United States Patent [t9J
`Harlow et al.
`
`lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll
`US005206901A
`5,206,901
`[tt] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent: Apr. 27, 1993
`
`[75]
`
`[54] METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
`ALERTING MULTIPLE TELEPHONES FOR
`AN INCOMING CALL
`Inventors: John B. Harlow, Middletown;
`Murthy Kolipakam, East Brunswick;
`Sankara R. Polepalle, Holmdel;
`&lerge Y. Wyatt, Howell, all of N.J.
`[73] Assignee: AT&T Bell Laboratories, Murray
`Hill, N.J.
`[21] Appl. No.: 812,787
`[22] Filed:
`Dec. 23, 1991
`Int. a.s ........................ H04M 3/42; H04M 7/00
`[51]
`[52] u.s. a ..................................... 379/211; 379/201;
`379/205; 379/207; 379/219
`[58] Field of Search ............... 379/156, 157, 158, 161,
`379/201,202,207,210,211,212,221,204,205,
`233, 184, 179, 195, 206, 219
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,805,210 2/1989 Griffith, Jr. ..................... 379/184 X
`4,825,465 4/1989 Ryan ............................... 379/184 X
`4,953,203 8/1990 Shepard .............................. 379/207
`5,023,868 6/1991 Davidson eta!. .............. 379/211 X
`
`[56]
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`0039664 3/1982 Japan ................................... 379/205
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Paul van Hal et al., "Service Script Interpreter, an Ad-
`
`vanced Intelligent Network Platform", Ericsson Re(cid:173)
`view, No. 1, 1990, pp. 12-22.
`A. Batten, "Personal Communications Services and the
`Intelligent Network", British Telecommunications En(cid:173)
`gineering, vol. 9, Aug. 1990 pp. 88-91.
`A. Barshefsky, et al., "The Evolution of Global Intelli(cid:173)
`gent Network Architecture", AT&T Technical Journal,
`Summer 1991, pp. 11-25.
`Alltel article "How the CallAnswer Package Manages
`Your Calls".
`
`Primary Examiner-James L. Dwyer
`Assistant Examiner-Harry S. Hong
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Michael B. Johannesen
`
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A system for alerting a plurality of telephones in re(cid:173)
`sponse to an incoming call to a destination directory
`number. A handling switch sends a query to a central(cid:173)
`ized database requesting routing instructions, and the
`database returns the directory numbers of the plurality
`of telephones to be alerted for incoming calls to the
`destination directory number. The busy/idle status of
`all of the plurality of telephones is checked, and an
`alerting signal is sent to all idle telephones. The han(cid:173)
`dling switch is notified as to which alerted telephone
`has an off-hook appearance first, and the incoming call
`is routed to that telephone.
`
`9 Oaims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`!N!tl.! !GfNT NEJWQ!!K
`.lQQ
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1013, Page 1
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 3
`
`5,206,901
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1013, Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`5,206,901
`
`FIG. 2
`
`HANDLE NORMALLY
`
`QUERY SWITCHING
`CONTROL POINT FOR
`PRIMARY & SECONDARY
`DIRECTORY NUMBERS
`
`; - - - - - rA
`(FIG. 3)
`
`214
`
`220
`RING PRIMARY NUMBER: ~~
`NORMAL TREATMENT
`
`NO
`
`228
`
`CONNECT TO
`PRIMARY NUMBER
`
`CONNECT TO
`SECONDARY NUMBER
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1013, Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 27, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`5,206,901
`
`FIG. 3
`
`236
`SEND MESSAGE TO .
`SECOND SWITCHING
`SERVICE POINT
`
`RECEIVE MESSAGE FROM
`SECOND SWITCHING
`SERVICE POINT
`
`SEND MESSAGE TO
`SECOND SWITCHING
`SERVICE POINT TO
`RING BOTH NUMBERS
`
`NO
`
`YES
`
`DISCONTINUE RING
`
`SECONDARY
`266
`
`CONNECT TO
`SECONDARY NUMBE~
`
`260
`
`CONNECT TO
`PRIMARY NUMBER
`. 262
`SEND MESSAGE TO
`SECOND SWITCHING
`SERVICE POINT TO
`DISCONTINUE RING
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1013, Page 4
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`

`
`METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ALERTING
`MULTIPLE TELEPHONES FOR AN INCOMING
`CALL
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1
`
`5,206,901
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`This invention relates to the field of local telephone
`switching systems, and more specifically to sending
`alerting to a plurality of telephones on different switch(cid:173)
`ing systems in response to an incoming telephone call.
`
`2
`limited in that both of the alerted telephones must be
`connected to the same central office.
`Therefore, a problem in the art is that there is no low
`cost, network based solution to the problem of alerting
`5 a plurality of telephones connected to more than one
`central office for a single incoming call.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`This problem is solved and a technical advance is
`10 achieved in the art by a method performed in a local
`switching system which, in response to an incoming call
`comprising a destination directory number, translates
`the directory number into one or more identifications of
`lines served by the local switching system, and one or
`Being "in touch" has become increasingly important
`for some people, i.e., doctors, business executives, attor- 15 more directory numbers not served by the local switch-
`neys, etc., who have a strong need to be reached wher-
`ing system, alerts the identified lines, places outgoing
`ever they are. Many of these people have a telephone
`calls to the directory numbers, and terminates the in-
`coming call to the line or lines from which answer is
`for business, a telephone for home, a mobile cellular
`telephone for the car and/or a transportable telephone
`detected. Advantageously, translating the destination
`that can be carried around when not near one of the 20 directory number comprises sending a message to a
`other telephones. Additionally, some professionals have
`database shared by a plurality of local switching sys-
`terns. The shared database returns the one or more
`multiple offices with a telephone in each office. Some
`work at home in conjunction with an office at a business
`directory numbers and the one or more line identifica-
`location for when they are "on premises", with at least
`tions.
`one telephone at each location. All of these telephones 25 A method in accordance with one embodiment of this
`generally have different telephone numbers and are
`invention provides alerting to multiple telephones in
`frequently on different local offices with different pre-
`response to one incoming call implemented in an intelli-
`fixes. This requires the caller to know or look up multi-
`gent network comprising a plurality of switching ser-
`vice points interconnected by a plurality of communica- _
`ple telephone numbers, and frequently to make multiple
`calls in order to reach a person.
`30 tion links via a signaling transfer point and a plurality of
`While there are several telephone equipment features
`voice and data trunks. A shared database is also con-
`nected to the signaling transfer point. A call is received
`and telephone company services designed to ease the
`problem of multiple telephone numbers, they do not
`at one of the switching service points, wherein the call
`solve all the problems. For example, call forwarding
`comprises a directory number. The switching service
`provides call redirection from one telephone to another. 35 point recognizes the directory number as a unique nurn-
`However, once the subscriber activates call forwarding,
`ber requiring database action and sends a query to the
`he or she cannot answer the primary telephone until the
`shared database. The shared database returns routing
`feature is deactivated. Additionally, calls can only be
`numbers, which the switching service point translates,
`forwarded to one telephone, so that the user must know
`associated with primary and secondary telephones that
`where he or she is going to be in order to forward calls 40 are to be alerted for incoming calls to the directory
`effectively. Without remote activation, subscribers
`number. The local switching system sends messages
`must turn on call forwarding from their primary tele-
`over the signaling channel to the identified local switch-
`phone.
`·
`ing systems requesting busy/idle status of the lines asso-
`A second attempt to solve this problem requires the
`ciated with the primary and secondary directory nurn-
`addition of expensive customer premises equipment 45 bers. The identified local switching systems return the
`connected to the primary telephone and either a second
`requested information, and the local switching system
`telephone line· or three-way calling. In this system,
`requests, via a further message, that alerting be applied
`when a call comes in, the system sets up a three-way call
`to the lines associated with the primary and secondary
`directory numbers if they are idle. When one of the lines
`to a pre-programmed telephone number, and either
`simultaneously alerts the attached telephone and the so reports off-hook, it is reported to the local switching
`system and the incoming call is routed over a trunk to
`remote telephone or alerts the remote telephone after a
`predetermined number of rings. The system determines
`the local switching system that reported the off-hook.
`whether the attached telephone or the remote tele-
`The other call (or calls) is dropped.
`phone answers first. If the attached telephone answers
`In another embodiment, an incoming call is routed to
`first, the system terminates the connection to the remote 55 a switching service point, wherein the switching service
`point comprises a local switching system that serves the
`telephone. If the remote telephone answers first, the
`primary number. The switching service point deter-
`system bridges the incoming call to that telephone or,
`for three-way calling, simply drops off the connection.
`mines that the primary number requires database action,
`This system is limited in the number of other telephones
`and sends a message to a shared database. The shared
`that the may be alerted, and involves installing and 60 database returns the numbers of the secondary . tele-
`phone or telephones to be alerted for incoming calls to
`programrning customer premises equipment that occu-
`pies space at or near the customer's telephone, and
`the directory number. The switching service point
`requires an additional line or coordination with three-
`checks its own busy/idle status table and sends a rnes-
`way calling.
`sage to the local switching systems serving the second-
`Some central offices have the capability to alert two 65 ary telephone(s) for busy/idle status. The switching
`servic7 point ~pplies alerting to the line associated with
`telephones in response to an incoming call, and termi-
`nate the incoming call to the first of the telephones from
`the pnrnary dtrectory number, and sends a message to
`which an off-hook signal is detected. This system is
`the local switching systern(s) to apply alerting to the
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1013, Page 5
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`5,206,901
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
`A more complete understanding of the invention may 20
`be obtained from a consideration of the following de(cid:173)
`scription in conjunction with the drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a switching network
`configuration including an exemplary embodiment of
`an intelligent network that can alert more than one 25
`destination for an incoming call; and
`FIGS. 2 and 3 are flow charts of control of the ac(cid:173)
`tions at a switching service point in the intelligent net(cid:173)
`work of FIG. 1.
`
`4
`3
`maintains a subscriber line status table 124. SSP 120 is
`lines associated with the secondary number(s), if idle.
`also connected to a service circuit node (SCN) 125
`The switching service point connects the incoming call
`which provides centralized services for SSP 120 and
`to its own line if off-hook is detected first, or connects
`other SSPs in intelligent network 100. SCN 125 in-
`the incoming call to the local switching system that
`reports off-hook first.
`5 eludes DTMF detectors 126.
`SSP 130 comprises a cellular communications system
`Another embodiment provides alerting of multiple
`telephones in response to an incoming call is imple-
`in this exemplary embodiment, such as an AT&T Auto-
`plex ® System 1000. Cellular communications system
`mented in a conventional local telephone system com-
`prising a plurality of local switching systems intercon-
`comprises a plurality of cells, for example, 131, 132
`nected by trunks. An incoming call is received at a local 10 connected to a wireless communication system 130 via
`switch, which, during translation, determines that there
`data links for message communication and communica-
`is more than one telephone to alert. The line at the local
`tion path trunks. Wireless communication system 130
`switching office is alerted, and an outgoing call is
`may be a central processing system, or may be a distrib-
`uted processing system as described in Warty, et al.,
`placed to the other local switching office via a trunk.
`The local switching office connects the incoming call to 15 U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,299, issued May 2, 1989 to AT&T.
`the line if off-hook is detected first, or to the trunk if Wireless communication system 130 includes a proces-
`sor 133 and a status table 134 which records the status of
`answer supervision is detected first.
`mobile stations, such as mobile station 136, within the
`cellular communications system.
`SSPs 110, 120, and 130 are interconnected by a plural(cid:173)
`ity of trunks or channels 140 which provide voice and
`data communication paths between SSPs. SSPs 110,
`120, and 130 are also interconnected by signaling chan(cid:173)
`nel 150. SSPs use signaling channel 150 to communicate
`with each other in setting up connections and providing
`special features. SSPs communicate on signaling chan-
`nel 150 using Signaling System 7 (SS7) protocol in this
`exemplary embodiment, as is known in the art. Signal(cid:173)
`ing channel 150 is connected to signal transfer point 160
`30 (STP), which acts as a signaling switch to receive and
`forward messages among SSPs, and receives and for(cid:173)
`wards signaling as necessary to a switching control
`point 170 (SCP). SCP 170 provides a common data base
`175 for use by all of the SSPs.
`In this exemplary embodiment of this invention, a
`person at telephone 111 is calling a person whose office
`telephone is, for example, telephone 122. In this exam(cid:173)
`ple, the person whose telephone is 122 is a sales person
`who subscribes to the feature which is embodied in this
`invention. Further, the sales person also has a mobile
`telephone 136. The user of telephone 111 dials a special
`directory number. In this embodiment, all switches,
`whether part of the intelligent network or not, recog(cid:173)
`nize this number as receiving special call treatment,
`similarly to current treatment of "800" and "900" calls.
`Non-SSP switches route the call to an SSP, such as SSP
`110. The actions at SSP 110 are identical whether the
`call originated on SSP 110 or was preliminarily routed
`to SSP 110. SSP 110 recognizes the special directory
`number during translation and sends a message on sig(cid:173)
`naling channel 150 through STP 160 to SCP 170 re-
`questing routing instructions. SCP 170 performs a data(cid:173)
`base lookup in database 175 and returns primary and
`secondary destination telephone numbers to SSP 110.
`SSP 110 then determines the busy /idle status of the
`primary and all secondary destination numbers. If the
`primary and alternate destination numbers are con(cid:173)
`nected to SSP 110, SSP 110 checks subscriber line status
`table 114 for the busy/idle status of each line. If the lines
`are idle, then ringing is applied to each line.
`If the subscribers are on different local switching
`systems, as is the case in this example, SSP 110 queries
`other SSPs, in this preferred embodiment, for the pri(cid:173)
`mary and secondary busy/idle status, using ISDN user
`part (!SUP) messages. In this instance, SSP 110 sends
`!SUP messages to SSP 120 and SSP 130, because the
`primary number is connected to SSP 120 and a second(cid:173)
`ary number (cellular mobile station set 136) is served by
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIG. 1 shows a simplified block diagram of a tele(cid:173)
`communication system 100, wherein the exemplary
`method of this invention may be practiced. In this exem(cid:173)
`plary embodiment, telecommunication system 100 is an
`intelligent network, similar or identical to the intelligent
`network described in AT&T Technical Journal, Sum(cid:173)
`mer, 1991, pp. 11-25, which is incorporated herein by
`reference. Intelligent network 100 comprises, in this
`exemplary embodiment, a plurality of switching service 40
`points (SSPs) 110, 120, and 130. Three SSPs are shown
`in this example for clarity, but an operational intelligent
`network may comprise more SSPs.
`SSP 110 is, in this exemplary embodiment, a distrib(cid:173)
`uted control, local digital switch, such as a SESS ® 45
`switch as described in the AT&T Technical Journal, v.
`64, no. 6, July/ August 1985, pp. 1303-1564, the Novem(cid:173)
`ber, 1981 Bell Laboratories Record, p. 258, and the
`December, 1981 Bell Laboratories Record, p. 290, and
`manufactured by AT&T. Alternatively, SSP 110 may 50
`be a distributed control, analog or digital switch, such
`as an ISDN switching system as disclosed in U.S. Pat.
`No. 4,592,048, issued to M. W. Beckner et al., on May
`27, 1986. SSP 110 is connected to a plurality of tele(cid:173)
`phone station sets, such as dual-tone, multi-frequency 55
`(DTMF) telephone 111 and integrated services digital
`network (ISDN) telephone 112. ISDN telephone 112
`may be connected to a personal computer, as is known
`in the art. SSP 110 is a stored program controlled sys(cid:173)
`tem, under control of processor 113. Processor 113 60
`maintains a subscriber line status table 114 of the on(cid:173)
`hook, off-hook, or other state of all of the telephone
`station sets (such as 111, 112) connected to SSP 110.
`SSP 120 comprises, in this exemplary embodiment, a
`5ESS ® local switch, similar or identical to SSP 110. A 65
`plurality of telephone station sets are connected to SSP
`120, such as DTMF telephone 121 and ISDN telephone
`122. SSP 120 is controlled by processor 123 which
`
`35
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1013, Page 6
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`5,206,901
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`6
`5
`translation, as is known in the art, to determine which
`SSP 130. SSP 120 and SSP 130 perform table lookups in
`line is associated with the incoming directory number.
`their subscriber line status tables, 124 and 134 respec-
`In this embodiment of this invention, switching system
`tively, and determine whether the lines corresponding
`120 determines that there is one line associated with the
`to the primary and secondary destination numbers are
`busy or idle. SSP 120 and SSP 130 return the busy/idle 5 incoming directory number, the line to telephone 122,
`status via signaling network 150 to SSP 110. If, as in this
`and there is also a telephone number of a telephone on
`example, both primary and alternate destination num-
`a remote switch, such as the telephone number of cellu-
`bers are idle, SSP 110 causes SSP 120 and SSP 130 to
`Jar telephone 136. Local switching system 120 handles
`the telephone number of telephone 136 as if it were a
`apply ringing to the primary and alternate destination
`numbers by sending another ISUP message.
`10 new origination, and places an outgoing telephone call
`If the primary and alternate destination numbers are
`to cellular switching system 130 on one of the trunks
`on the same central office switch, such as SSP 110, SSP
`140.
`110 checks for answered supervision. For subscribers to
`Simultaneously, switching system 120 applies ringing
`this feature on different central office switches, SSP 110
`to telephone 122 and monitors trunk 140 for answer
`checks for an ISUP answer message from either SSP 15 supervision. Switching system 120 terminates the call to
`120 or SSP 130. When an answer message is received,
`whichever telephone indicates off-hook first, either by
`SSP 110 routes the call via trunks 140 to the SSP that
`connecting the call to telephone 122 and dropping the
`sent the answer message. SSP 110 sends an ISUP mes-
`call to cellular telephone 136 or by connecting the call
`sage to the other SSP to discontinue ringing. Finally,
`to trunk 140 and dropping the call to telephone 122.
`SSP 110 updates automatic message accounting records 20 Switching system 120 updates AMA records to indicate
`to indicate that the call received dual ringing treatment.
`that the call received special handling, and, when the
`In another exemplary embodiment of this invention
`call is connected to another switch, telephone 122 may
`after the user of telephone 111 dials a directory number,
`be billed for the portion of the call between switching
`the call is first routed to the local switching system
`system 120 and cellular switching system 130.
`connected to the primary destination telephone number, 25
`FIG. 2 is a flow chart describing the actions taken at
`as is known in the art. In this exemplary embodiment,
`SSP 110 for a dual ringing treatment of a call in the first
`SSP 110 routes the call via trunk 140 to SSP 120. SSP
`exemplary embodiment of this invention, and SSP 120
`120 recognizes the special directory number during
`for the second embodiment. In general, the first and
`translation, and sends a message on signaling channel
`second embodiments require similar actions at the SSPs,
`150 via STP 160 to SCP 170. SCP 170 performs a 30 and the alternate actions are noted in the text. This
`example starts in block 200, where an incoming call is
`lookup in data base 175 and returns the secondary desti-
`nation numbers through STP 160 to SSP 120. SSP 120
`received, and proceeds to decision diamond 202 where
`determines if all of the secondary telephone numbers
`a test is made if the directory number is one that re-
`ceives dual ringing treatment. If the call does not re-
`are connected to SSP 120. If both the primary and sec-
`ondary destination telephone numbers are connected to 35 ceive dual ringing treatment, then in box 204 the call is
`SSP 120, SSP 120 determines the busy/idle status in
`handled normally and this branch ends in circle 206.
`If in decision diamond 202 it was determined that the
`status table 125, and if both primary and secondary
`telephones are idle, rings both telephones.
`call receives dual ringing treatment, then a query is sent
`If the secondary telephone is not connected to SSP
`to the SCP for the primary and secondary destination
`120, SSP 120 sends an ISUP message to the SSP which 40 numbers in box 208. If the call is processed by the SSP
`controls the secondary number, in this case SSP 130.
`connected to the primary number, only the secondary
`SSP 130 checks the busy/idle status of the destination
`number is required. Processing continues to decision
`telephone, in this case mobile station 136, in status table
`diamond 210 where a message is received back from the
`134, and returns the busy/idle status via signaling net-
`SCP and a determination is made whether the destina-
`work 150 and STP 160. SSP 120 then causes idle tele- 45 tion numbers are on the same switch. If the destination
`numbers are not on the same switch, processing contin-
`phone station set 122 to ring and sends an ISUP message
`via signaling network 150 to SSP 130 to cause ringing
`ues through connector A.
`If the destination numbers are determined in decision
`on cellular telephone 136.
`If telephone station set 122 answers first, answer su-
`diamond 210 to be on the same switch, a test is made in
`pervision is detected by SSP 120 and an ISUP message 50 decision diamond 212 whether the primary number is
`is sent to SSP 130 to cease ringing. If mobile station 136
`busy. If the primary number is busy, processing pro-
`answers first, SSP 130 sends an ISUP message 150 indi-
`ceeds to box 214, where the call is routed to a secondary
`eating answer and SSP 120 sets up the connection via
`number. In most circumstances, the secondary number
`trunks 140 to SSP 130 and ceases ringing telephone 122.
`will generally be a voice message system. This branch
`SSP 110 updates automatic message accounting records 55 ends in circle 216.
`-
`to indicate that the call received dual ringing treatment.
`If in decision diamond 212 the primary number is not
`In this manner, telephone 111 may be billed for the
`busy, then the line status table is checked to determine
`whether the secondary number is busy. If the secondary
`portion of the call between SSP 110 and SSP 120, and
`telephone 122 may be billed for the portion of the call
`number is determined to be busy in decision diamond
`between SSP 120 and SSP 130.
`60 218, then in box 220 ringing is applied to only the pri-
`lt is also possible to implement this invention in a
`mary number, and this branch ends in circle 222. This
`conventional telephone network. Assume that SSPs
`branch would be taken when, for example, another
`110, 120 and 130 are conventional switching system
`person is on the mobile cellular phone while the sub-
`local offices, such as 5ESS switching systems. The user
`scriber to this feature is at his or her desk.
`If in decision diamond 218 the secondary number is
`of telephone 111 dials a directory number of telephone 65
`122. The call is routed by local switching system 110 to
`busy, then processing continues to box 224 where ring-
`local switching system 120 in the normal fashion, as is
`ing is applied to both telephones. Processing continues
`known in the art. Switching system 120 performs a
`to decision diamond 226 where processing waits for
`
`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1013, Page 7
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`5,206,901
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`7
`8
`telephone number and the personal identification num-
`receipt of answered supervision. If the primary phone
`answers in box 226, then the call is connected to the
`bers are valid, SCN 125 prompts for the new destination
`number. After the user enters the new destination num-
`primary number in box 228 and processing ends. If in
`ber, SCN 125 repeats the new destination number to the
`decision diamond 226 the secondary number answers
`first, then the call is connected to the secondary phone 5 user, and requests verification. If the number is verified,
`in box 230 and processing ends. If in decision diamond
`then SCN 125 plays a confirmation tone or message,
`226 there is no answer and the calling party abandons
`sends the updated destination number to SCP 170 to
`the call, then processing continues to box 232 where
`update database 175, and terminates the call. If the sub-
`ringing is stopped and this branch ends at 234.
`scriber enters "no" then the service circuit node re-
`Turning now to FIG. 3, processing of calls where 10 prompts for the destination number. If the personal
`more than one SSP is shown. Continuing at connector
`identification number and/or the primary telephone
`A, processing continues to box 236 where a message is
`number is invalid, the service circuit node prompts the
`sent to the remote SSP. A determination is made in
`user to try again. If more than two invalid primary
`decision diamond 238 whether the primary number is
`telephone numbers, personal identification numbers, are
`busy. If the primary number is busy, then processing 15 entered, the service circuit node informs the user to call
`continues to box 240 where the call is routed to the
`a local service provider for assistance.
`secondary number. This branch ends in box 246.
`In this embodiment of this invention, the alternate
`If in decision diamond 238 the primary number is not
`telephone numbers are fixed, that is, they cannot be
`busy, then processing continues to box 248 where a
`changed via the above scenario. However, one skilled
`message is received from the secondary SSP. Process- 20 in the art would see that it would be a trivial matter to
`adapt the above updated primary telephone number for
`ing continues to decision diamond 250 where a determi-
`nation is made whether the secondary number is busy
`the secondary telephone number. Optimally, the alter-
`by looking at the message received in box 248. If the
`nate number is, for example, an answering machine or
`secondary number is busy in decision diamond 250,
`secretary. A good candidate for a secondary number is
`ringing is applied to only the primary phone in box 252 25 also a voice messaging system which may allow the user
`and this branch ends at 254.
`to either leave a voice message or to forward a call to
`If in decision diamond 250 the secondary number is
`the secretary.
`determined not to be busy, then a message is sent to the
`It is to be understood that the above-described em-
`remote SSP and ringing is applied to both telephones in
`bodiments are merely illustrative principles of the in-
`box 256. Processing continues to decision diamond 258 30 vention and that many variations may be devised by
`where processing waits for either answer supervision at
`those skilled in the art without departing from the scope
`the primary SSP or alternatively an ISUP message
`of the invention. For example, it would be a trivial
`sending an off-hook signal. If answer supervision is
`matter to program a processor in a switch to apply
`received then a connection is made to the primary
`ringing to a telephone for a period of time, five rings,
`phone in box 260 and a message is sent to the remote to 35 for example, and then place a call to a second telephone
`discontinue ringing. This branch ends at 264.
`number. This would be useful in situations where an
`If in decision diamond 258 a message is received from
`elderly person is living alone at the primary number,
`the secondary SSP that an off hook was received, then
`and a relative or neighbor monitors the secondary tele-
`processing continues to box 266 'where a path is com-
`phone number. The relative would be alerted to those
`pleted to the secondary phone and ringing is removed 40 times when the elderly person did not answer the
`from the primary If in decision diamond 258 it is deter-
`phone. Additionally, an incoming call may be bridged
`mined that none of the lines have answered, then a test
`to both the primary and secondary telephones at the
`is made whether the call was abandoned in decision
`switching system, so that if the secondary telephone is
`diamond 268. If the call had not been abandoned, then
`answered first, the primary telephone may be answered
`processing returns to decision diamond 258. If the call 45 for a predetermined time period afterwards. It is there-
`has been abandoned in decision diamond 268 then a
`fore intended that such variations be included within
`message is sent to the secondary SSP in box 270 discon-
`the scope of the following claims.
`tinuing ringing, and this branch ends in 272.
`We claim:
`Updating the primary telephone number is a rela-
`1. A method for providing alerting signals at a plural-
`tively trivial matter and is used, for example, when a 50 ity of telephones, said method comprising:
`business person changes offices temporarily (or perma-
`responsive to receiving an incoming call comprising a
`nently) from one location to another. A special tele-
`destination directory number at a local switching
`phone number is provided for this feature. The call is
`system, translating said destination directory num-
`routed to service circuit node 125 (FIG. 1) to provide
`ber into one or more previously stored identifica-
`DTMF detection and recording of digits received via 55
`tions of lines served by said local switching system
`DTMF detectors 126. Alternatively, and SSP can pro-
`and one or more previously stored directory num-
`vide digit collection and announcement playing by
`bers not served by said local switching system said
`using the standard digit collection DTMF detectors and
`identified lines and directory numbers being associ-
`announcement capabilities. In the preferred embodi-
`ated with said destination directory number;
`ment, SCN 125 plays an announcement requesting the 60
`alerting said one or more identified lines;
`placing outgoing calls to said one or more directory
`user to dial the primary telephone number, followed by
`a personal identification number. The subscriber enters
`numbers; and
`the 7 or 10-digit primary telephone number, followed
`terminating said incoming call to said one or more
`by, in the preferred embodiment, a three or four digit
`identified lines and directory numbers from which
`personal identification number. The service circuit node 65
`an answer is detected.
`2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
`collects the digits, verifies the personal identification
`number and primary telephone number via an SCP
`translating said destination directory number comprises
`inquiry, and plays an announcement. If the primary
`~nding a message to a database shared by a plurality of
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`Bright House Networks - Ex. 1013, Page 8
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`local switching systems and in response said database
`returning said one or more directory numbers and data
`for said one more line identific