Abstract:
A method, system, and computer program for routing an outgoing voice call in real time is presented. A call is received from a caller to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the call failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, a caller initiated short range wireless query signal is transmitted to determine if an other wireless communication device is within a predefined proximity to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. If the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device receives a response from an other proximate telecommunication device indicating that the proximate telecommunication device is within the predefined proximity to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, then the call is rerouted to the proximate telecommunication device based on preferences internal to the caller telecommunication device. These preferences may be stored on the caller telecommunication device or remotely stored on the host carrier network.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present invention relates in general to telecommunications, and in particular to cellular phones. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to performing caller based routing of a phone call based on preferences of the caller telecommunication device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Cellular (cell) phones have become a ubiquitous aid in allowing a person to be constantly accessible. However, there are times when a person may not desire, or may be unable, to take an incoming call. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A method, system, and computer program for routing an outgoing voice call in real time is presented. A call is received from a caller to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the call failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, a caller initiated short range wireless query signal is transmitted to determine if an other wireless communication device is within a predefined proximity to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. If the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device receives a response from an other proximate telecommunication device indicating that the proximate telecommunication device is within the predefined proximity to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, then the call is rerouted to the proximate telecommunication device based on preferences internal to the caller telecommunication device. These preferences may be stored on the caller telecommunication device or remotely stored on the host carrier network. 
     The above as well as additional objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed written description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed descriptions of an illustrative embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented; 
         FIG. 2 . is a block diagram of an exemplary system for performing caller based routing of a phone call; and 
         FIG. 3 . is a high-level logical flowchart of an exemplary set of steps performed while performing caller based re-routing of an outgoing communication. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to  FIG. 1 , there is depicted a block diagram of an exemplary computer  102  in which the present invention may be implemented. Computer  102  includes one or more processors  104  that are coupled to a system bus  106 . A video adapter  108 , which drives/supports a display  110 , is also coupled to system bus  106 . System bus  106  is coupled via a bus bridge  112  to an Input/Output (I/O) bus  114 . An I/O interface  116  is coupled to I/O bus  114 . I/O interface  116  affords communication with various I/O devices, including a keyboard  118 , a Short Range Wireless Transceiver  120 , a Compact Disk-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) drive  122 , a floppy disk drive  124 , and a flash drive memory  126 . Keyboard  118  may be a standard keyboard (e.g., QWERTY style or similar), or a condensed alphanumeric keypad. The format of the ports connected to I/O interface  116  may be any known to those skilled in the art of computer architecture, including but not limited to Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. Short Range Wireless Transceiver  120  utilizes short range wireless electromagnetic signals (e.g. wireless spread spectrum, radio frequency (RF), inferred (IR), etc) to allow Computer  102  to transmit or receive voice or data with another telecommunication device. 
     Computer  102  is able to communicate with a software deploying server  150  via a network  128  using a network interface  130 , which is coupled to system bus  106 . Network interface  130  may utilize a wired, or a wireless technology such as a cellular broadcast to connect with Network  128 . Network  128  may be an external network such as the Internet, or an internal network such as an Ethernet or a Virtual Private Network (VPN). Note the software deploying server  150  may utilize a same or substantially similar architecture as computer  102 . 
     A hard drive interface  132  is also coupled to system bus  106 . Hard drive interface  132  interfaces with a hard drive  134 . In a preferred embodiment, hard drive  134  populates a system memory  136 , which is also coupled to system bus  106 . System memory is defined as a lowest level of volatile memory in computer  102 . This volatile memory includes additional higher levels of volatile memory (not shown), including, but not limited to, cache memory, registers and buffers. Data that populates system memory  136  includes computer  102 &#39;s operating system (OS)  138  and application programs  144 . 
     OS  138  includes a shell  140 , for providing transparent user access to resources such as application programs  144 . Generally, shell  140  is a program that provides an interpreter and an interface between the user and the operating system. More specifically, shell  140  executes commands that are entered into a command line user interface or from a file. Thus, shell  140  (also called a command processor) is generally the highest level of the operating system software hierarchy and serves as a command interpreter. The shell provides a system prompt, interprets commands entered by keyboard or other user input media, and sends the interpreted command(s) to the appropriate lower levels of the operating system (e.g., a kernel  142 ) for processing. Note that while shell  140  is a text-based, line-oriented user interface, the present invention will equally well support other user interface modes, such as graphical, voice, gestural, etc. 
     As depicted, OS  138  also includes kernel  142 , which includes lower levels of functionality for OS  138 , including providing essential services required by other parts of OS  138  and application programs  144 , including memory management, process and task management, disk management, and mouse and keyboard management. 
     Application programs  144  include a browser  146 . Browser  146  includes program modules and instructions enabling a World Wide Web (WWW) client (e.g., computer  102 ) to send and receive network messages to the Internet using HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP) messaging, thus enabling communication with software deploying server  150 . 
     Application programs  144  in computer  102 &#39;s system memory (as well as software deploying server  150 &#39;s system memory) also include a Caller Routing Logic (CRL)  148 . CRL  148  includes code for implementing the processes described in  FIGS. 2-3 . In one embodiment, computer  102  is able to download CRL  148  from software deploying server  150 , including in an “on demand” basis, as described in greater detail below in  FIGS. 2-3 . 
     The hardware elements depicted in computer  102  are not intended to be exhaustive, but rather are representative to highlight essential components required by the present invention. For instance, computer  102  may include alternate memory storage devices such as magnetic cassettes, Digital Versatile Disks (DVDs), Bernoulli cartridges, and the like. These and other variations are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Note further that, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, software deploying server  150  performs all of the functions associated with the present invention (including execution of CRL  148 ), thus freeing computer  102  from having to use its own internal computing resources to execute CRL  148 . 
     Note also the architecture shown in  FIG. 1  for computer  102  may be substantially implemented in Caller Telecommunication Device (CTD)  202 , Common Host Carrier  204 , Intended Receiving Wireless Telecommunication Device (IRWTD)  206 , and Proximate Telecommunication Devices (PTDs)  208   a - n  shown below in  FIG. 2 . That is, although CTD  202 , IRWTD  206  and PTDs  208   a - n  are described as cellular phones, by including a telecommunications transceiver  152  in the architecture of computer  102 , the appropriate elements illustrated as components of computer  102  can operate as a “smart” phone that communicates with a wireless host carrier (e.g., host carrier  204  shown below in  FIG. 2 ), or a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) system. Additionally, by including a Short Range Wireless Transceiver  120  in the architecture of computer  102 , the appropriate elements illustrated as components of computer  102  can operate as an “ad-hoc” network device that communicates with another telecommunication device within a wireless short range proximity to computer  102  (e.g., Proximate Telecommunication Devices (PTDs)  208   a - n  shown below in  FIG. 2 ). 
     With reference now to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of the routing system used in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is presented. A Caller Telecommunication Device (CTD)  202  (e.g., a cell phone, a Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) land line, a cell-capable Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), etc.) connected to Host Carrier  204  initiates a voice call to an Intended Receiving Wireless Telecommunication Device (IRWTD)  206 . Host Carrier  204  is a remote service host such as a cellular service provider that is remotely connected to both CTD  202  and IRWTD  206 . If IRWTD&#39;s  206  ringer is “on”, and thus the called user is available, the voice call will be connected. As described below, however, in the present invention, several options are available when IRWTD  206  is otherwise unavailable for routing the voice call if IRWTD  206  has a configured routing profile stored locally on the device, or alternatively stored on Host Carrier  204 . 
     When the user of IRWTD  206  is unavailable, a first routing option is for the caller who is using CTD  202  to leave a voicemail message, which will be retrievable when IRWTD  206  is either turned back on or the user becomes available. However, if the user of CTD  202  desires, the communication may be re-routed from IRWTD  206  to one or more Proximate Telecommunication Devices (PTDs)  208   a - n  based on user input. When CTD  202  initiates a call with IRWTD  206  and IRWTD  206  is unavailable, software internal to CTD  202  may initiate an instruction for a PTD  208  selected by CTD  202  to scan for IRWTD  206  within physically proximate short range when PTD  208  is configured for proximate device routing. This is accomplished using software internal to PTD  208  (e.g., CRL  148 ) that autonomously utilizes a hardware based wireless technology internal to PTDs  208   a - n , such as a short-range radio or infrared signal, to determine if IRWTD  206  is within a physically proximate short range of PTD  208 , and is available to receive the incoming voice call (e.g., Short Range Wireless Transceiver  120 ). Optionally, an unlicensed secure wireless personal area network (PAN), may be implemented for wireless transmission. The short range of the device is the maximum range of communication available between the selected PTD  208  and IRWTD  206  without the use of a network carrier service (e.g., a cell phone carrier service), and is further determined by the internal wireless technology common to IRWTD  206  and the selected PTD  208 . The user of CTD  202  may re-route communication intended for IRWTD  206  to a PTD  208   a - n  based on user selection, specialized routing lists, or automatically based on successes and failures of past communication routing attempts. 
     Automatic routing of a communication utilizes statistical data stored on the CTD  202  device of past successes and failures of communication re-routing attempts from the CTD  202  device to an alternate communication device, to determine a desired PTD  208   a - n  recipient. When automatic re-routing is performed CTD will initiate a short range proximate scan of PTDs  208   a - n  for the presence of IRWTD  206 . Utilizing the data returned from PTDs  208   a - n  of all PTDs  208   a - n  within physical short range proximity of IRWTD  206 , CTD  202  will autonomously select the first available PTD  208   a - n  with the highest success rate of communication routing based on past re-routing attempts. The communication is then re-routed from IRWTD  206  to the desired PTD  208   a - n.    
     Alternatively, when automatic routing of a communication should fail to route the communication, is not desired by the user, or is unavailable due to the absence of past routing data, the user of CTD  202  may manually select a desired PTD  208   a - n  within short range proximity of IRWTD  206  as the recipient of the communication. Upon the caller initializing the manual re-routing of the outgoing communication, CTD transmits an instruction to PTDs  208   a - n  to scan for the presence of IRWTD  206  within short range proximity. PTDs  208   a - n  within short range proximity then respond back to CTD  202  and the responses are presented on the user interface of CTD  202 . The user of CTD  202  can then choose to select a PTD  208  from the list returned or to leave a voicemail message, which will be retrievable when the user of IRWTD  206  becomes available. While the user of CTD  202  is determining a desired PTD  208  as the recipient of the re-routed communication, the user interface of CTD  202  may also display information of the PTDs  208   a - n  within short range of IRWTD  206  such as statistical information of past successes and failures of routing to a specific PTD  208 , or current operational conditions of a PTD  208  (e.g., strong battery, strong signal strength with the IRWTD  206 , authorized to take the call from “Caller A,” etc.) 
     When it is desired to route the outgoing communication based on a smart routing list the user of CTD  202  may select a specific routing smart list on the user interface of CTD  202 . Upon the caller initializing the manual routing of the outgoing communication, CTD transmits an instruction to PTDs  208   a - n  to scan for the presence of IRWTD  206  within short range proximity. PTDs  208   a - n  within short range proximity then respond to CTD  202  providing information regarding proximity to IRWTD  206  along with operation conditions of the PTD  208  (e.g., strong battery, strong signal strength with the IRWTD  206 , authorized to take the call from “Caller A,” etc). From this information software internal to CTD  202  (e.g., CRL  148 ), may re-route the outgoing communication to the first available PTD  208   a - n  in short range proximity of IRWTD  206  based on the smart routing list selected by the user. Smart routing list options may include such options as “Route to first PTD identified as a family member”, “Route to first PTD with highest battery life remaining”, etc. 
     The smart routing lists also allow for the communication to be re-routed to the first PTD to answer the outgoing communication. In this option CTD  202  simultaneously initiates routing with all PTDs  208   a - n  or to a specific group of PTDs  208   a - n  as selected by the user of CTD  202 , within short range proximity of IRWTD  206 . In this event, when a first PTD  208   a  answers the re-routed communication the communication request is autonomously terminated with all other PTDs  208   b - n.    
     The user of CTD  202  may also initiate routing to a PTD  208   a - n  that is a subscriber of the same Host Carrier  204 . Upon initiating the scan for a PTD  208  within short range proximity of IRWTD  206 , the user interface of CTD  202  may display an indicator illustrating which available PTDs  208   a - n  are subscribers to the same Host Carrier  204  as CTD  202 . Upon the user selecting a desired PTD  208   a - n  as the recipient of the communication, software internal to CTD  202  (e.g., CRL  148 ), may re-route the outgoing communication to the desired PTD  208   a - n  in short range proximity of IRWTD  206 , based on the desired PTDs  208   a - n  being a subscriber to the same Host Carrier  204  as CTD  202 . Additionally, the recipient may be autonomously selected by software internal to CTD  202  (e.g., CRL  148 ). 
     Note further that, following every routing attempt by CTD  202 , the statistical data of successful and unsuccessful routing attempts is updated on CTD  202 . 
     With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a high-level logical flowchart of an exemplary set of steps performed to route a phone call based on caller input is presented. After initiator block  300 , a communication is initiated from a Caller Telecommunication Device (CTD) to an Intended Receiving Wireless Telecommunication Device (IRWTD) (block  302 ). It is then determined by the Host Carrier if the IRWTD is available (block  304 ). If IRWTD is available, the call is completed and the process ends at terminator block  340 . When IRWTD is not available, the CTD prompts the caller to decide if automatic or manual re-routing of the communication is desired and appropriate (block  306 ). 
     When manual routing of an outgoing communication is desired, based on user input to the user interface of CTD, the CTD will display potential contacts to receive the outgoing communication along with historical data of past communication re-routing success rates for these contacts (block  308 ). The user can then use this information to decide whether or not to proceed with routing the outgoing communication by selecting a desired recipient (block  310 ). In query block  312  a caller initiates the re-routing by selecting the desired contact or smart routing list as recipient of the outgoing communication, or chooses not to re-route the outgoing communication because of no user input within a specified amount of time, or based on user preference not to route the communication. If the user of CTD does not initiate the re-routing command the process ends at terminator block  330 . When the user of CTD initiates a re-routing command by selecting a desired recipient device from the contact list, CTD transmits an instruction to the PTD to scan for the presence of IRWTD within the short range proximity (block  314 ). Software internal to the PTD then determines if the desired PTD is within short range proximity of IRWTD (block  316 ). When IRWTD determines the desired recipient is not within short range proximity, then the process loops back to query block  310  in an iterative manner to prompt the user of CTD to select an alternate recipient device. If the desired recipient is a PTD within short range proximity of IRWTD, the communication is re-routed to the PTD (block  318 ). The software of CTD then autonomously updates the record of successes and failures (block  320 ), and the process terminates at block  330 . 
     When automatic re-routing of an outgoing communication is automatically attempted or selected, based on user input to the user interface of CTD, CTD autonomously selects an PTD based on historical data of past communication routing success and failures and transmits an instruction to the PTD to scan for the presence of IRWTD within the short range proximity (block  322 ). Software internal to the PTD then determines if the desired PTD is within short range proximity of IRWTD (block  324 ). If the desired recipient device is within short range proximity the communication is re-routed to the PTD (block  318 ). The software of CTD then autonomously updates the record of successes and failures (block  320 ), and the process terminates at block  330 . When the desired PTD is not within short range proximity of IRWTD and there are PTDs within short range proximity of IRWTD, then the process loops back to block  322  in an iterative manner where the software of CTD autonomously selects an alternate recipient device within short range proximity based on historical data of past communication routing success and failures (block  326 ). If the first attempt at automatically routing the outgoing communication fails and no PTDs are in range of IRWTD with past re-routing historical data, the process loops to block  310  and prompts the caller to manually select a desired recipient and initiate re-routing of the outgoing communication. 
     Although aspects of the present invention have been described with respect to a computer processor and program application/logic, it should be understood that at least some aspects of the present invention may alternatively be implemented as a program product for use with a data storage system or computer system. Programs defining functions of the present invention can be delivered to a data storage system or computer system via a variety of data storage media, which include, without limitation, non-writable storage media (e.g. CD-ROM), and writable storage media (e.g. network attached storages, hard disk drive, read/write CD-ROM, optical media). It should be understood, therefore, that such data storage media, when storing computer readable instructions that direct method functions of the present invention, represent alternative embodiments of the present invention. Further, it is understood that the present invention may be implemented by a system having means in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware as described herein or their equivalent. 
     Having thus described the invention of the present application in detail and by reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.