US 5,309,512 AGranted

Call waiting deluxe feature

AssigneeAT&T Bell Laboratories

InventorsLa Sheral Blackmon, James R. Blakley, Cheryl J. Kohn, Brenda L. Sermersheim, Kathleen C. Whildin, Diane M. Zurbriggen

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Abstract

A call waiting deluxe method where a switching system forwards calls to a service node that provides specialized call processing, e.g., processing requiring text-to-speech, to a number of switching systems without requiring modification of the hardware design of those systems. Only calls to busy called stations are forwarded to the service node using a call forwarding-busy line feature to avoid unnecessary delays and excessive service node traffic for normal calls. The service node uses the same directory number that was initially dialed for the call, in invoking a call waiting-originating feature which takes precedence over the call forwarding-busy line feature and results in the transmission of a call waiting signal to the called station. The service node obtains the calling party name from a database and responds to a flash signal from the called station by speaking the calling party name to the called party. The service node also transmits an announcement to the called station including a number of call handling options, and responds to a signal from the called station defining one of the options by controlling handling of the incoming call in accordance with the defined option.

Claims16

Dependent claims

In an arrangement comprising a switching system and a service node for specialized call processing, a method comprising

in response to an incoming call from a calling communication station to said switching system for a called communication station having a given directory number and having a call forwarding-busy line feature assigned to it by said switching system, determining whether said called station is busy on another call,
upon determining that said called station is busy on another call, forwarding said incoming call to said service node in accordance with said call forwarding-busy line feature,
in response to said forwarded incoming call, said service node effecting a search for information associated with said calling station,
said service node causing a call waiting signal to be transmitted to said called station by invoking a call waiting-originating feature of said switching system and dialing said given directory number, where said call waiting-originating feature takes precedence over said call forwarding-busy line feature,
after said call waiting signal is transmitted and in response to receipt of a predefined signal from said called station, said switching system disconnecting a communication path between a calling communication station for said another call and said called station, and
after said communication path is disconnected, said service node transmitting speech signals, generated from said information obtained during said search, to said called station.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 07/922,439Filed 29 Jul 1992
Granted: 3 May 1994
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H04Q 11/0428
For time-division multiplexing: integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g.…
H04M 3/428
Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers: arrangements for placing incoming calls on hold
H04Q 3/0029
Arrangements providing connection between exchanges: provisions for intelligent networking
H04M 3/42042
Calling party identification service: notifying the called party of information on the calling party