Methods and systems for touch-free call handling

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing a program element for execution by a functional unit of a network entity to enable handling incoming calls destined for a called party, the called party being associated with a communication device, the network entity being connected to the communication device via a communications network, the program element including:

• program code means for detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party;
• program code means for attempting to reach the called party by sending a signal to the communication device over the communications network to cause the communication device to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party;
• program code means for receiving a signal from the communication device:
• and
• program code means for determining, at the network entity, based on the signal received from the communication device, whether a spoken call handling command has been uttered at the communication device before the call being answered by the called party.

Apparatus for communication with a communication device associated with a called party via a communications network, the apparatus comprising:

• a controller adapted for detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party;
• and
• a voice-activated call handling functional unit adapted for:
• attempting to reach the called party by sending a signal to the communication device over the communications network to cause the communication device to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party;
• receiving a signal from the communication device;
• and
• determining, based on the signal received from the communication device, whether a spoken call handling command has been uttered at the communication device before the call being answered by the called party.

Network apparatus for touch-free incoming call handling by users of communication devices, the network apparatus comprising:

• a) a switching/routing entity configured to communicate with the communication devices over a communications network;
• and
• b) a controller configured to:
• detect an incoming call destined for a particular one of the communication devices that is associated with a particular one of the users;
• attempt to reach the particular user by sending a signal to the communication device over the communications network to cause the particular communication device to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the particular user;
• receive a signal from the particular communication device;
• determine, based on the signal received from the particular communication device, whether a spoken call handling command has been uttered at the particular communication device before the call being answered by the called party;
• and
• upon determining that a spoken call handling command has been uttered, handle the incoming call in accordance with the spoken call handling command.

A method of handling incoming calls destined for a called party, the called party being associated with a communication device, said method being implemented by a network entity connected to the communication device via a communications network, said method comprising:

• detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party;
• attempting to reach the called party by causing the communication device to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party;
• receiving a signal from the communication device;
• at the network entity, determining, based on the signal received from the communication device, whether a spoken call handling command has been uttered at the communication device before the call being answered by the called party;
• and
• determining whether the called party subscribes to a service that enables calls to be handled by the called party in a touch-free manner.