Patent ID: 8483773

Claim:
A method of controlling a call alert for an incoming call to a stationary personal telecommunication device, the method comprising: determining whether a call alert extender function for the stationary personal telecommunication device is enabled for an incoming call to the stationary personal telecommunication device; receiving, by a presence sensor, a user presence detect signal indicating that a potential user of the stationary personal telecommunication device is in physical proximity to the presence sensor, wherein the presence sensor and the stationary personal telecommunication device are physically separate, and wherein the receipt of the user presence detect signal indicates that the potential user requires an extended call alert count in order to reach the stationary personal telecommunication device prior to the personal telecommunication device switching to voicemail; and setting the extended call alert count associated with the call alert extender function for the mobile personal telecommunication device in response to the call alert extender function being enabled and user presence detect signal being received.