts of the creating and/or modi(cid:173)
`FIG. 2 illustrates the call flow pattern when a subscriber
`fying a subscriber's programmed schedule.
`has selected the simultaneous call routing option. A calling
`FIGS. 19-33 illustrate the sequential programming por-
`party 20 dials a subscriber's PAS telephone number. The call
`tion of the redo schedule subroutine program.
`is routed to the platform 18 where the subscriber's profile is
`FIGS. 34-48 illustrate the simultaneous programming
`retrieved from memory and it is determined that simulta(cid:173)
`portion of the redo schedule subroutine program.
`neous routing has been selected and both the