US6041114A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telecommute server
Assignee: Cisco Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1997-03-27
•
Granted: 2000-03-21
•
Expires: 2017-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for managing a telecommunication system, including call forwarding, with a computer network (LAN, WAN, etc.) integrated with a private branch exchange (PBX) connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Calls are forwarded based upon the device used to log onto the computer network by the called party.
Inventors
- 👤 Kevin L. Chestnut
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 05:13
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/54; H04M2242/00; H04M2242/22; H04M3/42025; H04M3/42034; H04M3/42059; H04M3/42085; H04M3/42102; H04M3/42229; H04M3/42314; H04M3/42323; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04M7/00; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 53
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is determined by whether a computer terminal is logged into a computer network, comprising: a) receiving a call on a telephone system which is coupled to a computer network; b) determining with a server the identity of a called party to whom said call should be directed; c) identifying with the server one of a plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party that is logged-on to said computer network; d) identifying with the server a telephone number associated with said logged-on network logon device; and e) forwarding the call to said telephone number, the forwarded call bypassing the server.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is determined by whether a computer terminal is logged into a computer network, comprising: a) receiving a call on a telephone system which is coupled to a computer network; b) determining with a server the identity of a called party to whom said call should be directed; c) identifying with the server one of a plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party that is logged-on to said computer network; d) identifying with the server a telephone number associated with said logged-on network logon device; and e) forwarding the call to said telephone number, the forwarded call bypassing the server.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said call is directed to a voice messaging system if none of said plurality of network logon devices for the called party is identified as logged-on.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said call is directed to a telephone number associated with the previously logged-on called party network logon device if no currently logged-on network logon device is identified.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said call may be forwarded to any one of a plurality of telephone numbers and the determination of which telephone number said call is forwarded to is based upon the date and time said call is received.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said call may be forwarded to any one of a plurality of telephone numbers and the determination of which telephone number said call is forwarded to is based upon whether said call originated from the publicly switched telephone network or an internal extension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said call may be forwarded to any one of a plurality of telephone numbers and the determination of which telephone number said call is forwarded to is based upon a set of predefined rules.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said call may be forwarded to any one of a plurality of telephone numbers and the determination of which telephone number said call is forwarded to is based upon incoming signals accompanying the call which signals identify the calling party.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the forwarding the call to said telephone number comprises forwarding the call via a publicly switched telephone network.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is determined by whether a computer terminal is logged into a computer network, comprising: a) receiving a call on a telephone system which is coupled to a computer network; b) determining the identity of a called party to whom said call should be directed; c) determining whether one of a plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party is logged onto said computer network; d) if one of the network logon devices is logged onto said computer network, then identifying a telephone number associated with said logged-on network logon device and forwarding the call to said telephone number; and e) if none of said plurality of network logon devices is logged onto said computer network, then directing the call to a default telephone number.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
137 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is determined by whether a computer terminal is logged into a computer network, comprising: a) receiving a call on a telephone system which is coupled to a computer network; b) determining the identity of a called party to whom said call should be directed; c) determining whether one of a plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party is logged onto said computer network; d) if one of the network logon devices is logged onto said computer network, then identifying a telephone number associated with said logged-on network logon device and forwarding the call to said telephone number; and e) if none of said plurality of network logon devices is logged onto said computer network, then directing the call to a default telephone number.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is determined by whether a computer terminal is logged into a computer network, comprising: a) receiving a call on a telephone system which is coupled to a computer network; b) determining the identity of a called party to whom said call should be directed; c) determining whether one of a plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party is logged onto said computer network; d) if one of the network logon devices is logged onto said computer network, then identifying a telephone number associated with said logged-on network logon device and forwarding the call to said telephone number; and e) if none of said plurality of network logon devices is logged onto said computer network, then directing said call to a telephone number associated with a previously logged-on network logon device for a specified period of time after said previously logged-on network logon device logs off said computer network.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is determined by whether a computer terminal is logged into a computer network, comprising: a) receiving a call on a telephone system which is coupled to a computer network; b) determining the identity of a called party to whom said call should be directed; c) determining whether one of a plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party is logged onto said computer network; d) if one of the network logon devices is logged onto said computer network, then identifying a telephone number associated with said logged-on network logon device and forwarding the call to said telephone number; and e) if none of said plurality of network logon devices is logged onto said computer network, then directing said call to a telephone number associated with a previously logged-on network logon device for a specified period of time after said previously logged-on network logon device logs off said computer network.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is controlled by a calling party, comprising: a) receiving a call from the calling party on a telephone network requesting communications with a called party; b) presenting said calling party with a menu listing a plurality of locations to which the call can be forwarded; c) receiving a selection signal from said calling party identifying the location to which said call is to be forwarded; and d) forwarding said call to a forwarding telephone number associated with said selection signal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is controlled by a calling party, comprising: a) receiving a call from the calling party on a telephone network requesting communications with a called party; b) presenting said calling party with a menu listing a plurality of locations to which the call can be forwarded; c) receiving a selection signal from said calling party identifying the location to which said call is to be forwarded; and d) forwarding said call to a forwarding telephone number associated with said selection signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said menu listing is modified based upon the identity of the calling party.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said menu listing is modified based upon the time at which the call is received.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said menu listing is modified based upon the day and date on which the call is received.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 11, wherein said menu listing includes the option of leaving a message with a voice mail system.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 11, further comprising the step of: forwarding said call to a voice messaging system if there is no answer at the telephone number to which the call was forwarded.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is controlled by the called party, comprising: a) receiving an indication that calls directed to a first communications device should be forwarded to a second communications device; b) receiving a call from a calling party on a telephone network directed to said first communications device; c) recording a calling-party message from said calling party; d) forwarding said calling-party message to said second communications device; e) playing said calling-party message at said second communications device; f) receiving a selection signal from said second communications device indicating a third communications device to which said call is to be forwarded; and g) forwarding said call to said third communications device.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
118 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system in which call forwarding is controlled by the called party, comprising: a) receiving an indication that calls directed to a first communications device should be forwarded to a second communications device; b) receiving a call from a calling party on a telephone network directed to said first communications device; c) recording a calling-party message from said calling party; d) forwarding said calling-party message to said second communications device; e) playing said calling-party message at said second communications device; f) receiving a selection signal from said second communications device indicating a third communications device to which said call is to be forwarded; and g) forwarding said call to said third communications device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said second communications device is selected from a plurality of communications devices based upon the time at which the call is received.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said second communications device is selected from a plurality of communications devices based upon the day and date on which the call is received.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said third communications device is an auto attendant system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said third communications device is a voice messaging system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: forwarding said call to a voice messaging system if there is no response from said second communications device.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: presenting at said second communications device a menu listing a plurality of devices to which the call can be forwarded.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said menu listing is modified based upon the identity of the calling party.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said menu listing is modified based upon the time at which the call is received.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said menu listing is modified based upon the day and date on which the call is received.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said menu listing includes the option of forwarding the call to a voice mail system.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system, which includes a voice messaging system, in which call forwarding is determined by whether a computer terminal is logged onto a computer network, comprising: a) receiving a call on a telephone system which is coupled to a computer network; b) determining the number of a called party's extension to which said call should be directed; c) simulating a "ring no answer" of said extension number by sending a "ring no answer" signal to the telephone system; d) intercepting control signals provided by the telephone system to the voice messaging system in response to the "ring no answer" signal; e) recording the control signals which are provided by the telephone system to the voice messaging system in response to the "ring no answer" signal; f) identifying which one of a plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party is logged-on to said computer network; g) if no network logon device for the called party is identified as logged-on, playing the control signals to the voice messaging system, in order to transfer the call to said voice messaging system; h) if a network logon device is identified as logged-on, identifying a telephone number associated with said network logon device and forwarding the call to said telephone number.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
214 words
A method for managing a telecommunications system, which includes a voice messaging system, in which call forwarding is determined by whether a computer terminal is logged onto a computer network, comprising: a) receiving a call on a telephone system which is coupled to a computer network; b) determining the number of a called party's extension to which said call should be directed; c) simulating a "ring no answer" of said extension number by sending a "ring no answer" signal to the telephone system; d) intercepting control signals provided by the telephone system to the voice messaging system in response to the "ring no answer" signal; e) recording the control signals which are provided by the telephone system to the voice messaging system in response to the "ring no answer" signal; f) identifying which one of a plurality of network logon devices associated with said called party is logged-on to said computer network; g) if no network logon device for the called party is identified as logged-on, playing the control signals to the voice messaging system, in order to transfer the call to said voice messaging system; h) if a network logon device is identified as logged-on, identifying a telephone number associated with said network logon device and forwarding the call to said telephone number.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said call is directed to a default telephone number if none of said plurality of network logon devices for the called party is identified as logged-on.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said call is directed to a telephone number associated with the previously logged on called party network logon device if no currently logged on network logon device is identified.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said call is directed to a telephone number associated with the previously logged on called party network logon device for a specified period of time after said network logon device logs off the network if no currently logged-on network logon device is identified.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said call is forwarded to one of a plurality of telephone numbers based upon the date and time said call is received.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said call is forwarded to one a plurality of telephone numbers based upon whether said call originated from the publicly switched telephone network.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said call is forwarded to one of a plurality of telephone numbers based upon a set of predefined rules.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said call is forwarded to one of a plurality of telephone numbers based upon the identity of the calling party.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
112 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a computer system having a plurality of network logon devices associated with a called party and that includes a telephone system coupled to a publicly switched telephone network, the server operable to: a) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming call directed to the called party; b) identify the called party from the information; c) identify one of the network logon devices that is logged onto the computer network; d) identify a telephone number associated with the logged-on network logon device; and e) control the telephone system to forward the call to the telephone number, the forwarded call bypassing the server.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
112 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a computer system having a plurality of network logon devices associated with a called party and that includes a telephone system coupled to a publicly switched telephone network, the server operable to: a) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming call directed to the called party; b) identify the called party from the information; c) identify one of the network logon devices that is logged onto the computer network; d) identify a telephone number associated with the logged-on network logon device; and e) control the telephone system to forward the call to the telephone number, the forwarded call bypassing the server.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
142 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a computer system having a plurality of network logon devices associated with a called party and that includes a telephone system, the server operable to: a) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming telephone call directed to the called party; b) identify the called party from the information; c) determine whether one of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network; d) if one of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network, then identify a telephone number associated with the logged-on network logon device and control the telephone system to forward the call to the telephone number; and e) if none of the network logon devices are logged onto the computer network, then control the telephone system to forward the call to a default telephone number.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
142 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a computer system having a plurality of network logon devices associated with a called party and that includes a telephone system, the server operable to: a) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming telephone call directed to the called party; b) identify the called party from the information; c) determine whether one of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network; d) if one of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network, then identify a telephone number associated with the logged-on network logon device and control the telephone system to forward the call to the telephone number; and e) if none of the network logon devices are logged onto the computer network, then control the telephone system to forward the call to a default telephone number.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
168 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a computer system having a plurality of network logon devices associated with a called party and that includes a telephone system, the server operable to: a) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming telephone call directed to the called party; b) identify the called party from the information; c) determine whether one of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network; d) if one of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network, then identify a telephone number associated with the logged-on network logon device and control the telephone system to forward the call to the telephone number; and e) if none of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network and if the most recently logged-on network logon device has been logged off the computer network for no longer than a predetermined time, then direct the call to a telephone number associated with the most recently logged-on network logon device.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
168 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a computer system having a plurality of network logon devices associated with a called party and that includes a telephone system, the server operable to: a) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming telephone call directed to the called party; b) identify the called party from the information; c) determine whether one of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network; d) if one of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network, then identify a telephone number associated with the logged-on network logon device and control the telephone system to forward the call to the telephone number; and e) if none of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network and if the most recently logged-on network logon device has been logged off the computer network for no longer than a predetermined time, then direct the call to a telephone number associated with the most recently logged-on network logon device.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
98 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a telephone system, the server operable to: a) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming telephone call from a calling party, the call directed to a called party; b) present the calling party with a menu listing a plurality of locations to which the call can be forwarded; c) receive from the calling party a selection signal identifying the location to which the call is to be forwarded; and d) control the telephone system to forward the call to a telephone number associated with the identified location.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
98 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a telephone system, the server operable to: a) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming telephone call from a calling party, the call directed to a called party; b) present the calling party with a menu listing a plurality of locations to which the call can be forwarded; c) receive from the calling party a selection signal identifying the location to which the call is to be forwarded; and d) control the telephone system to forward the call to a telephone number associated with the identified location.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
135 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a telephone system, the server operable to: a) receive an indication that the telephone system is to forward calls directed to a first communications device to a second communications device; b) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming telephone call from a calling party, the call directed to the first communications device; c) record a calling-party message from the calling party; d) control the telephone system to forward the calling-party message to the second communications device; e) play the calling-party message at the second communications device; f) receive a selection signal from the second communications device indicating that the call is to be forwarded to a third communications device; and g) control the telephone system to forward the call to the third communications device.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
135 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a telephone system, the server operable to: a) receive an indication that the telephone system is to forward calls directed to a first communications device to a second communications device; b) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming telephone call from a calling party, the call directed to the first communications device; c) record a calling-party message from the calling party; d) control the telephone system to forward the calling-party message to the second communications device; e) play the calling-party message at the second communications device; f) receive a selection signal from the second communications device indicating that the call is to be forwarded to a third communications device; and g) control the telephone system to forward the call to the third communications device.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
200 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a computer system having a plurality of network logon devices associated with a called party, a telephone system, and a voice messaging system coupled to the telephone system, the server operable to: a) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming telephone call directed to the called party; b) determine the called party's telephone number to which the call is to be directed; c) simulate a "ring no answer" of the telephone number by sending a "ring no answer" signal to the telephone system; d) intercept control signals provided by the telephone system to the voice messaging system in response to the "ring no answer" signal; e) record the intercepted control signals; f) determine whether one of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network; g) if no network logon device is logged-on, then transfer the call to the voice messaging system by playing the recorded control signals to the voice messaging system; and h) if a network logon device is logged-on, then identify a forwarding telephone number associated with the network logon device and control the telephone system to forward the call to the forwarding telephone number.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
200 words
A server for managing a telecommunications system that includes a computer system having a plurality of network logon devices associated with a called party, a telephone system, and a voice messaging system coupled to the telephone system, the server operable to: a) receive information from the telephone system regarding an incoming telephone call directed to the called party; b) determine the called party's telephone number to which the call is to be directed; c) simulate a "ring no answer" of the telephone number by sending a "ring no answer" signal to the telephone system; d) intercept control signals provided by the telephone system to the voice messaging system in response to the "ring no answer" signal; e) record the intercepted control signals; f) determine whether one of the network logon devices is logged onto the computer network; g) if no network logon device is logged-on, then transfer the call to the voice messaging system by playing the recorded control signals to the voice messaging system; and h) if a network logon device is logged-on, then identify a forwarding telephone number associated with the network logon device and control the telephone system to forward the call to the forwarding telephone number.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-03-21 | 2003-09-20 | 2004-03-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-03-21 | 2007-09-20 | 2008-03-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-03-21 | 2011-09-20 | 2012-03-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |