Patent ID: 8868043
Filing Date: 2014-10-21
Classification: H04L,H04M

Abstract:
1. A method for processing an incoming call from a caller for a called mobile station subscriber, the method comprising the steps of: (a) receiving the incoming call from the caller for the called mobile station in a mobile telephone communication network having a plurality of base stations interfaced for wireless communications with a plurality of mobile stations, a voicemail system for providing voicemail service for users of the mobile stations and a call feature server, separate from the voicemail system, wherein the call feature server: maintains settings of a do-not-disturb call interception feature that are preset by the called mobile station subscriber, and stores first and second redetermined messages that are re-selected or pre-recorded by the called mobile station subscriber; (b) in response to the incoming call, determining whether the do-not-disturb call interception feature is active with respect to the called mobile station by query to a home location register coupled to the mobile telephone communication network and having stored therein identification of mobile stations subscribed to the do-not-disturb call interception feature; (c) responsive to the do-not-disturb call interception feature being active with respect to the called mobile station, establishing a call path through the network to the call feature server; (d) determining which of the first and second predetermined messages to send to the caller in accordance with the settings preset by the called mobile station subscriber in the call feature server; (e) responsive to the determining step (d), transmitting the first predetermined message or the second predetermined message from the call feature server through the network to the caller; and (f) disconnecting the incoming call from the caller without establishing a call leg through the network to the called mobile station, so that the mobile station of the subscriber will not ring or otherwise receive any normal notice at the time of the incoming call, and without establishing a call leg for the incoming call through the network to between the caller and the voicemail system which serves the called mobile station subscriber.