COMMUNICATION DEVICE AND METHOD FOR PERFORMING CALL TRANSFER FUNCTION

A method for transferring a call from a callee device to a call-transfer device. The method includes providing transfer information. The transfer information records at least one ID of the callee device, an information of at least one call-transfer device which is allowed to receive the call transferred from the callee device. Then, responding to a call request from a caller device and selecting at least one call-transfer device according to the transfer information. And transferring the call to the selected call-transfer device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1shows an embodiment of a communication system100. The communication system100includes a communication network10and a number of communication devices communicating with each other via the communication network10, hereinafter, a caller device20, a callee device30, and a number of call-transfer devices40. The term “caller” herein is used to indicate a user who initiates a telephone call, whereas “callee” indicates an intended recipient of the telephone call. The caller device20, the callee device30, and the call-transfer devices40(including401,402,403and404) may be any type of electronic devices capable of telecommunicating with communication network10, such as a fixed phone, a computer or a mobile phone. Each device20,30,40can initiate a telephone call, and can also act as an intended recipient of the telephone call. Each device20,30,40includes a microphone, a speaker, a display (not shown).

FIG. 2shows that the callee device30includes an input unit110, a communication unit120, a storage unit170, and a processor unit180.

The input unit110responds to manual input to generate various control commands. The input unit110may be buttons of the callee device30, or a remote control capable of remotely controlling the callee device30.

The communication unit120receives a call request from the caller device20. The call request includes at least an ID (Identify) of the caller device20. When the callee device30initiates a telephone call, namely, the callee devices30functions as a caller, the communication120transmits a call request including an ID thereof to the intended callee device.

The storage unit170stores a transfer system200including a number of modules. In the embodiment, the transfer system200includes a transfer-device selecting module130, a transferring module140, a transfer-interface building module150, and a transfer-information managing module160. The processing unit180executes the number of modules of the transfer system200to perform functions of the device100. The storage unit170further stores a transfer information. The transfer information records at least one ID of a callee device30, an information of each call-transfer device40which is allowed to receive the telephone call transferred from the callee device30. In addition, a password for allowing each call-transfer device40to receive the telephone call, and a desired telephone call which the call-transfer devices40are allowed to receive. The information of each call-transfer device40includes a name, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a location, and a permission time period for allowing receipt of the telephone call.

The transfer-device selecting module130responds to the call request from the caller device20, and selects one or more call-transfer devices40which are allowed to receive the telephone call transferred from the callee device30according to the transfer information. The transfer-device selecting module130further informs the transfer module140of the selected call-transfer devices40and the password for allowing the call-transfer devices40to receive the telephone call.

The transfer module140responds to the information from the transfer-device selecting module130and transmits a transfer request to the communication network10via the communication unit120. The transfer request includes the selected call-transfer devices40and the password for allowing the call-transfer devices40to receive the telephone call. The communication network10responds to the transfer request and transfers the telephone call to the selected call-transfer devices40. As a result, the telephone call can be transferred to the intended call-transfer devices40.

The transfer-interface building module150builds a visual transfer-interface300(seeFIG. 3) for guiding the user to edit the transfer information.FIG. 3shows that the transfer-interface300includes a background, a transfer-information list, a cursor, and a number of options for building the transfer information.

The transfer-information managing module160responds to manual input to allow the user to edit the transfer information, for example, add, or delete the transfer information.FIG. 3shows that to set intended call-transfer devices40for a callee device30having ID XXXXXX, the cursor is first moved to implement a new-add menu or option. The transfer-interface building module150builds a void transfer information list allowing the user to set one or more intended call-transfer devices40corresponding to the callee device30having ID XXXXXX. Thus, the user can set the permission time period, the password and the predetermined call allowing the set call-transfer devices40to receive the telephone call.FIG. 1shows that the available call-transfer devices include a desktop computer401located at, say, the office, a television (TV)402and a notebook computer403located at home, and a navigation device404in the car. Generally, the user will be in the office between 08:00-17:30, and will be in the car to after leaving the office between 17:30-19:00, and will watch TV402or use the notebook computer403during 19:00˜22:30. Thus, the permission time period of the desktop computer401is set to be between 08:00-17:30, the permission time period of the navigation device404is set to be between 17:30-19:00, and the permission time period of the TV402and the notebook computer403is set to be between 19:00-22:30. As a result, the user can flexibly schedule the permission time period of the call-transfer devices40.

Furthermore, in a certain occasion, for example, in a common office, a password is assigned to the call-transfer device (desktop computer401), to authenticate the person when he or she receives the telephone call and to prevent another person from receiving the telephone call transferred form the callee device30. Each call-transfer device40can also be assigned to receive a desired telephone calls. For example, the TV402and the notebook computer403are assigned to receive telephone calls from family and friends during the permission time period, to prevent the user from being interrupted at work.

FIG. 4shows an embodiment of a flowchart of a method for transferring a telephone call. The method is applied to the communication system100. The method includes the following steps:

In step S410, providing transfer information. The transfer information records at least one ID of the callee device30, information of each call-transfer device40which is allowed to receive the telephone call transferred from the callee device30. In addition, a password for allowing each call-transfer device40to receive the telephone call, and a desired call which the call-transfer devices40are allowed to receive. The information of each call-transfer device40includes a name, an IP (Internet Protocol) address, a location, and a permission time period for allowing receipt of the telephone call.

In step S420, the callee device30responds to the call request from the caller device20, and selects one or more call-transfer devices40, which are allowed to receive the telephone call transferred from the callee device30according to the transfer information.

In step S430, the callee device30transmits a transfer request to the communication network10via the communication unit120. The transfer request includes the selected call-transfer devices40and the password for allowing the call-transfer devices40to receive the telephone call.

In step S440, the communication network10responds to the transfer request and transfers the telephone call to the selected call-transfer devices40.

In step S450, the communication network10further determines whether the person answering the call-transfer device40is authenticated. When the person answering the call-transfer device40is not authenticated, the procedure ends. When the person answering the call-transfer device40is authenticated, the procedure goes to step S460.

In step S460, the telephone call transferred from callee device30to the call-transfer devices40is allowed to be answered.