# US 8,787,898 B2 · System, method and apparatus for remotely configuring selective call features > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,787,898 B2 - Document ID: US8787898B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 12/133,488 - Filed: 2008-06-05 - Published: 2009-12-10 - Granted: 2014-07-22 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-05 - Assignees: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC - Applicants: Shekhar Gupta; Mike A. Roberts; Victoria M. Toner; Jim Kevin Edwards - Inventors: Shekhar Gupta; Mike A. Roberts; Victoria M. Toner; Jim Kevin Edwards - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8787898B2 ## CPC - H04M 3/436: Arrangements for screening incoming calls {, i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it (based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54)} - H04M 3/42153: {by subscriber} - H04M 3/42382: {Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks} - H04M 3/42102: {Making use of the called party identifier} - H04M 3/54: Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber {(based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308)} - H04M 2203/652: Call initiation triggered by text message - H04M: TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION (circuits for controlling other apparatus via a telephone cable and not involving telephone switching apparatus G08) ## Abstract A method, system and apparatus for remotely configuring selective call features includes receiving a selective call feature request message addressed to a feature configuration address associated with a first communication device from a second communication device. The selective call feature request message includes a selective call feature command. The method further includes enabling a selective call feature indicated by the selective call feature command for the first communication device. In various embodiments, the selective call feature request message is a text message. In some embodiments, the method further includes sending a selective call feature acknowledgment message to the second communication device. The selective call feature acknowledgment message indicates that the selective call feature is enabled for the first communication device. In various embodiments, the selective call feature request message includes a selective call forwarding command, a selective call acceptance command, or a selective call rejection command. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for remotely configuring selective call features, comprising: receiving, by a server, a selective call feature request message addressed to a feature configuration address uniquely allocated only to a first communication device, wherein the feature configuration address is configured to identify the first communication device and wherein the feature configuration address is configured exclusively for receiving selective call feature requests associated with the first communication device, the elective call feature request message including a selective call feature command, wherein a message that includes the selective call feature request message is configured to be distinguished from a normal message that does not include the selective call feature request message based on whether the message includes at least one non-alphanumerical distinguishing character; enabling a selective call feature indicated by the selective call feature command for the first communication device; and sending a selective call feature acknowledgment message, the selective call feature acknowledgment message indicating that the selective call feature is enabled for the first communication device. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the selective call feature request message is a text message, a body of the text message specifying that the selective call feature command, wherein the feature configuration address is inserted into a send to field of the text message. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the selective call feature acknowledgment message comprises a text message. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving a selective call feature cancellation message addressed to the feature configuration address associated with the first communication device, the selective call feature cancellation message indicating that a selective call feature is to be disabled; and in response to receiving the selective call feature cancellation message, disabling the selective call feature indicated by the selective call feature cancellation message for the first communication device. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising: sending a cancellation acknowledgment message, the cancellation acknowledgment message indicating that the selective call feature is disabled for the first communication device. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selective call feature request message includes receiving a selective call forwarding command, a phone number associated with an incoming caller to which selective call forwarding is to be applied, and a phone number to which calls from the incoming caller are to be forwarded. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selective call feature request message includes receiving a selective call rejection command and a phone number associated with an incoming caller to which selective call rejection is to be applied. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the selective call feature request message includes receiving a selective call acceptance command and a phone number associated with an incoming caller to which selective call acceptance is to be applied. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-alphanumerical distinguishing character is located at the end of the call feature request message. ### Claim 10 An server apparatus for remotely configuring selective call features, comprising: at least one processor, the at least one processor configured to: receive a selective call feature request message addressed to a feature configuration address uniquely allocated only to a first communication device, wherein the feature configuration address is configured to identify the first communication device and wherein the feature configuration address is configured exclusively for receiving selective call feature requests associated with the first communication device, the selective call feature request message including a selective call feature command, wherein a message that includes the selective call feature request message is configured to be distinguished from a normal message that does not include the selective call feature request message based on whether the message includes at least one non-alphanumerical distinguishing character; enable a selective call feature indicated by the selective call feature command for the first communication device; and send a selective call feature acknowledgment message, the selective call feature acknowledgment message indicating that the selective call feature is enabled for the first communication device. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the selective call feature request message is a text message, and wherein the feature configuration address is inserted into a send to field of the text message. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the selective call feature acknowledgment message is a text message. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: receive a selective call feature cancellation message addressed to the feature configuration address associated with the first communication device, the selective call feature cancellation message indicating that a selective call feature is to be disabled; and in response to receiving the selective call feature cancellation message, disable the selective call feature indicated by the selective call feature cancellation message for the first communication device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to: send a cancellation acknowledgment message, the cancellation acknowledgment message indicating that the selective call feature is disabled for the first communication device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the selective call feature request message includes a selective call forwarding command, a phone number associated with an incoming caller to which selective call forwarding is to be applied, and a phone number to which calls from the incoming caller are to be forwarded. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the selective call feature request message includes a selective call rejection command and a phone number associated with an incoming caller to which selective call rejection is to be applied. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the selective call feature request message includes a selective call acceptance command and a phone number associated with an incoming caller to which selective call acceptance is to be applied. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the at least one non-alphanumerical distinguishing character is located at the end of the selective call feature request message.