Method and apparatus for managing telecommunications

A method for managing a telecommunications call in a telecommunications network from a caller to an end user, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information;
• screening the call based on the caller identification through automated access to a data base;
• then
• transmitting a first radio signal to a device having a display screen and an input apparatus is for inputting text data into the device which computer is locationally independent of the telecommunications network;
• receiving the first radio signal;
• presenting a first message including data relating to the call;
• receiving user selection data representing a selection by the end user to identify a function to be performed in response to the call;
• transmitting a second radio signal conveying a second message identifying the function to be performed;
• processing the second message in response to said second radio signal;
• and
• performing the identified function in the telecommunications network.

A system for managing a telecommunications call in a telecommunications network from a caller to an end user, the system comprising:

• means for receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information;
• means for identifying the caller from the caller identification information and means for screening the call based on the caller identification information to obtain a first message;
• a first transceiver for transmitting to said end user a first radio signal;
• a second transceiver at said end user for receiving the first radio signal;
• a device, locationally independent of the telecommunications network, with a display device connected to the second transceiver and having a display screen and an input device for inputting data to the device;
• means for displaying on the display screen data prompting said user to select a call routing function which may be performed in response to the call;
• means for receiving user selection data from the input device representing the function to be performed with respect to the call;
• the second transceiver transmitting to the first transceiver a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed;
• and
• means for processing the second message in order to perform, in the telecommunications network, the function identified by the second message.

A system for managing a telecommunications call in a telecommunications network from a caller to an end user, the system comprising:

• means for receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information;
• means for identifying the caller, from the caller identification information and means for screening the call based on the caller identification information to obtain a first message;
• a first transceiver for transmitting to said end user a first radio signal;
• a second transceiver at said end user for receiving he first radio signal;
• a device locationally independent of the telecommunications network, with a display device connected to the second transceiver and having a display screen and an input device for inputting data in human readable form into the device;
• means for displaying on the display screen data prompting said user to select a function which may be performed in response to the call;
• means for receiving user selection data from the input device representing the function to be performed with respect to the call;
• the second transceiver transmitting to the first transceiver a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed;
• and
• means for processing the second message in order to perform, in the telecommunications network, the function identified by the second message.

A system for managing a telecommunications call from a caller to an end user, the system comprising:

• telecommunications apparatus for receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information;
• a call processor for identifying the caller from the caller identification information and screening the call, based on the caller identification information to obtain a first message;
• a first transceiver for transmitting to said end user a first radio signal based on the first message;
• a second transceiver at said end user for receiving the first radio signal;
• a device connected to the second transceiver and having an input device for inputting data to the device including end user selection data, the end user selection data representing a selection of a call routing function to be performed with respect to the call, and a display device for presenting the first message;
• the second transceiver transmitting to the first transceiver a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed;
• and
• the call processor processing the second message to perform the selected function identified.

A system for managing a telecommunications call from a caller to an end user, the system comprising:

• means for receiving the call from the caller, the call including caller identification information;
• means for identifying the caller in response to the caller identification information;
• a first transceiver for transmitting to said end user a first radio signal based on a first message;
• a second transceiver at said end user for receiving the first radio signal;
• a device with a display device connected to the second transceiver and an input device for inputting data to the device;
• means for presenting the first message including data relating to said call on the display screen;
• means for receiving user selection data from the input device, the user selection data representing a selection of the function to be performed with respect to the call,
• the second transceiver transmitting to the first transceiver a second radio signal representing a second message identifying the function to be performed,
• wherein the second message includes a telephone number and routing instructions for routing the call to a telephone identified by the telephone number;
• means for processing the second message to perform the selected function.

A method for managing a telecommunications call in a telecommunications network from a caller to an end user, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving the call from the caller, the call including call identification information;
• screening the call based on the call identification through automated access to a data base;
• then,
• transmitting a first radio signal to a computer having a display screen which device locationally independent of the telecommunications network;
• receiving the first radio signal;
• presenting a first message including data relating to the call;
• receiving user selection data representing a selection by the end user to identify a call routing function to be performed in response to the call;
• transmitting a second radio signal conveying a second message identifying the function to be performed;
• processing the second message in response to said second radio signal;
• and
• performing the identified function in the telecommunications network.

A system to control processing of an incoming telephone call directed to a subscriber in a selectable one of a plurality of call processing modes, the call processing mode employed being selectable by said subscriber, the system including a portable communicator device for sending and receiving radio frequency messages, to be carried by said subscriber;

• wherein:
• the communicator device accepts a plurality of call processing control information inputs independent of system signals automatically responsive to said incoming telephone call;
• the communicator prepares corresponding signals containing information reflecting the call processing control information inputs;
• when particular call processing control information is accepted which so indicates, the communicator device sends the prepared signal reflecting the particular call processing control information, thereby directing the system to change the call processing mode employed for said subscriber without a need for said subscriber to establish a telephone call;
• and
• the system changes the call processing mode for said subscriber in accordance with the particular call processing control information reflected by the signal from the communicator device.

A method of controlling processing of an incoming telephone call directed to a subscriber in a selected one of a plurality of call processing modes selectable for said subscriber, the method comprising:

• programmatically controlling a telephone control system;
• sending and receiving radio frequency messages via a portable communicator device carried by said subscriber;
• inputting any particular one of a plurality of different call processing control instructions to the communicator device;
• sending a signal corresponding to the particular instruction from the communicator device directing the telephone control system, without a need for said subscriber to establish a telephone call, to change the call processing mode employed for said subscriber in accordance with said particular instruction;
• and
• changing the call processing mode for said subscriber in accordance with the signal from the communicator device.

A method for managing a telecommunications call from a caller to an end user, the method comprising the steps of:

• receiving the call from the caller;
• transmitting a first radio signal to a computer having a display screen;
• receiving the first radio signal;
• presenting a first message on the display screen;
• selecting a call routing function to be performed in response to the call;
• transmitting a second radio signal conveying a second message identifying the selected function to be performed;
• and
• processing the second message in response to said second radio signal to perform the selected function before the call from the caller is completed to a destination defined by the selection.