Abstract:
A method, system, and computer program for routing an incoming 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 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 the other wireless telecommunication device indicating that the other wireless telecommunication device is within the predefined proximity to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, then the call is rerouted to the other wireless telecommunication device.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    The present invention relates in general to telecommunications, and in particular to cellular phones. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to performing proximity based routing of a cellular phone call. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    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 
       [0005]    A method, system, and computer program for routing an incoming 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 short range wireless query signal is transmitted to determine if another 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 the other wireless telecommunication device indicating that the other wireless telecommunication device is within the predefined proximity to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, then the call is rerouted to the other wireless telecommunication device. 
         [0006]    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 
         [0007]    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: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a block diagram of a data processing system in which the present invention may be implemented; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2 . is a block diagram of an exemplary system for routing a phone call; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 3 . is a high-level logical flowchart of an exemplary set of steps performed to re-route a phone call. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0011]    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 mouse  120 , a Compact Disk-Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) drive  122 , a floppy disk drive  124 , and a flash drive memory  126 . 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. 
         [0012]    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  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 . 
         [0013]    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 . 
         [0014]    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, mouse, 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. 
         [0015]    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. 
         [0016]    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 . 
         [0017]    Application programs  144  in computer  102 &#39;s system memory (as well as software deploying server  150 &#39;s system memory) also include a Call 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 . 
         [0018]    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. 
         [0019]    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 . 
         [0020]    Note also the architecture shown in  FIG. 1  for computer  102  may be substantially implemented in Caller Telecommunication Device (CTD)  202 , Host Carrier  204 , Intended Recipient Wireless Telecommunication Device (IRWTD)  206 , Proximate Telecommunication Devices (PTDs)  208   a - n , and computer  210  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 wireless 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 host carrier (e.g., host carrier  204  shown below in  FIG. 2 ). 
         [0021]    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 Assistant Device (PDA), etc.) connected to Host Carrier  204  initiates a voice call to an Intended Recipient 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 for routing the voice call if IRWTD&#39;s  206  ringer is “off” or if the user of the IRWTD  206  is otherwise unavailable. 
         [0022]    When the user of IRWTD  206  is unavailable or IRWTD&#39;s  206  ringer is “off,” 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. Using preferences established on software (e.g., CRL  148  depicted in  FIG. 1 ) of CTD  202  and/or IRWTD  206 , when IRWTD  206  is unavailable to receive an incoming call from CTD  202 , additional options are available to reroute the voice call to a selected one of the Proximate Telecommunication Devices (PTDs)  208   a - n  (where “n” is an integer), or to send a text notification to a Computer  210 . 
         [0023]    When it is desired (according to predetermined preferences set by the user of IRWTD  206 ) that rerouting of an incoming voice call is preferred to a text notification, CTD  202  routes the incoming voice call to a phone selected from PTDs  208   a - n  according to a contact list  207  located within IRWTD  206 . This is accomplished using software internal to IRWTD  206  (e.g., CRL  148 ) that autonomously utilizes a hardware based wireless technology internal to IRWTD  206 , such as a short-range radio or infrared signal, to determine if any PTDs  208   a - n  within a contact list  207  (stored within IRWTD  206 ) are within a physically proximate short range of IRWTD  206 , and are available to receive the incoming voice call. 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 IRWTD  207  and one or more of the PTDs  208   a - n  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 PTD  208 . If one of the PTDs  208   a - n  is in close proximity to IRWTD  206 , and is available to receive a call, the voice call is routed directly to one of the PTDs  208   a - n  in proximate range. If more than one of the PTDs  208   a - n  is in range, software internal to IRWTD  206  (e.g., CRL  148 ) allows a user to select the desired recipient (from PTDs  208   a - n ) of the voice call, or to automatically route the voice call based on information preferences internal to IRWTD  206  and the target PTDs  208   a - n , in addition to usage information, such as battery strength or signal strength. That is, self-monitoring processes controlled by CRL  148  within IRWTD  206  and/or PTDs  208   a - n  determine which of the PTDs  208   a - n  is a best candidate for receiving the re-routed phone call, based on which user is associated with a particular PTD  208 , what the current battery strength of a particular PTD  208  is in present time, etc. 
         [0024]    If the re-routing of the voice call from IRWTD  206  to one of the PTDs  208   a - n  should fail, software (e.g., CRL  148 ) internal to CTD  202  and IRWTD  206  determines if another routing attempt should be made. Preferences in CTD  202  and IRWTD  206  software can be utilized to limit call routing attempts to a specific number. For example, if routing of the call from the IRWTD  206  to one of the PTDs  208   a - n  fails after trying to re-route the call to three different PTDs from PTDs  208   a - n , then a voicemail may be left for IRWTD  206  (i.e., a voicemail may be stored with the host carrier  204 ). 
         [0025]    Software (e.g., CRL  148 ) internal to CTD  202 , IRWTD  206 , PTDs  208   a - n  allows a user to establish additional preferences related to the call routing. These preferences can be stored on CTD  202 , IRWTD  206 , PTDs  208 , and/or on Host Carrier  204 . Some examples of such preferences include routing lists as well as preferences regarding battery strength or signal strength. Routing lists may be organized based on the priority of the contacts as determined by the end user. Routing lists may contain contacts that calls should always or never be routed to, or lists that enable the device to automatically accept or decline incoming routing attempts from specific contacts or groups of contacts known or unknown to the device. For example, a routing preference (which in one embodiment is set by the user of IRWTD  206 ) may state that if a call comes from “Caller A” (as identified by a caller identification associated with the incoming call), then that call should be sent to PTD  208   a  or  208   b , but never to PTD  208   n . Preferences within CTD  202 , IRWTD  206 , PTDs  208   a - n  also allow a user to automatically re-route calls when battery life in IRWTD  206  and/or an initial one of the PTDs  208   a - n  is low, or when a weak signal is detected. For example, one of the preferences may state that if IRWTD  206  detects that PTD  208   a  has a low battery and/or a weak signal, then other PTDs  208   b - n  are polled until one of sufficient battery and signal strength (as well as authorization) is located. The call will then be automatically re-routed to the PTD  208  that meets the requisite conditions (e.g., strong battery, strong signal strength with the IRWTD  206 , authorized to take the call from “Caller A,” etc.) 
         [0026]    Additionally, software (e.g., CRL  148 ) internal to PTDs  208   a - n  may enable the PTDs  208   a - n  to differentiate a re-routed voice call from a normal voice call by utilizing unique aural, visual, or tactile signals to the user. PTDs  208   a - n  may audibly signal the user of an incoming re-routed voice call by using methods such as playing a unique sound effect or a specific ring tone. PTDs  208   a - n  may visually signal the user of an incoming re-routed voice call by using methods such as flashing a specific service light color or pattern of colors, or by displaying caller identifying information of CTD  202  and IRWTD  206  on the screen. PTD  208   a - n  may also use a vibration function or a specific vibration pulse pattern to signal the user of an incoming re-routed voice call. Thus, these unique aural and/or visual cues alert a user of one of the PTDs  208   a - n  that the incoming call was intended for the user of IRWTD  206 , but has been re-routed to the user of that PTD  208 . Therefore, when the user of that PTD  208  answers the call, he will be forewarned that the caller is likely to be expecting the user of IRWTD  206  to have answered the call. 
         [0027]    When user input or preferences internal to CTD  202  or IRWTD  206  specify that call routing is not desired, a text notification message with critical information concerning the incoming call can be transmitted to computer  210 . This text based message may or may not be used in conjunction with a voice mail message that is left and stored on the host carrier  204  as described above. The text notification message contains information such as a phone number and contact information for CTD  202  and IRWTD  206 , as well as date and time stamp information of the voice call. Additionally, utilizing voice-to-text software common to CTD  202 , IRWTD  206 , and/or computer  210 , the user may choose to leave a text notification message containing a voice-to-text translation of a voice message left by the user (and stored with host carrier  204 ). Computer  210  is a telecommunication device, a personal computer, or a combination of any number of telecommunication devices or personal computers. The text notification message can be presented in such means as an e-mail, an instant message, a short message service (SMS) message, or as posted text on an internet portal. 
         [0028]    With reference now to  FIG. 3 , a high-level logical flowchart of an exemplary set of steps performed to route a phone call is presented. After initiator block  300 , a voice call is initiated from a Caller Telecommunication Device (CTD) to an Intended Recipient 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 picked up and the process ends at terminator block  330 . When IRWTD is not available, a user input or software common to the CTD and the IRWTD identifies a user&#39;s preference for the type of routing desired, if a text notification message is to be generated, assuming that rerouting and/or processing of the voice call is desired and appropriate (block  306 ). 
         [0029]    As shown at query block  306 , if a text notification message for the incoming call is desired, based on user input and preferences internal to the CTD and the IRWTD, the IRWTD determines if any preferred Proximate Telecommunication Devices (PTDs) are within am predefined proximity of the IRWTD (block  308 ). The term “predefined proximity” is defined as the distance between the IRWTD and a PTD in which local wireless communication is possible without the use of an intervening network or carrier. That is, the term “predefined proximity” is defined as a distance within which the IRWTD and PTD can directly communicate using local electromagnetic signals (including radio, infrared, secure PAN, etc.) to directly communicate between one another. 
         [0030]    A text notification message contains a date stamp, a time stamp, caller information, intended recipient contact information, and/or a voice-to-text message. This text notification message is sent to any preferred PTDs in proximate range of IRWTD and/or one or more remote computers as determined by software internal to IRWTD (block  310 ). The process terminates at block  330 . 
         [0031]    Returning to query block  306 , if voice call rerouting is desired (instead of or in addition to creating the text message describe above), based on user input and preferences internal to the CTD and the IRWTD, the IRWTD determines if any preferred Proximate Telecommunication Devices (PTDs) are within the predefined proximity (as defined above) to the IRWTD (query block  312 ). If no preferred PTD(s) are within the predefined proximity to IRWTD, a voicemail is left with the host carrier for the IRWTD (block  314 ). The process terminates at block  332 . 
         [0032]    Returning to query block  312 , if a preferred PTD(s) is within physical proximity to the IRWTD, the IRWTD next determines if a first PTD is available (block  316 ). PTD priority is determined by preferences internal to the CTD, the IRWTD, and the PTD, and can also be determined by factors such as signal strength and battery strength within one or more of these devices. If the first PTD is available the voice call is routed to that first PTD (block  318 ), and the process terminates at block  332 . However, if the first preferred PTD is unavailable, then software internal to the IRWTD and the CTD determines if the maximum call routing attempts have been made (block  320 ). If another call route attempt is desired based upon user input, and the number of routing attempts performed is still less than the maximum allowed, then the process loops back to query block  312  in an iterative manner to determine if there are other PTD devices in proximity to the IRWTD (block  312 ). If another call route attempt is not to be performed (i.e., the number of authorized attempts has been reached), then a voicemail is left with the IRWTD (block  322 ), and the process terminates at block  332 . 
         [0033]    Although aspects of the present invention have been described with respect to a computer processor and software, 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 signal-bearing media, which include, without limitation, non-writable storage media (e.g. CD-ROM), writable storage media (e.g. a floppy diskette, hard disk drive, read/write CD-ROM, optical media), and communication media, such as computer and telephone networks including Ethernet. It should be understood, therefore, that such signal-bearing media, when carrying or encoding 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. 
         [0034]    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.