Source: https://brevets-patents.ic.gc.ca/opic-cipo/cpd/eng/patent/2695657/summary.html
Timestamp: 2020-01-28 23:43:53+00:00
Document Index: 246895219

Matched Legal Cases: ['arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40', 'arty 40']

Patent 2695657 Summary - Canadian Patents Database
Canadian Patents Database / Patent 2695657 Summary
(11) CA 2695657
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING CALLS IN AN ARCHITECTURE ALLOWING A TELEPHONY IDENTIFIER TO BE ASSOCIATED WITH A GROUP OF IDENTITIES
PROCEDE ET SYSTEME DE TRAITEMENT D'APPELS DANS UNE ARCHITECTURE PERMETTANT D'ASSOCIER UN IDENTIFIANT TELEPHONIQUE A UN GROUPE D'IDENTITES
WOLF, ERIC JOHN (Canada)
LESSARD, YANNICK (Canada)
ROGERS, DANICA (Canada)
ARCHER, NATHAN GERALD (Canada)
ARSENAULT, JONATHAN ALLAN (Canada)
NGUYEN, LUAN CAO TUONG (Canada)
BCE INC. (Not Available)
PCT/CA2007/002363
WO2009/082803
A system and a method for processing calls. The system comprises a database
including: a plurality of telephony
identifiers; and for each telephony identifier, information regarding a group
of persons that is associated with the telephony identifier,
each person of the group of persons being reachable by placing a call to the
telephony identifier, the information comprising, for
each person of the group of persons, information related to processing of
calls involving the person. The system also comprises a
processing element having access to the database and being operative for:
determining that a given call involves a particular person
of the group of persons that is associated with a given one of the telephony
identifiers; and processing the given call based on the
information related to processing of calls involving the particular person.
Also provided is a method for associating an additional
telephony identifier with one or more identities of a group of identities that
is associated with a telephony identifier, and a method
for associating an additional identity with a telephony identifier that is
associated with a group of identities.
L'invention porte sur un système et un procédé de traitement d'appels. Le système comprend une base de données comprenant : une pluralité d'identifiants téléphoniques ; et pour chaque identifiant téléphonique, des informations concernant un groupe de personnes qui est associé à l'identifiant téléphonique, chaque personne du groupe de personnes étant joignable pour passage d'un appel à l'identifiant téléphonique, les informations comprenant, pour chaque personne du groupe de personnes, des informations relatives au traitement d'appels impliquant la personne. Le système comprend également un élément de traitement ayant accès à la base de données et étant fonctionnel pour : déterminer qu'un appel donné implique une personne particulière du groupe de personnes qui est associé à l'un donné des identifiants téléphoniques ; et traiter l'appel donné sur la base des informations relatives au traitement d'appels impliquant la personne particulière. L'invention porte également sur un procédé pour associer un identifiant téléphonique supplémentaire à une ou plusieurs identités d'un groupe d'identités qui est associé à un identifiant téléphonique, et sur un procédé pour associer une identité supplémentaire à un identifiant téléphonique qui est associé à un groupe d'identités.
- a database including:
- a plurality of telephony identifiers; and
- for each telephony identifier, information regarding a group of
identities that is
associated with said telephony identifier, each identity of said group of
designating a party reachable by placing a call to said telephony identifier,
information comprising, for each identity of said group of identities,
related to processing of calls involving said identity, wherein for each
identifier, the party designated by a first identity of the group of
associated with said telephony identifier is a person and the party designated
second identity of the group of identities that is associated with said
identifier is a plurality of persons;
- a processing element having access to said database and being operative
- determining that a given call involves a particular identity of the group of
identities that is associated with a given one of the telephony identifiers;
- processing the given call based on the information related to
processing of calls
involving the particular identity.
2. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for each telephony identifier, the
designated by a first identity of the group of identities that is associated
telephony identifier is a first person and the party designated by a second
group of identities that is associated with said telephony identifier is a
3. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for each telephony identifier, the
telephony identifier and the party designated by a second identity of the
identities that is associated with said telephony identifier is a common
4. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the telephony identifiers
5. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for each telephony identifier and
identity of said group of identities that is associated with said telephony
information related to processing of calls involving said identity further
information identifying a communication device associated with said identity.
6. A system as claimed in claim 5, wherein, for each telephony identifier and
information identifying a communication device associated with said identity
hidden identifier identifying said communication device.
7. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for each telephony identifier and
information indicative of at least one operation to perform to process calls
intended for or
originated by said identity further relates to at least one telephony feature.
8. A system as claimed in claim 7, wherein the at least one telephony feature
least one of a call forwarding feature, a selective call forwarding feature, a
no-answer call
forwarding feature, a find me/follow me call forwarding feature, a distinctive
feature, a selective call rejection feature, a selective call acceptance
feature, a call waiting
feature, a distinctive ringing call waiting feature, a calling line
identification displaying
feature, a calling line identification blocking feature, a speed calling
feature, and an
outgoing call barring feature.
9. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said database includes, for each
identifier and for each identity of said group of identities that is
telephony identifier, contact information regarding at least one contact
said identity.
10. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said determining comprises
given call is intended for the particular identity and said processing the
comprises causing routing of the given call based on the information related
of calls involving the particular identity.
11. A system as claimed in claim 10, wherein the information related to
involving the particular identity further comprises information identifying a
communication device associated with the particular identity, said causing
comprising causing routing of the given call to the communication device.
12. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information related to
communication device associated with the particular identity, said determining
determining that the given call is originated by the particular identity based
communication device being used to originate the given call.
13. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said determining comprises
given call is originated by the particular identity based on a signal produced
communication device used to originate the given call.
14. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the signal conveys at least one
dual-tone multi-
frequency tone serving to identify the particular identity.
15. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the signal conveys at least one
spoken by the party designated by the particular identity when originating the
given call.
16. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one utterance
specifies an identifier
of the particular identity.
17. A system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the at least one utterance has
characteristics corresponding to a voiceprint of the party designated by the
18. A system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the signal is produced in
designated by the particular identity pressing on at least one button of the
device dedicated to identification of the particular identity.
19. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said determining comprises
given call is originated by the particular identity and said processing the
comprises causing presentation of information identifying the particular
identity at a
communication device receiving the given call.
20. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said determining comprises
comprises enabling the party designated by the particular identity to use
information regarding at least one contact associated with the particular
identity in order
to specify a destination of the given call.
21. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the information related to
involving the particular identity further comprises information regarding at
telephony feature applicable to outgoing calls, and wherein said determining
determining that the given call is originated by the particular identity and
the given call comprises causing application of the at least one telephony
applicable to outgoing calls.
22. A system as claimed in claim 21, wherein the at least one telephony
feature applicable to
outgoing calls includes at least one of: a speed calling feature, a caller
blocking feature, and an outgoing call barring feature.
23. A system as claimed in claim 1, wherein, for each telephony identifier and
identity of said group of identifiers that is associated with said telephony
information related to processing of calls involving said identity comprises
indicative of at least one operation to perform to process calls intended for
by said identity.
24. A system as claimed in claim 23, wherein, for each telephony identifier
identity of said group of identifies that is associated with said telephony
information indicative of at least one operation to perform process calls
originated by said identity defines at least one call processing rule.
25. A method for processing calls, said method comprising:
- maintaining a database including:
is associated with said telephony identifier, each identity of said group of
identities designating a party reachable by placing a call to said telephony
identifier, said information comprising, for each identity of said group of
identities, information related to processing of calls involving said
wherein for each telephony identifier, the party designated by a first
of the group of identities that is associated with said telephony identifier
person and the party designated by a second identity of the group of
that is associated with said telephony identifier is a plurality of persons;
- determining that a given call involves a particular identity of the group
that is associated with a given one of the telephony identifiers; and
- processing the given call based on the information related to processing
26. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein, for each telephony identifier,
27. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein, for each telephony identifier,
28. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein each of the telephony identifiers
29. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein, for each telephony identifier
30. A method as claimed in claim 29, wherein, for each telephony identifier
31. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein, for each telephony identifier
32. A method as claimed in claim 31, wherein the at least one telephony
feature includes at
least one of: a call forwarding feature, a selective call forwarding feature,
a no-answer
call forwarding feature, a find me/follow me call forwarding feature, a
33. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein said database includes, for each
34. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein said determining comprises
the given call is intended for the particular identity and said processing the
35. A method as claimed, in claim 34, wherein the information related to
36. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the information related to
37. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein said determining comprises
the given call is originated by the particular identity based on a signal
38. A method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the signal conveys at least one
multi-frequency tone serving to identify the particular identity.
39. A method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the signal conveys at least one
40. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the at least one utterance
41. A method as claimed in claim 39, wherein the at least one utterance has
42. A method as claimed in claim 37, wherein the signal is produced in
43. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein said determining comprises
the given call is originated by the particular identity and said processing
the given call
44. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein said determining comprises
45. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein the information related to
46. A method as claimed in claim 45, wherein the at least one telephony
47. A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein, for each telephony identifier
48. A method as claimed in claim 47, wherein, for each telephony identifier
49. At least one non-transitory data storage medium storing a database for use
calls, said database including:
- for each telephony identifier, information regarding a group of identities
identifier is a plurality of persons.
50. A system for processing calls, said system comprising:
wherein said information related to processing of calls involving said
comprises a hidden identifier identifying a communication device associated
with said identity;
- processing the given call based on the information related to processing of
calls involving the particular identity.
51. A system as claimed in claim 50, wherein, for each telephony identifier,
52. A system as claimed in claim 50, wherein, for each telephony identifier,
53. A system as claimed in claim 50, wherein, for each telephony identifier,
telephony identifier is a person and the party designated by a second identity
of identities that is associated with said telephony identifier is a plurality
54. A system as claimed in claim 50, wherein each of the telephony identifiers
55. A system as claimed in claim 50, wherein said determining comprises
56. A system as claimed in claim 55, wherein the signal conveys at least one
57. A system as claimed in claim 56, wherein the at least one utterance
58. A system as claimed in claim 56, wherein the at least one utterance has
59. A system as claimed in claim 50, wherein said determining comprises
60. A method for processing calls, said method comprising:
- determining that a given call involves a particular identity of the
group of identities
61. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein said determining comprises
62. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein, for each telephony identifier,
63. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein, for each telephony identifier,
64. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein, for each telephony identifier,
65. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein each of the telephony identifiers
66. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein said determining comprises
67. A method as claimed in claim 66, wherein the signal conveys at least one
68. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the at least one utterance
69. A method as claimed in claim 67, wherein the at least one utterance has
70. A method as claimed in claim 60, wherein said determining comprises
71. A method for use in call processing, said method comprising:
- maintaining a database comprising:
- determining that an additional identity is to be associated with a given one
telephony identifiers such that a party designated by the additional identity
reachable by placing a call to the given one of the telephony identifiers; and
- associating in the database the additional identity with the given one
of the telephony
identifiers such that the database comprises information related to processing
involving the additional identity.
72. A method as claimed in claim 71, wherein each of the telephony identifiers
73. A method as claimed in claim 71, wherein said determining comprises
to associate the additional identity with the given one of the telephony
74. A method as claimed in claim 73, wherein said receiving comprises
via a data network in response to a user of a communication device making the
via a data network site accessed by the communication device.
75. A method as claimed in claim 71, wherein said associating comprises:
- receiving information provided by a user of a communication device; and
- deriving the information related to processing of calls involving the
identity on a basis of the information provided by the user.
76. A method as claimed in claim 75, wherein the information provided by the
provided via a data network site accessed by the communication device.
77. A method as claimed in claim 71, wherein the additional identity is a
previously-created
identity, the database comprises information related to processing of calls
previously-created identity, and said associating comprises:
- identifying the previously-created identity on a basis of information
user of a communication device; and
- causing the previously-created identity to be associated with the given one
telephony identifiers in the database such that the information related to
calls involving the additional identity comprises at least a portion of the
related to processing of calls involving the previously-created identity.
78. A method as claimed in claim 77, wherein the information related to
involving the additional identity comprises certain information derived on a
information provided by the user of the communication device.
79. A method as claimed in claim 77, wherein the previously-created identity
with a certain telephony identifier, said method comprising maintaining in the
an association between the certain telephony identifier and the additional
identity such
that the party designated by the additional identity is reachable by placing a
call to either
the given one of the telephony identifiers or the certain telephony
80. A method for use in call processing, said method comprising:
- determining that an additional telephony identifier is to be associated
identity of the group of identities that is associated with a given one of the
- associating in the database the additional telephony identifier with the
identity such that the party designated by the particular identity is
placing a call to either the additional telephony identifier or the given one
telephony identifiers.
81. A method as claimed in claim 80, wherein each of the telephony identifiers
additional telephony identifier is a telephone number.
82. A method as claimed in claim 80, wherein said determining comprises
to associate the additional telephony identifier with the particular identity.
83. A method as claimed in claim 82, wherein said receiving comprises
84. A method as claimed in claim 80, comprising modifying the information
processing of calls involving the particular identity so as to cause calls
additional telephony identifier to be handled in a specified manner.
85. A method as claimed in claim 80, comprising adding certain information
CA 02695657 2010-02-05
WO 2009/082803
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING CALLS IN AN
ARCHITECTURE ALLOWING A TELEPHONY IDENTIFIER TO BE
ASSOCIATED WITH A GROUP OF IDENTITIES
The present invention relates generally to telecommunications and, more
to a method and a system for processing calls in an architecture allowing a
number or other telephony identifier to be associated with a group of
People nowadays typically rely on various communication devices to meet their
communication needs. For example, it is not uncommon for an individual to use
wired phone at home and another wired phone at work, while carrying around a
wireless phone for mobile communication. While certainly facilitating
communications, this reliance on various communication devices has some
For instance, in addition to receiving different bills for use of different
devices (e.g., one bill for a home's wired phone and another bill for a
wireless phone),
it can become inconvenient and inefficient for an individual to give out
telephone numbers (e.g., a telephone number of the home's wired phone and a
telephone number of the wireless phone) to friends, business contacts or other
acquaintances, who must then inconveniently keep track of these different
numbers at which the individual can be reached.
Compounding this is that, on top of using various communication devices,
people in a household or other social unit typically have vastly different
networks. Not only can this give rise to a billing chaos, but the different
communication devices and social networks can result in incoming calls and
calls being inefficiently handled. For example, in a household with parents
children, the parents may frequently answer calls that are intended for their
which in some cases may prove quite frustrating for the parents who may
unnecessarily be distracted and/or waste time.
For these and various other reasons, there exists a need for solutions
efficient processing of calls, particularly in households or other social
multiple individuals and/or multiple communication devices.
As embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention provides a
for processing calls. The system comprises a database including: a plurality
telephony identifiers; and for each telephony identifier, information
regarding a group
of persons that is associated with the telephony identifier, each person of
persons being reachable by placing a call to the telephony identifier, the
comprising, for each person of the group of persons, information related to
of calls involving the person. The system also comprises a processing element
access to the database and being operative for: determining that a given call
particular person of the group of persons that is associated with a given one
telephony identifiers; and processing the given call based on the information
processing of calls involving the particular person.
The present invention also provides a method for processing calls. The method
comprises maintaining a database including: a plurality of telephony
for each telephony identifier, information regarding a group of persons that
associated with the telephony identifier, each person of the group of persons
reachable by placing a call to the telephony identifier, the information
involving the person. The method also comprises: determining that a given call
involves a particular person of the group of persons that is associated with a
of the telephony identifiers; and processing the given call based on the
related to processing of calls involving the particular person.
The present invention also provides at least one data storage medium storing a
database for use in processing calls. The database includes: a plurality of
that is associated with the telephony identifier, each person of the group of
being reachable by placing a call to the telephony identifier, the information
of calls involving the person.
The present invention also provides a system for processing calls. The system
comprises a database including: a plurality of telephony identifiers; and for
telephony identifier, information regarding a group of identities that is
the telephony identifier, each identity of the group of identities designating
each identity of the group of identities, information related to processing of
involving the identity. The system also comprises a processing element having
to the database and being operative for: determining that a given call
particular identity of the group of identities that is associated with a given
processing of calls involving the particular identity.
for each telephony identifier, information regarding a group of identities
associated with the telephony identifier, each identity of the group of
designating a party reachable by placing a call to the telephony identifier,
information comprising, for each identity of the group of identities,
related to processing of calls involving the identity. The method also
determining that a given call involves a particular identity of the group of
given call based on the information related to processing of calls involving
identities that is associated with tje telephony identifier, each identity of
identities designating a party reachable by placing a call to the telephony
the information comprising, for each identity of the group of identities,
related to processing of calls involving the identity.
The present invention also provides a method for use in call processing. The
comprises maintaining a database comprising: a plurality of telephony
determining that an additional identity is to be associated with a given one
associating in the database the additional identity with the given one of the
determining that an additional telephony identifier is to be associated with a
CA 02695657 2014-08-07
identifiers; and associating in the database the additional telephony
particular identity such that the party designated by the particular identity
database including: a plurality of telephony identifiers and for each
telephony identifier,
information regarding a group of identities that is associated with said
telephony identifier.
Each identity of the group of identities designates a party reachable by
placing a call to the
telephony identifier. The information comprises, for each identity of the
group of identities,
information related to processing of calls involving said identity. For each
identities that is associated
with the telephony identifier is a person and the party designated by a second
group of identities that is associated with the telephony identifier is a
The system further comprises a processing element having access to the
processing element is operative for: determining that a given call involves a
identifiers, and processing the given call based on the information related to
maintaining a database including: a plurality of telephony identifiers and for
each telephony
identifier, information regarding a group of identities that is associated
with said telephony
identifier. Each identity of the group of identities designates a party
reachable by placing a
call to the telephony identifier. The information comprises, for each identity
identity. For each
telephony identifier, the party designated by a first identity of the group of
associated with the telephony identifier is a person and the party designated
identity of the group of identities that is associated with the telephony
identifier is a plurality
of persons. The method further comprises determining that a given call
involves a particular
The present invention also provides at least one non-transitory data storage
medium storing a
database for use in processing calls. The database includes a plurality of
telephony identifiers
and for each telephony identifier, information regarding a group of identities
associated with said telephony identifier. Each identity of the group of
identities designates a
party reachable by placing a call to the telephony identifier. The information
calls involving
said identity. For each telephony identifier, the party designated by a first
person and the party
designated by a second identity of the group of identities that is associated
database including a plurality of telephony identifiers and for each telephony
information related to processing of calls involving said identity. The
processing of calls involving said identity comprises a hidden identifier
communication device associated with said identity. The system further
processing element having access to the database. The processing element is
associated with a given one of the telephony identifiers, and processing the
given call based
on the information related to processing of calls involving the particular
maintaining a database including a plurality of telephony identifiers and for
of said group of
identity. The information
related to processing of calls involving said identity comprises a hidden
a communication device associated with said identity. The method further
the art upon review of the following description of example embodiments of the
A detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention is
Figure 1 shows a communications network allowing users of communication
effect telephonic communications, the communications network comprising a call
system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows an example of potential contents of a database of the call
where a telephony identifier is associated with a group of identities that
designate the users;
Figure 3 shows an example of signals potentially exchanged between the call
system and various communication devices over the communications network;
Figure 4 shows an example in which the users are enabled to use a computing
access and interact with a data network site implemented by the call
processing system in
order to manage the group of identities;
Figure 5 shows a first example situation in which an additional telephony
associated with one of the identities; and
Figure 6 shows a second example situation in which an additional identity is
associated with the telephony identifier.
purpose of illustration of example embodiments of the invention and are an aid
Figure I shows a communications network 10 allowing users of communication
devices, including users 121...124 of communication devices 141...148, to
telephonic communications (e.g., receive and originate calls). The
network 10 may comprise a portion of one or more of the Public Switched
Network (PSTN), a wireless network (e.g., a cellular network), and a data
Various types of communication devices may be used by users to effect
communications. For example, in various embodiments, a communication device
by a user (such as any one of the communication devices 141...148) may be a
Plain Old Telephony System (POTS) phone (including a cordless phone), a
phone (e.g., a cellular phone or other mobile communication device, including
telephony-enabled personal digital assistant (PDA)), a Voice-over-Internet
(VoIP) phone, a POTS phone equipped with an analog terminal adapter (ATA), a
softphone (i.e., a computer equipped with telephony software), or a telephony-
television unit (e.g., a set-top box connected to a television and a remote
Depending on functionality of a given communication device (such as any one of
communication devices 141...148), a call originated or received by the given
communication device may be a voice call, a video call, a multimedia call, or
other type of call. Also, depending on its functionality, a given
(such as any one of the communication devices 141...148) may allow other
communications to be effected (e.g., send and receive text, multimedia, email
instant messaging (IM) messages).
In this embodiment, the users 121...124 are members of a family. More
this example, the users 121 and 122 are parents, respectively father and
the users 123 and 124 are their children, in this case, son and daughter,
Also, in this embodiment: the communication device 141 is a POTS phone located
workplace 16 of the user 121; the communication device 142 is a wireless phone
carried by the user 121; the communication devices 143...146 are located at a
residence 18 (e.g., a house) of the users 121...124, with the communication
device 143
being a VolP phone located in a common area (e.g., a kitchen or living room)
residence 18, the communication device 144 being an ATA-equipped POTS phone
located in a bedroom of the users 121 and 122, the communication device 145
VolP phone located in a bedroom of the user 123, and the communication device
being a softphone located in a bedroom of the user 124; the communication
device 147
is a wireless phone carried by the user 123; and the communication device 148
wireless phone carried by the user 124.
It will be appreciated that, while in this embodiment the communication
141...148 are certain types of devices that are associated in a particular
the users 121...124, in other embodiments, the communication devices 141...148
be other types of devices and may be associated in other manners with the
121...124. It will also be appreciated that this embodiment where the users
are family members is presented for illustrative purposes only and that, in
embodiments, various users of communication devices may have various different
affiliations or no particular affiliation.
The communication devices 141...148 are connected to a call processing system
via various network portions of the communications network 10. The call
system 20 is operative to effect various call processing operations when a
communication device (such as any one of the communication devices 141...148)
destined to receive an incoming call or is used to originate an outgoing call
participate in a call in progress. The call processing system 20 comprises
hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof for implementing a
functional elements, including a processing element 24 and a plurality of
elements 221...223, whose functions are discussed below.
- The communication device 141 (in this case, a wired POTS phone) is
the routing element 221 of the call processing system 20 via a network portion
of the communications network 10. The network portion 261 may comprise a
telephone line in the PSTN and possibly one or more other network components
(e.g., routing elements, gateways, etc.). The routing element 221 is operative
perform operations to cause establishment of a call destined for or originated
the communication device 141. For example, the routing element 221 may be
1 5 implemented by a central office telephone switch.
- The communication device 142 (in this case, a wireless phone) is
routing element 222 of the call processing system 20 via a network portion 262
the communications network 10. The network portion 262 may comprise a
wireless link in combination with a base station and a wireline link, and
one or more other network components (e.g., routing elements, gateways, etc.).
The routing element 222 is operative to perform operations to cause
of a call destined for or originated by the communication device 142. For
the routing element 222 may be implemented by a mobile switching center.
Similarly, the communication devices 147 and 148 (in this case, wireless
are connected to the routing element 222 of the call processing system 20 via
network portions 267 and 268 of the communications network 10. Each of the
network portions 267 and 268 may comprise a wireless link in combination with
base station and a wireline link, and possibly one or more other network
components (e.g., routing elements, gateways, etc.). The routing element 222
operative to perform operations to cause establishment of a call destined for
originated by any of the communication devices 147 and 148. It will be
that, in other embodiments, the communication devices 147 and 148 may be
connected to one or more other routing elements of the call processing system
(e.g., where the wireless phones 142, 147 and 148 are serviced by different
providers which may operate different routing elements).
- The communication devices 143...146 (each of which is, in this case,
phone, ATA-equipped POTS phone or softphone) are connected to the routing
element 223 of the call processing system 20 via network portions 263...266 of
communications network 10. Each of the network portions 263...266 may
comprise a digital communications link (e.g., a digital subscriber line (DSL)
a cable link, or a wireless data link such as a WiMAX link) and possibly one
more other network components (e.g., routing elements, gateways, etc.). While
they are shown as distinct from one another in Figure 1, it will be
some or all of the network portions 263...266 may be implemented as a common
network portion that branches off at the residence 18. For instance, in some
certain ones of the communication devices 143...146 (e.g., the communication
devices 143, 145 and 146) may be connected to a local router at the residence
The routing element 223 is operative to perform operations to cause
of a call destined for or originated by any of the communication device
143...146.
For example, the routing element 223 may be implemented by a softswitch, a
router (e.g., an edge router or a core router), or a server equipped with a
modem. It
will be appreciated that, in other embodiments, some of the communication
devices 143...146 may be connected to one or more other routing elements of
call processing system 20 (e.g., where two or more of the communication
143...146 are serviced by different service providers which may operate
routing elements).
It will be appreciated that each of the network portion 261...268 may span
different networks (e.g., PSTN, wireless, and/or data networks) in which case
comprise one or more gateways enabling communication and interoperability
these networks. Such gateways are well known and need not be described in
It will also be appreciated that, while in this embodiment the communication
141...148 are connected to the call processing system 20 in a certain manner,
communication devices such as the communication devices 141...148 may be
connected to the call processing system 20 in various other manners in other
With continued reference to Figure 1, in this embodiment, the call processing
20 is operated by a service provider that provides communication services to
users of communication devices (including, in this case, the users 121...124).
recognized however that, in other embodiments, different functional elements
call processing system 20 may be operated by different service providers.
In some embodiments, two or more of the processing element 24 and the routing
elements 221...223 of the call processing system 20 may be functional elements
implemented by a common network component. In particular, the processing
24 and one or more of the routing elements 221...223 may be implemented by a
common network component. For example, in some embodiments, the processing
element 24 and the routing element 223 may be functional elements of a
softswitch or
Also, in some embodiments, two or more of the processing element 24 and the
implemented by different network components that are linked by one or more
physical (i.e., wired or wireless) communication links and possibly other
components (e.g., gateways) of the communications network 10. For example, in
some embodiments, the processing element 24 and the routing element 223 may be
functional elements of a softswitch or other server, while the routing element
221 is a
functional element of a central office telephone switch and the routing
element 222 is
a functional element of a mobile switching center, whereby the central office
telephone switch and the mobile switching center are linked to the softswitch
server via communication links and possibly other network components of the
communications network 10.
The processing element 24 comprises suitable hardware, firmware, software or a
combination thereof for implementing a plurality of functional entities,
processing entity 30 and a routing entity 32, which are configured to perform
operations when a communication device (such as any one of the communication
devices 141...148) is destined to receive an incoming call or is used to
originate an
outgoing call or participate in a call in progress.
More particularly, the processing entity 30 implements a call processing logic
process a call destined for, originated by, or in progress at a communication
(such as any one of the communication devices 141...148). For example, the
processing logic may be defined by a sequence of decisions to be taken with
a given call, which may lead to one or more actions being performed based on
Each decision taken with respect to a given call may be based on one or more
A factor on which is based a decision to be taken with respect to a given call
defined in terms of information regarding the given call. For example,
regarding a given call may include information regarding an origin of the
such as: the given call's origin which may be expressed, for instance, as a
number or other identifier (e.g., an Internet Protocol (IP) address or another
Resource Identifier (URI) such as a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) URI)
a device that originated the given call or as a name or other identifier of a
that originated the call; a time at which the given call was originated (e.g.,
a day, hour,
minute, etc.); and/or a location (e.g., a city or street address) where the
given call was
originated. As another example, information regarding a given call may include
information regarding a destination of the given call as specified by a
that originated the call, such as the given call's intended destination, which
expressed, for instance, as a telephone number or other identifier (e.g., an
or SIP URI) identifying a device for which the call is destined or as a name
identifier of a called party for which the call is destined. A factor on which
is based a
decision to be taken with respect to a given call may also be defined in terms
certain information included in a database 36 that may be accessed by the
entity 30.
One or more actions are performed based on one or more decisions taken with
to a given call, such as route the given call to a certain destination, cause
ringing to be effected to announce the given call, block the given call, etc.
entity 32 is operative to cause these one or more actions to be performed. For
example, for a given call destined for, originated by, or in progress at one
communication devices 141...148, the routing entity 32 may cause a given one
routing elements 221...223 to perform these one or more actions.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a telephone number
other telephony identifier enabling establishment of calls may be associated
group of "identities-, where each "identity- designates a party reachable by
call to this telephone number or other telephony identifier. The party
designated by an
identity may be a person or a group of persons. Also, in some cases, a person
have a plurality of identities (e.g., a personal identity for his/her personal
business identity for business purposes).
As further discussed below, this association of a telephone number or other
identifier with a group of identities is particularly useful from various
For example, this may allow multiple persons and/or multiple communication
to share a common telephone number or other telephony identifier, and have an
incoming call placed to that telephone number or other telephony identifier
according to which identity it is determined to be intended for and/or have an
outgoing call placed by any of these persons using any of these communication
devices processed according to which identity it is determined to be
originated by. In
addition, a single consolidated bill may be issued by the service provider
call processing system 20 for charges incurred by these multiple persons
multiple communication devices, thereby simplifying a billing process for both
service provider and a subscriber receiving this single consolidated bill.
An association of a telephone number or other telephony identifier with a
identities may be maintained in the database 36. Figure 2 shows an example of
potential contents of the database 36. In this example, the database 36 stores
plurality of records 2001-200m, where each of the records 200I-200m is
with a subscriber to communication services provided by the service provider
operating the call processing system 20.
For purposes of illustration, it is assumed that, in this example, a record
200i of the
records 2001-200N4 is associated with the family formed by the users 121
...124.
In this embodiment, the record 2003 includes subscriber identification
identifying the subscriber associated with the record 200i. For instance, the
identification information 17 may include an account number and/or another
subscriber identifier.
The record 2003 also includes a telephony identifier 19 enabling establishment
calls. In this embodiment, the telephony identifier 19 is a telephone number,
for purposes of this example, is assumed to be (555) 555-1234. In other
the telephony identifier 19 may be any other information that can be provided
calling party and/or used by the communications network 10 when a call is to
established (e.g., a name, an electronic serial number (ESN), an IP address, a
URI, Electronic Numbering (ENUM) information, etc.).
In this example, the telephone number 19 is associated with a group of
211...215. In this case, each of the identities 211 ...215 designates a
person, namely,
one of the users 121...124. More particularly, in this example: each of the
211 and 212 designates the user 121 (i.e., the father), where the identity 211
personal identity of the user 121 used for his personal life and the identity
212 is a
business identity of the user 121 used for business purposes; the identity 213
designates the user 122 (i.e., the mother); the identity 214 designates the
user 123 (i.e.,
the son); and the identity 215 designates the user 124 (i.e., the daughter).
As further discussed later on, when it operates to establish a call placed to
telephone number 19 (in this case, (555) 555-1234) by a calling party, the
processing system 20 may determine, based on information regarding an origin
call (e.g., a telephone number or other identifier of the calling party, a
the call was originated, a location where the call was originated, etc.), to
identities 211...215 the call is intended for and may proceed to route the
accordingly, for instance, by directing the call to one or more of the
devices 141...148. Similarly, when it operates to establish a call originated
the users 121...124 using any of the communication devices 141...148, the call
processing system 20 may process the call according to which of the identities
211...215 it is determined to be originated by.
Each of the identities 211...215 is associated with various information that
serves to define that identity within the call processing system 20.
More particularly, in this embodiment, each of the identities 211...215 is
identity identification information 31, which may include, for instance, a
name (e.g., a
name of a given one of the users 121 ...124 designated by that identity), an
number or code, and/or other information identifying that identity.
Also, each of the identities 211...215 is associated with information 25
processing of calls involving that identity, i.e., calls intended for or
originated by the
person designated by that identity. The information 25 associated with each of
identities 211...215, which is hereinafter referred to as "call processing
is used by the call processing system 20 to process a call intended for or
In this embodiment, the call processing information 25 associated with each of
identities 211...215 comprises device identification information 33 directly
indirectly identifying one or more of the communication devices 141...148
with that identity. More particularly, the person designated by each of the
211...215 may be associated with one or more of the communication devices 14i
that he/she is expected to use for effecting calls. Thus, in this example: the
211 (which designates the user 121, and more specifically, his personal
associated with the communication devices 141...144; the identity 212 (which
designates the user 121, and more specifically, his business identity) is
the communication devices 141 and 142; the identity 213 (which designates the
122) is associated with the communication devices 143 and 144; the identity
(which designates the user 123) is associated with the communication devices
and 147; and the identity 215 (which designates the user 124) is associated
communication devices 143, 146 and 148.
In order to reach or be reached by the call processing system 20 over the
communications network 10, each of the communication devices 141...148 is
or indirectly identified by a device identifier included in the device
information 33. The device identifier identifying each of the communication
141...148 may take on various forms depending on that communication device's
For example: for the communication device 141, which, in this case, is a wired
phone, the device identifier may include a telephone number identifying a
line to which the wired POTS phone 141 is connected; for the communication
142, which, in this case, is a wireless phone, the device identifier may
electronic serial number (ESN) and/or a telephone number associated with the
wireless phone 142; for each of the communication devices 143...146, each of
is, in this case, a VoIP phone, ATA-equipped POTS phone, or softphone, the
identifier may include an IP address and/or a telephone number (and/or another
such as a SIP URI) associated with the VoIP phone, ATA-equipped POTS phone, or
softphone. It will be recognized that the device identifier identifying a
communication device may take on other forms (e.g., Electronic Numbering
information) in other cases.
In this example, callers who desire to reach the users 121...124 can do so by
calls to the telephone number 19 (in this case, (555) 555-1234) without
device identifier associated with any of the communication devices 141...148.
sense, the device identifier associated with each of the communication devices
141...148 can be viewed as a "hidden- identifier (e.g., a hidden telephone
that is used by the call processing system 20 to communicate with that
device. That is, the device identifier associated with each of the
devices 141...148 need not be known by callers that call the users 121...124
the users 121...124 themselves. Rather, the users 121...124 may provide only
telephone number 19, in this case, (555) 555-1234, to individuals (e.g.,
colleagues, business contacts or other acquaintances) who may then proceed to
any one of the users 121...124 using that telephone number. As further
on, the call processing system 20 can determine, based on information
origin of a given call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234, to which
identities 211...215 the call is intended for and can then proceed to route
devices 141...148 using the (hidden) device identifier associated with each of
identities 211...215 also comprises information 23 regarding one or more
be performed by the call processing system 20 to process calls intended for or
originated by that identity. This information 23, which is hereinafter
"processing operation information", can take on many forms in various
For example, in some embodiments, the processing operation information 23
associated with each of the identities 211...215 can be viewed as defining a
or more rules that may be characterized by various levels of complexity. For
in some cases, the processing operation information 23 associated with a given
the identities 211...215 may simply specify to route a call determined to be
for that identity to one or more communication devices (e.g., any one of the
communication devices 141...148), while, in other cases, it may specify a more
complex set of rules to be applied when a call is determined to be intended
originated by that identity (e.g., based on an origin of the call, a time at
originated, etc.).
The processing operation information 23 associated with each of the identities
211...215 may be configurable in order to allow processing of calls intended
originated by the person designated by that identity as desired by that
person. In some
embodiments, the processing operation information 23 associated with each of
identities 211...215may be configured by the person designated by that
identity during
a provisioning phase (e.g., via a data network site operated by the service
operating the call processing system 20).
For instance, in some embodiments, the processing operation information 23
associated with each of the identities 211...215 may relate to zero or more
features that may be subscribed to by the person designated by that identity.
Subscription to different telephony features may be completely independent
person to another and there is no restriction on a number or combination of
that may be subscribed to by any one person. In some cases, a person may not
subscribe to any telephony feature, while in other cases a person may
available telephony features. Also, in some cases, one or more telephony
be subscribed to without having to pay for these one or more features, which
provided as default or standard features.
Examples of telephony features that may be subscribed to by the person
an identity 21i of the identities 211...215 (1 5_j :5_5) include:
call forwarding feature whereby every incoming call determined to be intended
for the identity 21i is to be forwarded to a particular communication device
any one of the communication devices 141...148) associated with a particular
device identifier (e.g., a telephone number, IP address, or SIP URI), in which
the processing operation information 23 may include the particular device
identifier and possibly other information (e.g., one or more periods of time
which this feature is to be applied);
- a selective call forwarding feature whereby an incoming call determined to
intended for the identity 21J and originated by any of one or more
devices each associated with a predetermined identifier (e.g., a predetermined
telephone number, IP address, or SIP URI) is to be forwarded to a particular
communication device (e.g., any one of the communication devices 141...148)
associated with a particular device identifier (e.g., a telephone number, IP
or SIP URI), in which case the processing operation information 23 may include
the predetermined identifier associated with each of the one or more
communication devices, the particular device identifier and possibly other
information (e.g., one or more periods of time during which this feature is to
- a no-answer call forwarding feature whereby an incoming call determined
intended for the identity 21j is to be forwarded to a particular communication
device (e.g., any one of the communication devices 141...148) associated with
particular device identifier (e.g., a telephone number, IP address, or SIP
URI) if it
is not answered within a predetermined period of time (e.g., a predetermined
number of rings), in which case the processing operation information 23 may
include the particular device identifier, the predetermined period of time,
possibly other information (e.g., one or more periods of time during which
feature is to be applied);
- a "find me / follow me" (FM/FM) call forwarding feature whereby an
call determined to be intended for the identity 21j is to be forwarded to a
of communication devices (e.g., plural ones of the communication devices
14]...148) respectively associated with a plurality of identifiers (each of
may be, for example, a telephone number, IP address, or SIP URI) either
simultaneously and/or sequentially (e.g., until it is answered or all the
have been used and the call remains unanswered, in which case it can be
forwarded to a voicemail system), in which case the processing operation
information 23 may include the plurality of identifiers, a sequence in which
are to be used or an indication to use all or some of them simultaneously, and
feature is to be applied, one or more identifiers associated with one or more
communication devices originating calls to which this feature is to be
- a distinctive ringing feature whereby incoming calls determined to be
the identity 2l i are to be announced by different audio signals (e.g., ring
tones or
songs) when they originate from communication devices associated with specific
identifiers (each of which may be, for example, a telephone number, IP
SIP URI), in which case the processing operation information 23 may include,
each of the communication devices, the specific identifier associated
information regarding a specific audio signal to be produced when an incoming
call originates therefrom, and possibly other information (e.g., one or more
periods of time during which this feature is to be applied);
- a selective call rejection feature whereby an incoming call determined to
telephone number, IP address, or SIP URI) is rejected and not announced, in
which case the processing operation information 23 may include the
predetermined identifier associated with each of the one or more communication
devices and possibly other information (e.g., one or more periods of time
- a selective call acceptance feature whereby only an incoming call
be intended for the identity 211 and originated by any of one or more
communication devices each associated with a predetermined identifier (e.g., a
predetermined telephone number, IP address, or SIP URI) is accepted and
announced, in which case the processing operation information 23 may include
communication devices and possibly other information (e.g., one or more
of time during which this feature is to be applied);
- a call waiting feature whereby a communication device (e.g., any one of
communication devices 141...148) involved in a call in progress produces a
notification of an incoming call determined to be intended for the identity
21j, in
which case the processing operation information 23 may include an indication
this feature is to be applied, information regarding an audio notification to
produced to announce an incoming call, and possibly other information (e.g.,
or more periods of time during which this feature is to be applied);
- a distinctive ringing call waiting feature whereby a communication device
any one of the communication devices 141...148) involved in a call in progress
produces a distinctive audio notification of an incoming call determined to be
intended for the identity 211 and originated by any of one or more
devices each associated with a specific identifier (e.g., a specific telephone
number, IP address, or SIP URI), in which case the processing operation
information 23 may include, for each of the one or more communication devices,
the specific identifier associated therewith, information regarding an audio
notification to be produced to announce an incoming call originated therefrom,
and possibly other information (e.g., one or more periods of time during which
this feature is to be applied);
- a calling line identification (CLID) displaying feature whereby CLID
(e.g., a telephone number and/or a name) associated with a communication
originating a call determined to be intended for the identity 21i is
this feature is to be applied and possibly other information (e.g., one or
- a CLID blocking feature whereby CLID information (e.g., a telephone number
and/or a name) is not provided to a communication device when an outgoing call
for that communication device is determined to be originated by the identity
in which case the processing operation information 23 may include an
that this feature is to be applied and possibly other information (e.g., one
- a speed calling feature whereby an outgoing call determined to be
the identity 2l j and destined for any of one or more communication devices
associated with a predetermined telephone number can be originated by
a specific code (e.g., a one or two digit code) shorter than the predetermined
telephone number, in which case the processing operation information 23 may
include, for each of the one or more communication devices, the predetermined
telephone number associated therewith, the specific code, and possibly other
applied); and
- an outgoing call barring feature whereby an outgoing call determined to be
originated by the identity 21j and destined for any of one or more
telephone number, IP address, or SIP URI) is to be prevented from being
established, in which case the processing operation information 23 may
for each of the one or more communication devices, the predetermined
associated therewith and possibly other information (e.g., one or more periods
time during which this feature is to be applied).
It is to be understood that these examples of telephony features are presented
illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered limiting in any
various other telephony features are or may become available. Also, the above
examples of information that may be part of the processing operation
associated with the identity 21i in relation to one or more telephony features
presented for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered limiting
It is also to be understood that, in some embodiments, the processing
information 23 associated with any one of the identities 211...215 may not
any particular telephony feature. Generally, the processing operation
associated with each of the identities 211...215 is indicative of one or more
to be performed by the call processing system 20 to process calls intended for
originated by that identity.
In this embodiment, each of the identities 211...215 may also be associated
contact information 37 regarding one or more contacts (e.g., friends,
business contacts or other acquaintances) of the person designated by that
For example, for each of these one or more contacts, the contact information
include a telephony identifier associated with that party, such as a telephone
a name, an electronic serial number (ESN), an IP address, a SIP URI,
Numbering (ENUM) information, etc. Thus, in this case, the contact information
associated with each of the identities 211...215 can be viewed as part of an
book of the person designated by that identity. The contact information 37
with each of the identities 211...215 may be configured by the person
that identity during a provisioning phase (e.g., via a data network site
service provider operating the call processing system 20).
While in this embodiment the database 36 includes certain information in
with each of the identities 211...215, the database 36 may include various
information in other embodiments. Also, while in this example each of the
211...215 designates a single one of the users 121...124, in other examples,
telephone number 19 may be associated with an additional identity designating
more of the users 121...124. For instance, in some cases, in addition to being
associated with the identities 211...215, the telephone number 19 may be
with an identity designating the family formed by the users 121...124.
Also, while in this example the record 200i associates the telephone number 19
this case, (555) 555-1234) with the group of identities 211...215. it will be
that, in some embodiments, one or more of the records 2001-200N4 in the
may include a telephony identifier 19 that is not associated with a group of
but that is rather generally associated with a subscriber to communication
provided by the service provider operating the call processing system 20
defining two or more identities.
In addition, while it is depicted in Figure 1 as being one component, the
may be distributed in nature. For example, the database 36 can have portions
content stored in different data storage media possibly located in different
components of the communications network 10.
Referring now to Figure 3, operation of the call processing system 20, and in
particular of the processing element 24, will be illustrated in the context of
example in which a calling party 40 uses a communication device 42 for placing
to the telephone number 19, in this case, (555) 555-1234, associated with the
identities 211...215 designating the users 121_124. In various embodiments,
communication device 42 may be a wired POTS phone, a wireless phone, a VoIP
phone, an ATA-equipped POTS phone, a softphone, a telephony-enabled television
unit, or any other suitable communication device.
For example, the calling party 40 may interact with the communication device
dial the telephone number (555) 555-1234, select a contact identifier from a
function implemented by the communication device 42 to indicate his/her desire
call that telephone number, or speak a voice command indicative of his/her
call that telephone number. This interaction of the calling party 40 with the
communication device 42 results in the communication device 42 transmitting a
signal 100 over a network portion 50 of the communications network 10 (e.g., a
telephone line in the PSTN, a wireless link in combination with a base station
wireline link, a digital communications link, and/or one or more other network
components (e.g., routing elements, gateways, etc.)). The signal 100, which
the call processing system 20, serves to place the call to the telephone
number (555)
555-1234. For example, and depending on the nature of the network portion 50
the nature of the interaction of the calling party 40 with the communication
device 42,
the signal 100 may convey one or more dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones,
or more data packets, or other information serving to place the call for the
number (555) 555-1234.
In the call processing system 20, the signal 100 is eventually processed by
processing element 24 (possibly after being processed by one or more other
of the call processing system 20 such as, for instance, one or more of the
elements 221...223). As part of this process, the processing entity 30
the signal 100 originates from the communication device 42 and serves to place
call to the telephone number (555) 555-1234. More particularly, the processing
obtains, based on the signal 100, information regarding an origin of the call
30 information indicating that the call has been placed to the telephone
555-1234. For instance, in this embodiment, the information regarding the
the call is indicative of a telephone number identifying the communication
which, for purposes of this example, is assumed to be (555) 555-5678, and of a
which the call was originated (e.g., a day, hour, minute, etc.).
As it carries out its call processing logic, the processing entity 30 consults
database 36 to determine whether certain actions are to be performed in
call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234. Thus, in this example, the
processing entity 30 consults the database 36 in an attempt to find a given
record 2001-200m that includes a telephony identifier 19 corresponding to the
telephone number (555) 555-1234. In this case, upon finding the record 200j
corresponds to the telephone number (555) 555-1234, the processing entity 30
determines that this telephone number is associated with the group of
211...215.
The processing entity 30 proceeds to determine for which of the identities
the call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 is intended and then
the call to be routed accordingly, for instance, by causing the call to be
or more of the communication devices 141...148. In this embodiment, the
entity 30 determines, based on the information regarding the origin of the
to the telephone number (555) 555-1234, at least one particular identity of
identities 211...215 for which the call is intended, and proceeds to cause
routing of the
call based on the call processing information 25 associated with the at least
particular identity of the identities 21i ...21 5.
More particularly, in this embodiment, the processing entity 30 searches the
200j to determine whether the telephone number (555) 555-5678, from which
originates the call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234, is part of
contact information 37 associated with any one of the identities 211...215.
scenarios that can arise will now be discussed.
Scenario I: Originating telephone number is part of contact information
If the telephone number (555) 555-5678 is part of the contact information 37
associated with a single one of the identities 211...215, the processing
concludes that the call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 is
In this case, the processing entity 30 proceeds to cause the routing entity 32
routing of the call based on the call processing information 25 associated
single one of the identities 211...215. For instance, based on the call
information 25 associated with the single one of the identities 211...215, the
entity 32 may cause one or more of the routing elements 221...223 to send one
more signals 1101...1108 over one or more of the network portions 261...268 to
the call to one or more of the communication devices 14]...148, and/or may
call to be routed in other ways (e.g., to a voicemail system). While the call
routed, the routing entity 32 may cause the communication device 42 to provide
back tone (e.g., a standard or other audible tone or sound file) to indicate
party 40 that the call is being placed.
For example, assume that (i) the single one of the identities 211...215 is the
212 (which is the business identity of the user 121, i.e., the father), and
(ii) the call
processing information 25 associated with the identity 212 indicates that any
any call originating from one or more predetermined telephone numbers,
the telephone number (555) 555-5678) intended for the identity 212 and
weekdays between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM is to be routed to the communication
141 (i.e., the wired POTS phone at the workplace 16 of the user 121) and that
intended for the identity 212 at any other time is to be routed to the
device 142 (i.e., the wireless phone of the user 121). Thus, in a case where
placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 was originated at 2:30 PM on a
Tuesday, the routing entity 32 causes the routing element 221 to send a signal
over the network portion 261 to route the call to the communication device
141, while
in a case where the call was originated at 10:30 AM on a Saturday, the routing
32 causes the routing element 221 to send a signal 1102 over the network
portion 262
to route the call to the communication device 142.
As another example, assume that (i) the single one of the identities 211...215
identity 211 (which is the personal identity of the user 121, i.e., the
father), and (ii) the
call processing information 25 associated with the identity 211 indicates that
intended for the identity 211 and originated on weekdays between 7:00 AM and
PM is to be routed to the communication device 142 (i.e., the wireless phone
user 121) and that any call intended for the identity 211 at any other time is
routed to each of the communication devices 143 and 144 (i.e., the VoIP phone
ATA-equipped POTS phone in the kitchen and the parents' bedroom of the
18, respectively). Thus, in a case where the call placed to the telephone
555-1234 was originated at 1:40 PM on a Tuesday, the routing entity 32 causes
routing element 222 to send a signal 1102 over the network portion 262 to
call to the communication device 142, while in a case where the call was
8:00 PM on a Monday, the routing entity 32 causes the routing element 223 to
signals 1103 and 1104 over the network portions 263 and 264 to route the call
communication devices 143 and 144.
As yet another example, assume that (i) the single one of the identities 211
...215 is the
identity 214 (which designates the user 123, i.e., the son), and (ii) the call
information 25 associated with the identity 214 indicates that any call
identity 214 is to be first routed to the communication device 145 (i.e., the
in the son's bedroom at the residence 18) and, if not answered within a
of time (e.g., a certain number of rings), then routed to the communication
(i.e., the wireless phone of the user 123). Thus, the routing entity 32 causes
element 223 to send a signal 1105 over the network portion 265 to route the
communication device 145 and, if the call is not answered within the certain
time, the routing entity 32 causes the routing element 222 to send a signal
the network portion 267 to route the call to the communication device 147.
As yet another example, assume that (i) the single one of the identities
211...215 is the
identity 213 (which designates the user 122, i.e., the mother), and (ii) the
processing information 25 associated with the identity 213 indicates that any
intended for the identity 213 is to be routed to each of the communication
and 144 (i.e., the VoIP phone and the ATA-equipped POTS phone in the kitchen
the parents' bedroom of the residence 18, respectively). Thus, in that case,
entity 32 causes the routing element 223 to send signals 1103 and 1104 over
network portions 263 and 264 to route the call to the communication devices
It will be appreciated that these examples are presented for illustrative
and that the routing entity 32 may cause the call placed to the telephone
555-1234 to be routed in various manners depending on the call processing
information 25 associated with the single one of the identities 211...215 for
call is determined to be intended (e.g., the routing entity 32 may cause one
actions to be performed in relation to one or more telephony features that may
subscribed to by the person designated by that identity).
It will also be appreciated that, in cases where the routing entity 32 causes
placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 to be routed to a given one of
communication devices 141...148 that is associated with two or more of the
211...215 (e.g., the communication device 143 or 144), the routing entity 32
that given communication device to indicate which one of these identities the
intended for. For example, the routing entity 32 may cause the given
device to provide an audible indication (e.g., a distinctive ringtone and/or a
announcement) and/or a visual indication (e.g., a displayed announcement,
be combined with CLID information, and/or lighting up of a light) of which one
these identities the call is intended for.
Scenario II: Originating telephone number is part of contact information
with two or more identities
associated with each of two or more of the identities 21]...215, the
30 concludes that the call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 is
for at least one of these two or more identities.
In some embodiments, upon concluding that the call placed to the telephone
(555) 555-1234 is intended for at least one of two or more of the identities
211...215,
the processing entity 30 may cause the routing entity 32 to effect routing of
based on the call processing information 25 associated with each of these two
identities. For instance, based on the call processing information 25
the two or more of the identities 211...215, the routing entity 32 may cause
more of the routing elements 221...223 to send one or more signals 1101...1108
one or more of the network portions 261...268 to route the call to one or more
communication devices 141...148, and/or may cause the call to be routed in
ways (e.g., to a voicemail system). For example, in a case where the telephone
number (555) 555-5678 is part of the contact information 37 associated with
the identities 21i and 213, which respectively designate the user 121 (i.e.,
and the user 122 (i.e., the mother), the routing entity 32 may cause the
223 to send signals 1103 and 1104 over the network portions 263 and 264 to
call to the communication devices 143 and 144.
Alternatively, in some embodiments, upon concluding that the call placed to
telephone number (555) 555-1234 is intended for at least one of two or more of
identities 211...215, the processing entity 30 may attempt to single out a
of these two or more identities as being more likely to be the identity for
call is intended.
For example, in some embodiments, the processing entity 30 may consult a call
history in an attempt to single out a specific identity for which the call is
The call history may be included in the record 200j of the database 36 or in
database to which the processing entity 30 has access. In some cases, the call
may indicate which of the identities 211...215 effectively answered previous
placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 from various origins (e.g.,
origination telephone numbers). For instance, this can be achieved by
which of the communication devices 141...148 have been used to answer these
previous calls or using other techniques to flag incoming calls as having been
answered by one of the identities 211....215. Upon consulting the call
processing entity 30 may determine that a specific one of the two or more of
identities 211...215, which are associated with the contact information 37
the telephone number (555) 555-5678, has been involved in answering most or
the previous calls originating from that telephone number or the last call
from that telephone number, in which case the processing entity 30 may
the call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 is intended for that
identity. In other cases, the call history may indicate which of the
identities 211...215
effectively placed previous calls to various destinations (e.g., various
telephone numbers). For instance, this can be achieved by indicating which of
communication devices 141...148 have been used to place these previous calls
using other techniques to flag outgoing calls as having been placed by one of
identities 21 ....215. Upon consulting the call history, the processing entity
determine that a specific one of the two or more of the identities 211...215,
associated with the contact information 37 that includes the telephone number
555-5678, has been involved in placing most or all of the previous calls to
telephone number or the last call placed to that telephone number, in which
processing entity 30 may conclude that the call placed to the telephone number
555-1234 is intended for that specific identity. In these cases, the
processing entity 30
may cause the routing entity 32 to effect routing of the call based on the
processing information 25 associated with the specific one of the identities
21]...215,
in a manner similar to that described above in respect of Scenario I.
As another example, in some embodiments, the processing entity 30 may cause
transmission of a signal 120 to the communication device 42 in order to invite
calling party 40 to specify which of the identities 21f...215 he/she is trying
For example, the signal 120 may convey a message inviting the calling party 40
specify which of the identities 211...215 he/she is trying to reach. Depending
functionality of the communication device 42, the message may comprise a voice
message and/or a displayable message prompting the calling party 40 to specify
of the identities 211...215 he/she is trying to reach. For instance, in a case
processing entity 30 concluded that the call placed to the telephone number
1234 is intended for at least one of the identities 211 and 213 and where the
user 121 is
named John and the user 122 is named Carol, the message may be "Are you trying
reach John or Carol'?", "Press 1 if you want to reach John, 2 if you want to
Carol, or 3 if you want to reach either of them", or any conceivable variant
Alternatively, the message may be "Please specify who you are trying to reach"
any conceivable variant thereof such as to not give out the names of John and
The calling party 40 may then interact with the communication device 42, for
instance, by pressing on one or more buttons or otherwise manually interacting
therewith and/or speaking one or more utterances in order to specify which of
identities 211...215 he/she is trying to reach, thereby causing the
device 42 to transmit a signal 124 indicative of which of the identities
211...215 the
calling party 40 is trying to reach. Upon processing the signal 124 indicative
of the identities 211...215 the calling party 40 is trying to reach (possibly
speech recognition function in a case where the calling party 40 vocally
which identity he/she is trying to reach), the processing entity 30 concludes
call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 is intended for that
identity. In such a case, the processing entity 30 may cause the routing
entity 32 to
effect routing of the call based on the call processing information 25
the specified one of the identities 211...215, in a manner similar to that
above in respect of Scenario I.
Scenario III: Originating telephone number is not part of contact information
associated with any identity
If the telephone number (555) 555-5678 is not part of the contact information
associated with any of the identities 211...215, the processing entity 30
the call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 is intended for an
undetermined one of these identities.
(555) 555-1234 is intended for an undetermined one of the identities
211...215, the
processing entity 30 may cause the routing entity 32 to effect routing of the
on the call processing information 25 associated with each of these
identities. For
instance, based on the call processing information 25 associated with each of
identities 211...215, the routing entity 32 may cause one or more of the
elements 221...223 to send one or more signals 1101...1108 over one or more of
network portions 261...268 to route the call to one or more of the
devices 141...148, and/or may cause the call to be routed in other ways (e.g.,
voicemail system). For example, in some cases, the routing entity 32 may cause
routing elements 221...223 to send signals 1101...1108 over the network
261...268 to route the call to each of the communication devices 141...148,
simultaneously or in a particular sequence.
telephone number (555) 555-1234 is intended for an undetermined one of the
of these identities as being more likely to be the identity for which the call
For example, in some embodiments, the processing entity 30 may consult the
history described above in connection with Scenario II. In some cases, upon
consulting the call history, the processing entity 30 may determine that a
of the identities 211...215 has been involved in answering most or all of the
calls originating from the telephone number (555) 555-5678 or the last call
identity. In other cases, upon consulting the call history, the processing
entity 30 may
determine that a specific one of the identities 211...215 has been involved in
most or all of the previous calls to the telephone number (555) 555-5678 or
call placed to that telephone number, in which case the processing entity 30
conclude that the call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 is
that specific identity. In these cases, the processing entity 30 may cause the
entity 32 to effect routing of the call based on the call processing
associated with the specific one of the identities 211...215, in a manner
described above in respect of Scenario I.
calling party 40 to specify which of the identities 211...215 he/she is trying
as described above in connection with Scenario II. The calling party 40 may
interact with the communication device 42, for instance, by pressing on one or
buttons or otherwise manually interacting therewith and/or speaking one or
utterances in order to specify which of the identities 211...215 he/she is
reach, thereby causing the communication device 42 to transmit a signal 124
indicative of which of the identities 211 ...215 the calling party 40 is
Upon processing the signal 124 indicative of which of the identities 211...215
calling party 40 is trying to reach (possibly applying a speech recognition
a case where the calling party 40 vocally specified which identity he/she is
reach), the processing entity 30 concludes that the call placed to the
(555) 555-1234 is intended for that specified identity. In such a case, the
entity 30 may cause the routing entity 32 to effect routing of the call based
processing information 25 associated with the specified one of the identities
As yet another example, in some embodiments, the processing entity 30 may
public data network such as the Internet in order to determine whether there
relationship between any one of the identities 211...215 and the origin of the
placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234. More particularly, the
entity 30 may perform a search on one or more sites (e.g., web sites) of the
network on a basis of information regarding the origin of the call (e.g., the
number (555) 555-5678 identifying the communication device 42 and/or a name or
other identifier of the calling party 40) and information pertaining to each
identities 211 ...215 (e.g., a name of a given one of the users 121...124
that identity) in order to determine whether there is a relationship between
of the call and any one of these identities. For example, the processing
perform a search on one or more social networking sites (e.g., Facebook ,
Linkedln ,
MySpace ) and/or one or more search engine sites (e.g., Google , Yahoo! ). If,
processing results of the search, the processing entity 30 determines that
relationship between the origin of the call and a given one of the identities
(e.g., a name of the calling party 40 has been found as a friend or contact in
networking site profile of one of the users 121...124 designated by that given
the processing entity 30 may conclude that the call is intended for that given
In such a case, the processing entity 30 may cause the routing entity 32 to
given one of the identities 211...215, in a manner similar to that described
respect of Scenario I.
While in embodiments considered above a determination as to which of the
211...215 the call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 is intended
effected in a particular manner, it will be appreciated that this
effected in various other manners in other embodiments.
For example, and as mentioned previously, in some embodiments, in addition to
associated with the identities 211...215, the telephone number (555) 555-1234
associated with a sixth identity designating the family formed by the users
121...124.
In these embodiments, the call processing information 25 associated with the
designating the family formed by the users 121...124 may specify to route a
intended for the family to one or more common ones of the communication
141...148 (e.g., the communication device 143 located in a common area of the
residence 18) and, optionally, if the call remains unanswered after a
period of time (e.g., a predetermined number of rings), to route the call to a
system. For instance, upon encountering Scenario III described above where the
telephone number (555) 555-5678 from which originates the call placed to the
telephone number (555) 555-1234 is not part of the contact information 37
with any of the identities 211...215, the processing entity 30 may conclude,
that the call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 is intended for
identity designating the family formed by the users 121...124 and may proceed
cause the routing entity 32 to effect routing of the call based on the call
information 25 associated with the identity designating the family formed by
121...124, thereby causing the call to be routed to one or more common ones of
communication devices 141...148 and possibly to a voicemail system.
In addition, one or more other sources of information may be consulted by the
processing entity 30 in making a determination as to which of the identities
a call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 is intended for. For
some embodiments, the processing entity 30 may have access to one or more
directories associated with one or more of the users 121...124 designated by
identities 211 _215 (e.g., a corporate directory, a university directory, or
organization's directory) and may consult these one or more directories in an
to determine to which of the identities 211...215 a call placed to the
(555) 555-1234 is intended for. For instance, in one case, further to
the identity 212, i.e., the business identity of the user 121, the processing
have knowledge that the user 121 works for a particular company and may have
access to that company's directory. In this case, in determining to which of
identities 211...215 a given call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-
1234 is
intended for, the processing entity 30 may consult the directory of the
company and, upon finding in the directory an origination telephone number
calling party's name for the given call, may determine that the given call is
for the identity 212 and cause the given call to be routed accordingly.
Also, while in embodiments considered above the processing entity 30
determines to
which of the identities 211...215 a call placed to the telephone number (555)
is intended for by consulting different sources of information, including the
information 37 associated with each of these identities, a call history of
previous calls,
and one or more sites of a public data network, it will be appreciated that,
embodiments, the processing entity 30 may effect this determination by
only one or a different combination of these sources of information (or other
It will thus be appreciated that, in this embodiment, the telephone number
1234 being associated with the group of identities 211...215 which designate
121...124 is particularly useful from various perspectives. For example, in
the users 121...124 and the communication devices 141...148 share a common
telephone number (i.e., (555) 555-1234) and every incoming call placed to that
telephone number is routed according to which of the identities 211...215 it
determined to be intended for. This benefits the users 121...124 who only need
remember and give out to their friends, colleagues and/or other acquaintances
telephone number (i.e., (555) 555-1234) at which they can be reached.
benefits these friends, colleagues and/or other acquaintances of the users
who only need to remember a single telephone number (i.e., (555) 555-1234) at
each of the users 121...124 can be reached. Also, by virtue of routing every
call placed to the telephone number (555) 555-1234 according to which of the
identities 211...215 it is determined to be intended for, undesirable
situations where a
given one of the users 121...124 for whom the call is not intended wastes
his/her time
picking up the call can be avoided.
Although the above-considered example relates to an incoming call placed to
telephone number (555) 555-1234 associated with the group of identities
211...215, it
will be appreciated that this association between the telephone number (555)
1234, the users 121...124 and the communication devices 141...148 may also
other benefits in respect of an outgoing call originated by any of these users
of these communication devices.
For example, when a given one of the users 121...124 uses a given one of the
communication devices 141...148 to place a call, the processing entity 30 may
determine that a given one of the identities 211...215 designates the given
users 121...124 and proceed to process the call based on the call processing
information 25 associated with that given identity. For instance: where the
processing information 25 associated with the given one of the identities
indicates that any outgoing call originated by that identity is to be
specific CLID information identifying that identity (e.g., a name of the given
the users 121...124), the processing entity 30 may cause the routing entity 32
display of this specific CLID information on a called party's device; where
relates to a speed calling feature specific to this identity, the processing
enable the given one of the users 121...124 to use speed calling codes
this speed calling feature to place the call; where the call processing
associated with the given one of the identities 211...215 indicates that the
information 37 associated with that given identity can be used when an
is originated by that given identity, the processing entity 30 may enable the
of the users 121...124 to specify a particular contact for which the outgoing
intended (e.g., by selecting the particular contact from an audio or displayed
contacts or by speaking a voice command identifying the particular contact);
the call processing information 25 associated with the given one of the
211...215 relates to one or more outgoing call telephony features (e.g., a
blocking feature, an outgoing call barring feature, etc.) to be applied to any
originated by that identity, the processing entity 30 may cause these one or
outgoing call telephony features to be applied; and so on.
The processing entity 30 may identify a given one of the identities 211...215
designating a given one of the users 121 ...124 that originates a given call
ways in various embodiments. For example, in some cases, the processing entity
may identify the given one of the identities 211...215 based on the (hidden)
of the given one of the communication devices 141...148 that has been used to
originate the given call. In other cases, the processing entity 30 may
identify the given
one of the identities 211..115 based on information provided by the given one
users 121...124 when originating the call, such as a name, an identity number
(e.g., conveyed by one or more DTMF tones transmitted by the given one of the
communication devices 141...148 in response to one or more buttons thereof
pressed), and/or a voiceprint. In yet other cases, the processing entity 30
the given one of the identities 211...215 based on a signal received from the
of the communication devices 141...148 that has been used to originate the
as a result of the given one of the users 121...124 pressing on one or more
buttons (e.g., physical buttons, soft buttons, or graphical buttons) or
manually interacting with the given one of the communication devices 141...148
order to specify that given identity.
In addition to facilitating processing of calls involving the users 121...124,
of identities 211 ...215 allows the users 121...124 to manage their
needs in a flexible and convenient way. A few examples of this flexibility and
convenience will now be illustrated with reference to Figure 4, which shows a
computing device 70 that can be used by the users 121...124 to access and
with a data network site (e.g., a web site) implemented by a computing element
the call processing system 20.
In some embodiments, the computing device 70 may be implemented as a personal
computer (PC) such as a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a tablet PC.
computing device 70 is provided with at least one input device such as a
keyboard, a
mouse, a touchscreen, a stylus, a microphone, etc., as well as a display and
one or more other output devices (e.g., speakers) that enable interaction of
121...124 with the computing device 70. The computing device 70 may be
to run a software application implementing a network browser (e.g., a web
with which the users 121...124 can interact via the display (and possibly one
other output devices) and the at least one input device in order to access and
with the data network site implemented by the computing element 72. Although
shown as a distinct component in Figure 4, in some embodiments, and depending
functionality of the communication devices 141...148, the computing device 70
be implemented by one of these communication devices (e.g., the communication
device 146).
The computing element 72 may be implemented as a server (e.g., a web server)
operative to communicate with the computing device 70 via a data network
74. Although they are shown as distinct components in Figure 4, in some
embodiments, the computing element 72 and the processing element 24 may be
functional elements implemented by a common network component of the call
processing system 20.
The data network site implemented by the computing element 72 enables one or
of the users 121...124 to manage the identities 211...215 defined in
record 2003 maintained in the database 36. For example, the data network site
provide one or more pages (e.g., web pages) with functions and controls (e.g.,
selection tools, text input fields, etc.) allowing one or more of the users
121...124 to:
configure (e.g., provide and/or modify) information associated with any one of
identities 211...215 (e.g., call processing information 25, contact
information 37,
and/or identity identification information 31 associated with that identity);
an additional identity, in addition to the group of identities 211...215, with
telephone number (555) 555-1234; and/or associate another telephone number, in
addition to the telephone number (555) 555-1234, with one or more of the
2 11...2 15. In some cases, each of the users 121...124 may be allowed to
management operations via the data network site for any of the identities
211...215. In
other cases, such management operations may be performed in respect of some or
of the identities 211...215 only by one or more of the users 121...124
so (e.g., the users 121 and 122), in which case the data network site may
authentication process to allow these one or more authorized users to manage
identities 211...215.
A few examples of how the users 12i ...124 can use the computing device 70 to
and interact with the data network site implemented by the computing element
order to manage the identities 211...215 will now be illustrated.
Example 1: Configuring information associated with an identity
As a first example, one or more of the users 121...124 may use the computing
70 to access and interact with the data network site implemented by the
element 72 in order to configure (e.g., provide and/or modify) information
with any one of the identities 211...215. For instance, by using controls and
provided by the data network site, a given one of the users 121...124 may:
the call processing information 25 associated with any one of the identities
(e.g., specify or modify one or more routing operations to be performed for
calls intended for that identity, enable, disable or modify application of one
telephony features to calls involving that identity, etc.); configure the
information 37 associated with any one of the identities 211...215 (e.g., add
one or more contacts, change a telephone number of a given contact, import one
more contacts from another address book or service such as Hotmae or Google
Tallj, etc.); and/or configure the identity identification information 31
any one of the identities 21]...215 (e.g., change a name or other identifier
identify that identity). The given one of the users 121...124 may effect such
configuration operations during an initial provisioning phase or at any time
Example 2: Associating an additional telephone number to one or more
As a second example, in some situations, it may be desired to associate an
telephone number, in addition to the telephone number (555) 555-1234, to one
more of the identities 211...215 such that a party designated by each of these
more identities is reachable by placing a call to either the telephone number
555-1234 or the additional telephone number.
For instance, Figure 4 illustrates an example situation in which the user 123
son) is moving to an area remote from the residence 18 and its surrounding
he has been living. For purposes of this example, it is assumed that the user
moving to a different city (possibly in a different country), corresponding to
different area code, in order to attend university. It is further assumed
that, as a result
of this move, the user 123 acquires a new communication device 149, which may
wired POTS phone, a wireless phone, a VolP phone, an ATA-equipped POTS phone,
a softphone, a telephony-enabled television unit, or any other suitable
device usable to effect telephonic communications.
In this case, upon acquiring the communication device 149, the user 123
new telephone number, which for purposes of this example is assumed to be
555-3456, identifying the communication device 149. The telephone number (444)
555-3456 may be given to friends or other contacts of the user 123 which are
around the city to which the user 123 has moved, thus making it easier for
friends or other contacts to call the user 123 without incurring long distance
The user 123 may then use the computing device 70 to access and interact with
data network site implemented by the computing element 72 in order to reflect
availability of the telephone number (444) 555-3456 to which can be placed
intended for the user 123. For example, by using controls and functions
the data network site, the user 123 may specify that the telephone number
(444) 555-
3456 is associated with the identity 214 which designates the user 123. This
computing element 72 (or another element of the call processing system 20) to
in the database 36 an association between the telephone number (444) 555-3456
the identity 214, as conceptually illustrated in Figure 5 where the telephone
(444) 555-3456 is denoted by reference numeral 27.
With the telephone number (444) 555-3456 being associated with the identity
214, the
information associated with that identity, including the call processing
and the contact information 37, is effectively linked to both the telephone
(555) 555-1234 and the telephone number (444) 555-3456. This provides several
For example, the user 123 is reachable by placing a call to either the
(555) 555-1234 or the telephone number (444) 555-3456. Thus, friends or other
contacts of the user 123 which are in or around the city to which the user 123
moved can reach the user 123 by calling the telephone number (444) 555-3456
without incurring long distance charges, while friends or other contacts of
the user 123
which are in or around the residence 18 and its surrounding area where the
had been living can still reach the user 123 by calling the telephone number
As another example, the processing operation information 23 associated with
identity 214, which specifies one or more operations to be performed by the
processing system 20 to process calls intended for or originated by that
identity, is
applied to the telephone number (444) 555-3456 without the user 123 having to
configure similar or identical processing operation information specifically
purposes of the telephone number (444) 555-3456. For instance, one or more
rules defined by the processing operation information 23 associated with the
214 and/or one or more telephony features subscribed to by the user 123 are
calls placed to the telephone number (444) 555-3456 and/or originated using
communication device 149, without the user 123 having to go through a new
provisioning phase specifically for the telephone number (444) 555-3456. It is
that, in some cases, upon interacting with the data network site implemented
computing element 72 in order to specify that the telephone number (444) 555-
3456 is
associated with the identity 214, the user 123 may modify the call processing
information 25 associated with that identity in order to take into account his
away (e.g., the user 123 may modify the processing operation information 23 so
indicates that any call placed to the telephone number (444) 555-3456 is to be
first to the communication device 149). Similarly, the contact information 37
associated with the identity 214 is available to the user 123, for instance,
the communication device 149 to originate an outgoing call, without the user
having to provide this contact information once more.
As yet another example, since the telephone number (444) 555-3456 is linked to
record 200j, the subscriber associated with that record may be billed in a
manner (e.g., by receiving a single bill) for charges incurred for
services in relation to both the telephone number (555) 555-1234 and the
number (444) 555-3456, thereby simplifying the billing process from the
perspective. However, while in this embodiment the association between the
telephone number (444) 555-3456 and the identity 214 is maintained as part of
record 200i of the database 36, in other embodiments, this association may be
maintained as part of another one of the records 2001...200m of the database
While in this example situation the user 123 acquires the telephone number
3456 upon acquiring the communication device 149, it will be appreciated that
other example situations the user 123 may acquire this telephone number
acquiring any new communication device. For instance, in some cases, the user
may bring with him the communication device 147 when moving away, in which
the user 123 may, upon interacting with the data network site implemented by
computing element 72 to specify that the telephone number (444) 555-3456 is
associated with the identity 214, have calls placed to the telephone number
3456 routed first to the communication device 147.
Also, while in this example situation it is desired to associate the telephone
(444) 555-3456, in addition to the telephone number (555) 555-1234, with the
214 due to the user 123 moving away to a different city, it will be recognized
various other situations can arise where it may be desired or needed to
additional telephone number, in addition to the telephone number (555) 555-
1234, to
one or more of the identities 211...215 such that a party designated by each
one or more identities is reachable by placing a call to either the telephone
(555) 555-1234 or the additional telephone number. For example, the family
by the users 121...124 may have other family members (e.g., extended family
members) living in a remote city (possibly in a remote country) corresponding
different area code, in which case the family formed by the users 121...124
to associate an additional telephone number, which is a local telephone number
remote city, to one or more of the identities 211...215 in order to make it
these other family members to call the users 121...124 without incurring long
charges. As another example, upon registering to associate the telephone
(555) 555-1234 to the group of identities 211...215, one or more of the users
may already have one or more original telephone numbers at which they could be
reached (e.g., an original telephone number associated with the communication
141, an original telephone number associated with the communication device
142, an
original telephone number associated with the communication devices 143...146,
in which case these one or more original telephone numbers may be associated,
addition to the telephone number (555) 555-1234, to one or more of the
211...215 such that callers calling these one or more original telephone
still reach the one or more of the users 121...124.
Example 3: Associating an additional identity to a telephone number
As a third example, in some situations, it may be desired to associate an
identity, in addition to the group of identities 211...215, with the telephone
(555) 555-1234 such that a party designated by the additional identity is
placing a call to the telephone number (555) 555-1234.
For instance, Figure 4 illustrates an example situation in which a user 125
purposes of this example, is assumed to be a grandmother of the users 123 and
(i.e., a mother of the user 121 or the user 122) is moving in with the family
residence 18. It is further assumed that, as a result of this move, the user
provided with a new communication device 1410, which, in this case, is a VoIP
located in a bedroom of the residence 18 which has been set up for the user
other cases, the communication device 1410 may be a wired POTS phone, a
unit, or any other suitable communication device usable to effect telephonic
As the user 125 is moving into the residence 18, it is desired to associate an
identity, which designates the user 125, with the telephone number (555) 555-
that is already associated with the group of identities 211...215.
Accordingly, the user
125 or one of the users 121...124 may use the computing device 70 to access
interact with the data network site implemented by the computing element 72 in
to associate an additional identity designating the user 125 with the
(555) 555-1234. For example, by using controls and functions provided by the
network site, the user 125 or one of the users 121...124 may associate an
identity designating the user 125 with the telephone number (555) 555-1234.
causes the computing element 72 (or another element of the call processing
20) to create in the database 36 an association between the telephone number
555-1234 and an identity 216 which designates the user 125, as conceptually
In some cases, the identity 216 may be a new identity created by the user 125
the users 121...124 while interacting with the data network site implemented
computing element 72 using the computing device 70. For example, by using
and functions provided by the data network site, the user 125 or one of the
121...124 may configure information associated with the identity 216. More
particularly, the user 125 or one of the users 121...124 may interact with the
network site to: provide call processing information 25 associated with the
216 (e.g., specify one or more routing operations to be performed for incoming
intended for the user 125, enable application of one or more telephony
features to calls
involving the user 125, etc.); provide contact information 37 associated with
identity 216 (e.g., add one or more contacts of the user 125); and/or provide
identification information 31 identifying the identity 216 (e.g., specify a
identifier serving to identify that identity). For instance, in this example
call processing information 25 associated with the identity 216 may indicate
call intended for that identity is to be first routed to the communication
device 1410
(i.e., the VolP phone in the grandmother's bedroom at the residence 18) and,
answered within a certain period of time (e.g., a certain number of rings),
to the communication device 143 (i.e., the VolP phone located in the common
the residence 18).
In other cases, the identity 216 may be an already-existing identity
user 125 that had been previously created for the user 125 within the call
system 20. For example, the user 125 may already be a subscriber to
services provided by the service provider operating the call processing system
may have had the identity 216 set up as part of an earlier provisioning phase
service provider during which information associated with that identity (e.g.,
processing information 25, contact information 37, and/or identity
information 31 associated with that identity) had been configured. In such
while using the computing device 70 to interact with the data network site
implemented by the computing element 72, the user 125 or one of the users 121-
may specify that the (already-existing) identity 216 is to be associated with
telephone number (555) 555-1234. Also, in some situations, prior to being
with the telephone number (555) 555-1234 as a result of the user 125 moving
residence 18, the (already-existing) identity 216 may have been associated
original telephone number of the user 125. In these situations, while
the data network site to specify that the (already-existing) identity 216 is
associated with the telephone number (555) 555-1234, the user 125 or one of
12i ...124 may remove a previous association between the identity 216 and the
telephone number of the user 125 or may keep this previous association such
user 125 is reachable by placing a call to either the telephone number (555)
or her original telephone number.
Thus, in this example situation where the user 125 is moving in with the
at the residence 18, the association of the identity 216, in addition to the
identities 211...215, with the telephone number (555) 555-1234 (either by
identity 216 or by accessing it if it already exists) enables convenient and
handling of calls involving the user 125 in her new living environment. Also,
identity 216 is associated with the telephone number (555) 555-1234 that is
the record 200i, the subscriber associated with that record may be billed in a
consolidated manner (e.g., by receiving a single bill) for charges incurred
communication services used by the user 125 as well as the users 121...124,
simplifying the billing process from the subscriber's perspective.
While in this example situation it is desired to associate the identity 216,
the group of identities 211...215, with the telephone number (555) 555-1234
user 125 moving in with the family formed by the users 121...124, it will be
recognized that various other situations can arise where it may be desired or
associate an additional identity to the telephone number (555) 555-1234, in
the group of identities 211...215, such that a party designated by the
is reachable by placing a call to the telephone number (555) 555-1234
It will thus be appreciated that, by interacting with the data network site
by the computing element 72, the users 121...124 (and/or other users such as
125) can manage the identities 211...215 (and/or other identities such as the
216) associated with the telephone number (555) 555-1234 (and/or one or more
telephone numbers such as the telephone number (444) 555-3456) in a flexible
It will also be appreciated that, while in embodiments considered above the
121...124 can manage the identities 211...215 by using the computing device 70
access and interact with the data network site implemented by the computing
72, in other embodiments, the users 121...124 may interact with the service
operating the call processing system 20 in other ways in order to effect these
management activities. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the
121...124 may interact in person, via phone or otherwise with a representative
service provider in order to manage the identities 211...215.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that, in some embodiments, certain
functionality of a given element described herein (e.g., the processing
element 24)
may be implemented as pre-programmed hardware or firmware components (e.g.,
read-only memories (EEPROMs), etc.) or other related components. In other
embodiments, a given element described herein (e.g., the processing element
comprise a processor having access to a memory which stores program
for operation of the processor to implement functionality of that given
program instructions may be stored on a data storage medium that is fixed,
and readable directly by the given element. The data storage medium may store
optically (e.g., an optical disk such as a CD-ROM or a DVD), magnetically
hard disk drive, a removable diskette), electrically (e.g., semiconductor
floating-gate transistor memory, etc.), or in various other ways.
program instructions may be stored remotely but transmittable to the given
via a modem or other interface device connected to a network over a
medium. The transmission medium may be either a tangible medium (e.g., optical
analog communications lines) or a medium implemented using wireless techniques
(e.g., microwave, infrared or other wireless transmission schemes).
(86) PCT Filing Date 2007-12-27
Last Payment 2019-11-07 $250.00
Next Payment if small entity fee 2020-12-29 $125.00
Next Payment if standard fee 2020-12-29 $250.00
Request for Examination $200.00 2010-02-05
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 2 2009-12-29 $100.00 2010-02-05
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 3 2010-12-29 $100.00 2010-07-22
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 4 2011-12-28 $100.00 2011-12-20
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 5 2012-12-27 $200.00 2012-12-18
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 6 2013-12-27 $200.00 2013-12-23
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 7 2014-12-29 $200.00 2014-12-12
Final Fee $300.00 2015-08-26
Maintenance Fee - Application - New Act 8 2015-12-29 $200.00 2015-11-09
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 9 2016-12-28 $200.00 2016-12-13
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 10 2017-12-27 $250.00 2017-12-19
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 11 2018-12-27 $450.00 2019-02-19
Maintenance Fee - Patent - New Act 12 2019-12-27 $250.00 2019-11-07
ARCHER, NATHAN GERALD
ARSENAULT, JONATHAN ALLAN
LESSARD, YANNICK
NGUYEN, LUAN CAO TUONG
ROGERS, DANICA
WOLF, ERIC JOHN
Abstract 2010-02-05 1 80
Claims 2010-02-05 29 1,253
Description 2010-02-05 46 2,388
Drawings 2010-02-05 6 163
Representative Drawing 2010-04-28 1 19
Cover Page 2010-04-28 2 66
Claims 2013-06-05 25 1,004
Description 2014-08-07 48 2,516
Claims 2014-08-07 16 692
Cover Page 2015-10-27 1 60
PCT 2010-02-05 3 119
Assignment 2010-02-05 3 100
Assignment 2010-02-26 7 289
Correspondence 2010-05-05 1 16
Prosecution-Amendment 2012-12-10 2 81
Prosecution-Amendment 2014-02-07 5 255
Prosecution-Amendment 2013-06-05 30 1,158
Prosecution-Amendment 2014-08-07 29 1,223
Correspondence 2015-08-26 2 51
Fees 2016-12-13 1 30