(12) United States Patent
`(12) United States Patent
`Burg
`Burg
`
`(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CALLED-
`(54) APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CALLED-
`PARTY TELEPHONE MESSAGING WHILE
`PARTY TELEPHONE MESSAGING WHILE
`INTERCONNECTED TO A DATA NETWORK
`INTERCONNECTED TO A DATA NETWORK
`
`Inventor: Frederick Murray Burg, West Long
`(75)
`(75) Inventor: Frederick Murray Burg, West Long
`Branch, NJ (US)
`Branch, NJ (US)
`(73) Assignee: AT&T Corp., New York, NY (US)
`(73) Assignee: AT&T Corp., New York, NY (US)
`
`(*) Notice:
`Notice:
`* )
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 08/908,669
`(21) Appl. No.: 08/908,669
`(22) Filed:
`Aug. 7, 1997
`Aug. 7, 1997
`(22) Filed:
`(51) Int. Cl. .......................... H04M 11/00; H04M 3/42
` HO4M 11/00; HO4M 3/42
`(51) Int. C1.7
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................ 379,215, 379/93.35; 370/352
`(52) U.S. Cl.
` 379/215; 379/93.35; 370/352
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 379/88.12, 88.13,
`(58) Field of Search
` 379/88.12, 88.13,
`379/88.16, 88.17, 88.19, 88.2, 210, 211,
`379/88.16, 88.17, 88 19, 88.2, 210, 211,
`212, 215, 93.15; 370/352
`212, 215, 93.15; 370/352
`References Cited
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,327,486 * 7/1994 Wolff et al.
`5,327,486 * 7/1994 Wolff et al. .................
`
`- - - - - - - - - 379/210
`
` 379/210
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111121911,111111111111111111111111111111111
`
`USOO621 9413B1
`(10) Patent No.:
`US 6,219,413 B1
`US 6,219,413 B1
`(to) Patent No.:
`Apr. 17, 2001
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Apr. 17, 2001
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`5,533,102
`7/1996 Robinson et al. ................... 379/215
`5,533,102 * 7/1996 Robinson et al.
`379/215
`5,625,676
`4/1997 Greco et al. ......................... 379/201
`5,625,676 * 4/1997 Greco et al.
`379/201
`5,651,054
`7/1997 Dunn et al. .......................... 379/210
`5,651,054 * 7/1997 Dunn et al.
`379/210
`5,652,789 * 7/1997 Miner et al. ......................... 379/201
`5,652,789 * 7/1997 Miner et al.
`379/201
`5,805,587 * 9/1998 Norris et al.......................... 379/212
`5,805,587 * 9/1998 Norris et al.
`379/212
`5,809,128 * 9/1998 McMullin ............................ 379/215
`379/215
`5,809,128 * 9/1998 McMullin
`5,946,386 * 8/1999 Rogers et al.
`379/265
`8/1999 Rogers et al. ....................... 379/265
`5,946,386
`
`* cited by examiner
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner Krista Zele
`Primary Examiner Krista Zele
`Assistant Examiner—Roland G. Foster
`ASSistant Examiner-Roland G. Foster
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An apparatus and method allow a called party, who is
`An apparatus and method allow a called party, who is
`utilizing the telephone transmission line to connect to a data
`utilizing the telephone transmission line to connect to a data
`network, and as Such is unable to directly receive an
`network, and as such is unable to directly receive an
`incoming phone call from a calling party, to be able to
`incoming phone call from a calling party, to be able to
`provide a specific response message to the calling party
`provide a specific response message to the calling party
`while not requiring the called party to directly communicate
`while not requiring the called party to directly communicate
`with the calling party.
`with the calling party.
`
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`20 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`412
`412
`S
`PLACE CALL TO
`PLACE CALL TO
`CALLED PARTY
`CALLED PARTY
`
`418
`418
`
`S
`
`SEND CALL BACK
`SEND CALL BACK
`TO LEC
`TO LEC
`
`424
`424
`S
`
`TALK 0
`TALK TO
`CALLED PARTY
`CALLED PARTY
`
`SEND CALL
`SEND CALL
`BACK TO LEC
`BACK TO LEC
`S
`
`428
`428
`
`400
`400
`
`NCOMING CAL
`INCOMING CALL
`
`405
`405 -
`
`LEC ATTEMPT TO
`LEC ATTEMPT TO
`PLACE CALL
`PLACE CALL
`
`410
`410
`
`414
`41 -->
`
`N
`NO
`
`BUSY ?
`1YES
`YES
`DIRECT CALL TO
`DIRECT CALL TO
`TELEPHONY GATEWAY
`TELEPHONY GATEWAY
`
`416
`416
`
`420
`
`422
`
`
`
`426
`
`430
`AO-1
`
`NO
`
`CONNECTED TO
`CONNECTED TO
`DATA NETWORK ?/
`DATA NETWORK
`YES
`IYES
`NOTIFY CALLED
`NOTIFY CALLED
`PARTY OF CALL
`PARTY OF CALL
`
`N
`
`ACCEPT CALL ? > YES
`INO
`SEND REPLY
`SEND REPLY
`MESSAGE ?
`MESSAGE 2
`YES
`IYES
`CALLED PARTY
`CALLED PARTY
`GENERATE AND
`GENERATE AND
`TRANSMIT MESSAGE
`TRANSMIT MESSAGE
`TO TELEPHONY
`TO TELEPHONY
`GATEWAY
`GATEWAY
`
`432
`452---
`
`434
`434 -1
`
`TELEPHONY
`TELEPHONY
`GATEWAY SEND
`GATEWAY SEND
`VOICE MESSAGE
`WOICE MESSAGE
`TO LEC
`TO LEC
`
`LEC TRANSMIT
`LEC TRANSMIT
`VOICE RESPONSE
`WOICE RESPONSE
`MESSAGE TO
`MESSAGEO
`CALLING PARTY
`CALLING PARTY
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2002
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01280
`Page 1
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`Apr. 17, 2001
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 6,219,413 B1
`US 6,219,413 B1
`
`FIG. 1
`FIG. 1
`
`120
`120
`
`1 1 0
`
`
`
`vv
`
`130
`
`S
`100
`
`150s
`150
`
`154
`S
`MODEM
`
`TO DATA
`TODATA
`NETWORK
`NETWORK
`
`7 - 152
`TEFphony
`TELEPHONY
`GATEWAY
`GATEWAY
`S
`156
`
`140
`
`LEC
`
`145
`
`160
`
`FIC. 2
`FIG. 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`100 -------
`
`200 -------
`
`INCOMING CALL H 210
`
`
`
`ACCEPT
`
`------- 212
`
`IGNORE - 214
`214
`
`IGNORE
`H 216
`
`REPLY
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2002
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01280
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`Apr. 17, 2001
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 6,219,413 B1
`US 6,219,413 B1
`
`FIG. 3A
`FIG. 3A
`I
`
`100
`100 -------
`
`I
`300 ------
`
`COMPOSE MESSAGE
`COMPOSE MESSAGE
`
`AUDIO
`AUDIO
`
`h310
`310
`
`TEXT
`TEXT
`
`H320
`320
`
`/
`
`
`
`\
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3B
`r
`-
`r
`
`312 -------
`312
`
`AUDIO MESSAGE
`AUDIO MESSAGE
`
`SELECT AUDIO FILE -314
`SELECT AUDIO FILE —"314
`
`COMPOSE AUDIO
`COMPOSE AUDIO
`MESSAGE
`MESSAGE
`
`316
`—316
`
`100 -------
`
`
`
`
`
`/
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2002
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01280
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`Apr. 17, 2001
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US 6,219,413 B1
`US 6,219,413 B1
`
`FIC. 3C
`FIG. 3C
`
`
`
`
`
`100 ------
`100
`
`
`
`
`
`322 --------
`
`TEXT MESSAGE
`TEXT MESSAGE
`
`SELECT TEXT FILE un324
`SELECT TEXT FILE 1---324
`
`COMPOSE TEXT
`COMPOSE TEXT
`MESSAGE
`MESSAGE
`
`326
`326
`
`/
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2002
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01280
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 17, 2001
`Apr. 17, 2001
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US 6,219,413 B1
`US 6,219,413 B1
`
`FIG. 4
`FIG. 4
`
`400
`400
`
`405
`405
`
`INCOMING CALL
`INCOMING CALL
`i
`LEC ATTEMPT TO
`LEC ATTEMPT TO
`PLACE CALL
`
`PLACE CALL 1
`
`NO
`N
`
`412
`412
`
`PLACE CALL TO
`PLACE CALL TO
`CALLED PARTY
`CALLED PARTY
`
`418
`418
`S
`SEND CALL BACK
`SEND CALL BACK
`TO LEC
`TO LEC
`
`424
`424
`S
`TALK TO
`TALK TO
`CALLED PARTY
`CALLED PARTY
`
`SEND CALL
`SEND CALL
`BACK TO LEC
`BACK TO LEC
`
`428
`428
`
`410 -----<
`410
`
`414
`414
`
`416
`416
`
`420
`420
`
`426
`426
`
`432
`
`BUSY ?
`IYES
`YES
`DIRECT CALL TO
`DIRECT CALL TO
`TELEPHONY GATEWAY
`TELEPHONY GATEWAY
`I
`CONNECTED TO MNO
`CONNECTED TO
`NO
`DATA NETWORK ?
`DATA NETWORK ?
`,YES
`YES
`NOTIFY CALLED
`NOTIFY CALLED
`PARTY OF CALL
`PARTY OF CALL
`1
`(ACCEPT CALL 2).ES
`Y
` > ES
`422 ------‹ ACCEPT CALL ?
`422
`1q0
`O
`SEND REPLY
`SEND REPLY NNO
`N
`MESSAGE ?
`MESSAGE 2
`YES
`YES
`CALLED PARTY
`CALLED PARTY
`GENERATE AND
`GENERATE AND
`TRANSMIT MESSAGE
`430
`430 ul. TRANSMIT MESSAGE
`TO TELEPHONY
`TO TELEPHONY
`GATEWAY
`GATEWAY
`i
`TELEPHONY
`TELEPHONY
`432 - GATEWAYSEND
`GATEWAY SEND
`VOICE MESSAGE
`VOICE MESSAGE
`TO LEC
`TO LEC
`
`434
`434 sur
`
`LEC TRANSMIT
`LEC TRANSMIT
`VOICE RESPONSE
`WOICE RESPONSE
`MESSAGE TO
`MESSAGE TO
`CALLING PARTY
`CALLING PARTY
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2002
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01280
`Page 5
`
`

`

`US 6,219,413 B1
`US 6,219,413 B1
`
`1
`1
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CALLED
`APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CALLED-
`PARTY TELEPHONE MESSAGING WHILE
`PARTY TELEPHONE MESSAGING WHILE
`INTERCONNECTED TO A DATA NETWORK
`INTERCONNECTED TO A DATA NETWORK
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The invention relates to an apparatus and method for
`The invention relates to an apparatus and method for
`responding to an incoming telephone call when the called
`responding to an incoming telephone call when the called
`party is utilizing the telephone transmission line to provide
`party is utilizing the telephone transmission line to provide
`interconnection of the called party's computer to a data
`interconnection of the called party's computer to a data
`network. More specifically, the invention relates to an appa
`network. More specifically, the invention relates to an appa-
`ratus and method for providing the called party with the
`ratus and method for providing the called party with the
`capability to respond to the incoming phone call by Sending
`capability to respond to the incoming phone call by sending
`a voice message to the calling party while the called party
`a voice message to the calling party while the called party
`remains connected to the data network.
`remains connected to the data network.
`When an individual is interconnected on-line to a data
`When an individual is interconnected on-line to a data
`network, Such as the Internet public data network, the
`network, such as the Internet public data network, the
`individual's telephone transmission line is utilized to con
`individual's telephone transmission line is utilized to con-
`nect that individual's computer to the network. When the
`nect that individual's computer to the network. When the
`individual is utilizing that line to connect to the network, the
`individual is utilizing that line to connect to the network, the
`transmission line cannot be utilized to receive incoming
`transmission line cannot be utilized to receive incoming
`phone calls. A caller trying to call the individual will receive
`phone calls. A caller trying to call the individual will receive
`a busy signal from the local exchange carrier (LEC) after the
`a busy signal from the local exchange carrier (LEC) after the
`LEC tries to place the call to the called party.
`LEC tries to place the call to the called party.
`In this situation where a called party is utilizing the
`In this situation where a called party is utilizing the
`telephone transmission line to connect to the Internet, there
`telephone transmission line to connect to the Internet, there
`are known methods for responding to the incoming phone
`are known methods for responding to the incoming phone
`call. However, these known methods Suffer drawbacks.
`call. However, these known methods suffer drawbacks.
`Local Exchange Carriers (LEC) currently provide Services
`Local Exchange Carriers (LEC) currently provide services
`where, if a called party's phone line is busy, the LEC can
`where, if a called party's phone line is busy, the LEC can
`provide a pre-recorded message to the calling party Via, for
`provide a pre-recorded message to the calling party via, for
`example, an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. This
`example, an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. This
`pre-recorded message provides information to the calling
`pre-recorded message provides information to the calling
`party regarding the availability of the called party for
`party regarding the availability of the called party for
`accepting the incoming phone call. This information, for
`accepting the incoming phone call. This information, for
`example, can notify the calling party that the called party's
`example, can notify the calling party that the called party's
`phone line is busy and request that the calling party call back
`phone line is busy and request that the calling party call back
`at a later time. Whereas this pre-recorded message is able to
`at a later time. Whereas this pre-recorded message is able to
`provide information to the calling party, drawbacks with this
`provide information to the calling party, drawbacks with this
`known method include the fact that this System does not
`known method include the fact that this system does not
`inform the called party that they have an incoming call and
`inform the called party that they have an incoming call and
`does not provide any flexibility for the called party to
`does not provide any flexibility for the called party to
`personalize a response message to a particular calling party.
`personalize a response message to a particular calling party.
`Because the called party is not informed that they have an
`Because the called party is not informed that they have an
`incoming call, the called party does not have the option of
`incoming call, the called party does not have the option of
`accepting the call. Therefore, all incoming calls will receive
`accepting the call. Therefore, all incoming calls will receive
`the same message that the called party's phone line is busy.
`the same message that the called party's phone line is busy.
`Additionally, Since the response message is pre-recorded,
`Additionally, since the response message is pre-recorded,
`the called party does not have the opportunity to provide a
`the called party does not have the opportunity to provide a
`Specific message to a calling party in response to the
`specific message to a calling party in response to the
`incoming call. Depending upon the called party's unique
`incoming call. Depending upon the called party's unique
`circumstances at the time of the call, the called party may
`circumstances at the time of the call, the called party may
`want to provide a specific, tailored message to a calling
`want to provide a specific, tailored message to a calling
`party. This message, for example, could inform the caller
`party. This message, for example, could inform the caller
`that the called party is currently connected to the Internet
`that the called party is currently connected to the Internet
`and could also request the caller to call back at a specific
`and could also request the caller to call back at a specific
`time. With current IVR systems, the called party does not
`time. With current IVR systems, the called party does not
`have the capability to provide a specific message to a calling
`have the capability to provide a specific message to a calling
`party that is composed by the called party based on the
`party that is composed by the called party based on the
`circumstances at the time the call is being placed.
`circumstances at the time the call is being placed.
`Additional Systems are available that are able to notify a
`Additional systems are available that are able to notify a
`called party of an incoming phone call while the phone line
`called party of an incoming phone call while the phone line
`is being utilized by the called party. An example of this type
`is being utilized by the called party. An example of this type
`of service is the “call waiting” service provided by a
`of service is the "call waiting" service provided by a
`telephone Service provider. This Service notifies a called
`telephone service provider. This service notifies a called
`party who is then using the telephone that another incoming
`party who is then using the telephone that another incoming
`call has been received. The called party can either accept the
`call has been received. The called party can either accept the
`
`2
`2
`incoming call or ignore the call in response to the notifica
`incoming call or ignore the call in response to the notifica-
`tion of the Second call.
`tion of the second call.
`This Same type of Service is also available to a called party
`This same type of service is also available to a called party
`that is utilizing the telephone line to interconnect to the
`that is utilizing the telephone line to interconnect to the
`Internet. The Internet Service provider can provide a signal
`5 Internet. The Internet service provider can provide a signal
`to the called party that the called party has an incoming
`to the called party that the called party has an incoming
`telephone call. But again, as with the “call waiting Service
`telephone call. But again, as with the "call waiting" service
`described above, the called party has the option of either
`described above, the called party has the option of either
`accepting the call or ignoring the call. If the called party
`accepting the call or ignoring the call. If the called party
`desires to accept the call, the called party can utilize the
`10 desires to accept the call, the called party can utilize the
`computer's microphone to talk to the calling party over the
`computer's microphone to talk to the calling party over the
`established data link. However, if the called party's com
`established data link. However, if the called party's com-
`puter is not powerful enough to Support real-time Voice
`puter is not powerful enough to support real-time voice
`communications, this option is not available to the called
`communications, this option is not available to the called
`party.
`15
`15 party.
`Neither of these two “call waiting” services addressed
`Neither of these two "call waiting" services addressed
`above provide the called party with the option of responding
`above provide the called party with the option of responding
`to the incoming call by Sending a message to the calling
`to the incoming call by sending a message to the calling
`party. The called party only has the options of accepting the
`party. The called party only has the options of accepting the
`call or not accepting the call. If the call is not accepted, the
`20 call or not accepting the call. If the call is not accepted, the
`calling party either receives a busy Signal or receives a
`calling party either receives a busy signal or receives a
`pre-recorded message as discussed above. Again, with these
`pre-recorded message as discussed above. Again, with these
`Services, as with the Interactive Voice Response Service
`services, as with the Interactive Voice Response service
`discussed previously, there is no capability for the called
`discussed previously, there is no capability for the called
`25
`party to provide a Specific message to a calling party in
`25 party to provide a specific message to a calling party in
`response to the incoming phone call without accepting the
`response to the incoming phone call without accepting the
`call.
`call.
`Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus
`Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus
`and method for allowing a called party, already connected to
`30 and method for allowing a called party, already connected to
`a data network using a telephone transmission line to be able
`a data network using a telephone transmission line to be able
`to provide a Specific message to a calling party attempting to
`to provide a specific message to a calling party attempting to
`access the called party via that transmission line while not
`access the called party via that transmission line while not
`requiring the called party to directly communicate with the
`requiring the called party to directly communicate with the
`calling party.
`calling party.
`
`3 5
`35
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The drawbacks of the messaging Systems in the prior art
`The drawbacks of the messaging systems in the prior art
`are overcome by the present invention which includes an
`are overcome by the present invention which includes an
`apparatus and method for responding to an incoming phone
`40 apparatus and method for responding to an incoming phone
`40
`call when the called party is utilizing the telephone trans
`call when the called party is utilizing the telephone trans-
`mission line for connecting to a data network. The present
`mission line for connecting to a data network. The present
`invention allows the called party to compose and Send a
`invention allows the called party to compose and send a
`Specific response message to the calling party without
`specific response message to the calling party without
`requiring the called party to directly communicate with the
`45 requiring the called party to directly communicate with the
`45
`calling party.
`calling party.
`In accordance with the present invention there is provided
`In accordance with the present invention there is provided
`a called party messaging System. The called party is con
`a called party messaging system. The called party is con-
`nected to a data network by utilizing the telephone trans
`nected to a data network by utilizing the telephone trans-
`mission line to connect the called party's computer to the
`50 mission line to connect the called party's computer to the
`50
`data network. When an incoming call is placed to the called
`data network. When an incoming call is placed to the called
`party, the Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) detects that the
`party, the Local Exchange Carrier (LEC) detects that the
`called party's telephone line is busy and then, for example,
`called party's telephone line is busy and then, for example,
`through a "call-forward on busy Signal Service that is
`through a "call-forward on busy signal" service that is
`established with the LEC by the called party, the LEC directs
`55 established with the LEC by the called party, the LEC directs
`55
`the call to a telephony gateway that is resident in the network
`the call to a telephony gateway that is resident in the network
`of the network Service provider. The telephony gateway
`of the network service provider. The telephony gateway
`checks the status of the service provider to determine if the
`checks the status of the service provider to determine if the
`called party's line is busy due to being connected to the
`called party's line is busy due to being connected to the
`network Service provider. If the called party is not connected
`60 network service provider. If the called party is not connected
`60
`to the service provider, and therefore the line is busy for
`to the service provider, and therefore the line is busy for
`Some other reason (e.g. the called party is utilizing the phone
`some other reason (e.g. the called party is utilizing the phone
`line to talk to another party on the phone) the telephony
`line to talk to another party on the phone) the telephony
`gateway directs the call back to the LEC and the LEC
`gateway directs the call back to the LEC and the LEC
`provides a busy Signal, or other programmed response, to the
`65 provides a busy signal, or other programmed response, to the
`65
`calling party. If the called party is connected to the network
`calling party. If the called party is connected to the network
`Service provider, the telephony gateway Sends a signal to the
`service provider, the telephony gateway sends a signal to the
`
`Qualcomm Exhibit 2002
`Apple v. Qualcomm, IPR2018-01280
`Page 6
`
`

`

`3
`3
`called party's computer through the telephone transmission
`called party's computer through the telephone transmission
`line that notifies the called party that they have an incoming
`line that notifies the called party that they have an incoming
`call.
`call.
`When the telephony gateway notifies the called party of
`When the telephony gateway notifies the called party of
`the incoming call, it also provides the called party with the
`the incoming call, it also provides the called party with the
`options of accepting the call, declining to accept the call, or
`options of accepting the call, declining to accept the call, or
`responding to the call by providing a response message to
`responding to the call by providing a response message to
`the calling party. If the called party chooses to respond to the
`the calling party. If the called party chooses to respond to the
`call by providing a response message, the called party can
`call by providing a response message, the called party can
`either Send a text response message or an audio response
`either send a text response message or an audio response
`message to the telephony gateway for further transmission to
`message to the telephony gateway for further transmission to
`the LEC and, ultimately, to the calling party. The telephony
`the LEC and, ultimately, to the calling party. The telephony
`gateway would convert any text message Sent by the called
`gateway would convert any text message sent by the called
`party into a voice message for transmission to the calling
`party into a voice message for transmission to the calling
`party by using known text-to-Speech Software. An audio
`party by using known text-to-speech software. An audio
`message Sent by the called party would be converted to a
`message sent by the called party would be converted to a
`digital data Stream by the called party's computer and be
`digital data stream by the called party's computer and be
`interleaved with any other data being sent to the network by
`interleaved with any other data being sent to the network by
`the called party's computer over the telephone transmission
`the called party's computer over the telephone transmission
`line for receipt by the telephony gateway.
`line for receipt by the telephony gateway.
`The gateway would then convert the digitally encoded
`The gateway would then convert the digitally encoded
`audio message into an analog voice message and Send the
`audio message into an analog voice message and send the
`Voice message to the LEC for further transmission to the
`voice message to the LEC for further transmission to the
`calling party.
`calling party.
`In this manner, a party who is utilizing the telephone
`In this manner, a party who is utilizing the telephone
`transmission line to connect to a data network can respond
`transmission line to connect to a data network can respond
`to an incoming call by composing and Sending a message to
`to an incoming call by composing and sending a message to
`the calling party. The called party is able to generate and
`the calling party. The called party is able to generate and
`communicate a Specific message to the calling party without
`communicate a specific message to the calling party without
`being required to accept the call from the calling party.
`being required to accept the call from the calling party.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a telecommunica
`FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a telecommunica-
`tions link in which the present invention may be practiced.
`tions link in which the present invention may be practiced.
`FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a call notification
`FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a call notification
`page in accordance with the present invention.
`page in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of a pop-up window
`FIG. 3A illustrates one embodiment of a pop-up window
`for composing a response message to an incoming call in
`for composing a response message to an incoming call in
`accordance with the present invention.
`accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of an audio message
`FIG. 3B illustrates one embodiment of an audio message
`pop-up window for composing an audio message in
`pop-up window for composing an audio message in
`response to an incoming call in accordance with the present
`response to an incoming call in accordance with the present
`invention.
`invention.
`FIG. 3C illustrates one embodiment of a text message
`FIG. 3C illustrates one embodiment of a text message
`pop-up window for composing a text message in response to
`pop-up window for composing a text message in response to
`an incoming call in accordance with the present invention.
`an incoming call in accordance with the present invention.
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart for the steps involved in responding
`FIG. 4 is a flow chart for the steps involved in responding
`to an incoming call by composing and Sending a reply
`to an incoming call by composing and sending a reply
`message in accordance with the present invention.
`message in accordance with the present invention.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a telecommunica
`FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a telecommunica-
`tions link in which the present invention may be utilized to
`tions link in which the present invention may be utilized to
`provide a called party that is interconnected to a data
`provide a called party that is interconnected to a data
`network with the capability to be able to respond to a calling
`network with the capability to be able to respond to a calling
`party's incoming phone call by generating and Sending a
`party's incoming phone call by generating and sending a
`response message to the calling party. AS shown in FIG. 1,
`response message to the calling party. As shown in FIG. 1,
`a called party is interconnected to a data network, which
`a called party is interconnected to a data network, which
`may be the Internet public data network, by utilizing the
`may be the Internet public data network, by utilizing the
`called party's computer 100 to connect to a data network
`called party's computer 100 to connect to a data network
`service connection, or provider, 150. The called party's
`service connection, or provider, 150. The called party's
`computer 100 utilizes the telephone transmission line 130 to
`computer 100 utilizes the telephone transmission line 130 to
`connect the computer to LEC 140. LEC 140 communicates
`connect the computer to LEC 140. LEC 140 communicates
`with data network service provider 150 through transmission
`with data network service provider 150 through transmission
`line 145. As is well known in the art, computer 100 contains
`line 145. As is well known in the art, computer 100 contains
`
`US 6,219,413 B1
`US 6,219,413 B1
`
`5
`5
`
`4
`4
`a modem (not shown) to dial into the data network Service
`a modem (not shown) to dial into the data network service
`provider 150. The connection between computer 100 and
`provider 150. The connection between computer 100 and
`service provider 150 is made by the telephone local
`service provider 150 is made by the telephone local
`eXchange carrier 140. In this manner, a called party utilizes
`exchange carrier 140. In this manner, a called party utilizes
`the called party's telephone transmission line 130 to connect
`the called party's telephone transmission line 130 to connect
`the called party's computer 100 to the data network service
`the called party's computer 100 to the data network service
`provider 150. Access to the data network is provided to the
`provider 150. Access to the data network is provided to the
`called party by the data network Service provider.
`called party by the data network service provider.
`As can be seen in FIG. 1, the called party's telephone 120
`As can be seen in FIG. 1, the called party's telephone 120
`utilizes the same telephone transmission line 130 to connect
`10 utilizes the same telephone transmission line 130 to connect
`to LEC 140 as does computer 100. As such, only one
`to LEC 140 as does computer 100. As such, only one
`connection at a time, either a telephone connection by
`connection at a time, either a telephone connection by
`telephone 120 or a data connection by computer 100, may be
`telephone 120 or a data connection by computer 100, may be
`established over transmission line 130. Therefore, as a result
`established over transmission line 130. Therefore, as a result
`of the called party's use of the telephone transmission line
`15 of the called party's use of the telephone transmission line
`15
`130 to connect computer 100 to network service provider
`130 to connect computer 100 to network service provider
`150, the transmission line is notable to be utilized to receive
`150, the transmission line is not able to be utilized to receive
`incoming telephone calls on the line.
`incoming telephone calls on the line.
`When a calling party attempts to place a telephone call to
`When a calling party attempts to place a telephone call to
`the called party while the called party is utilizing computer
`20 the called party while the called party is utilizing computer
`100 to connect to the data network, the LEC will not be able
`100 to connect to the data network, the LEC will not be able
`to complete the connection request. LEC 140 will attempt to
`to complete the connection request. LEC 140 will attempt to
`connect the calling party's phone 160 with the called party's
`connect the calling party's phone 160 with the called party's
`phone 120. When LEC 140 attempts to connect the call to
`phone 120. When LEC 140 attempts to connect the call to
`the called party's phone 120, the LEC will determine that
`25 the called party's phone 120, the LEC will determine that
`25
`telephone transmission line 130 is currently being utilized
`telephone transmission line 130 is currently being utilized
`and, t