Method and apparatus for managing calls through an entertainment center
AssigneeComverse, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Brunelle, Allan E. Brockenbrough
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An incoming telephone call is held in a telephony network while a subscriber is notified that the call is waiting to be handled. A guide menu presenting call handling options is displayed on an entertainment center while a program played through the entertainment center is paused and recorded. The subscriber selects a desired call handling option using a remote control device and the call is handled in a manner corresponding to the selected call handling option.
Claims21
A method of managing calls through an entertainment center, comprising:
- sending a signal indicating that there is an incoming call;
- and
- handling the incoming call in accordance with a selected call handling option presented over the entertainment center.
A call management system comprising:
- a call management server residing in a telephony provider network;
- and
- a television call manager connected to an entertainment center to receive a signal from the call management server indicating that an incoming call is waiting at the call management server.
A method of managing calls through an entertainment center, comprising:
- receiving an incoming call through the entertainment center;
- automatically pausing and recording a television program played through the entertainment center when the incoming call is received;
- and
- resuming the television program when the incoming call is terminated.
A method of managing calls through an entertainment center, comprising:
- receiving an incoming call;
- pausing a program played through the entertainment center;
- displaying a menu on a display of the entertainment center;
- prompting a subscriber to select a call handling option from the menu displayed on the entertainment center;
- executing a selected call handling option;
- and
- unpausing the program played through the entertainment center.
A method of managing calls through an entertainment center, comprising:
- means for sending a signal indicating that there is an incoming call;
- and
- means for handling the incoming call in accordance with a selected call handling option presented over the entertainment center.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.