Telephonic communications – Plural exchange network or interconnection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-22
2001-01-09
Zele, Krista (Department: 2742)
Telephonic communications
Plural exchange network or interconnection
C379S211010, C379S219000, C379S220010, C379S221050, C379S088230
Reexamination Certificate
active
06173050
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to telecommunications systems, and more particularly, relates to a system for activation of an enhanced telecommunication service.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As the world of telecommunications becomes increasingly more sophisticated, society reaps the benefits through new, improved, and/or enhanced telecommunication services, as well as more service choices. These enhanced telecommunication services include voice mail, audio name screening, flexible call forwarding (FCF), and deluxe calling name delivery. These enhanced telecommunication services are available to a user of a modem public switched telephone network (PSTN) and are considered valuable services by many subscribers because they enhance conventional telephone service. For example, when the FCF service is activated by a subscriber/called party, the FCF service forwards a call directed to a called party number to terminating equipment associated with a directory number that the called party has chosen. Typically, the called party must activate the FCF service by entering a feature code and dialing a forwarding directory number. The FCF service thereafter forwards calls to a forwarding telephone number. Without this initial activation of the FCF service by the subscriber, call forwarding does not occur. The necessity of activating the FCF service oftentimes can be burdensome to the subscriber who only needs basic call coverage when the subscriber is away. Providing an enhanced telecommunication service that does not require this initial activation of the service by the subscriber would be considered valuable and convenient by many subscribers.
In some enhanced telecommunication services, the subscriber is charged with the responsibility of remembering to initially activate the enhanced telecommunication service to have access to its features and to receive its benefits. Activation of the enhanced telecommunication service usually is executed by hand. For example, the subscriber can dial via a telephone keypad a feature code that is associated with the enhanced telecommunication service. The feature code is recognized in association with the enhanced telecommunication service and causes the enhanced telecommunication service to be activated. A similar process typically is performed to turn off the enhanced telecommunication service. By requiring the entry of the feature code to activate the enhanced telecommunication service, the service can only be used if the subscriber remembers to activate it.
In other words, the enhanced telecommunication service is activated only as a result of an action by the subscriber. The subscriber typically activates the service by dialing a feature code. Hence, if the subscriber does not remember to enter the feature code, the subscriber cannot benefit from the service.
For example, the subscriber may subscribe to the FCF service at her business location. In this example, the FCF service provides the benefit of being able to forward calls from the business location to another location, such as to a cellular telephone, an answering service, or the subscriber's home, especially when calls may not be answered, like after business hours. However, each day at the close of business, the subscriber has to remember to activate the FCF service. Unfortunately, the subscriber occasionally may forget to activate the FCF service, thereby missing important calls or potential business. The FCF service does not provide for activating the service without entering the feature code or dialing a directory number.
In addition, when activated, some enhanced telecommunication services do not become operative until after a specific time period, for example, the time it takes for three rings to occur. This delay occurs for each call and can be a nuisance. For example, during business hours, a subscriber may prefer to answer all incoming calls and allow waiting callers to hear a busy signal. During this time frame, there are no enhanced telecommunication services in use. However, if the subscriber were to leave abruptly, or close for the night, the subscriber may want all calls to be forwarded to another location to greet the caller. To engage forwarding and immediately transfer the subscriber's calls, a subscriber would have to take action to engage the FCF service. Otherwise, calls would be first routed to the subscriber's business for a specific period of time before a “no answer” forwarding signal would send the call elsewhere. The delay in sending the call to a location where it can be answered may cause callers to hang-up prematurely and can adversely affect the business.
Therefore, there is a need for a system and method for activating an enhanced telecommunication service without direct action by the subscriber/called party.
There is also a need for a system and method for immediately handling calls after an enhanced telecommunication service is activated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the above-described needs by providing a system and method for activation of an enhanced telecommunication service without a turn-on call by a subscriber. The present invention is described in the AIN environment, where an enhanced telecommunication service is set up for a directory number. The enhanced telecommunication service has an active state wherein the enhanced telecommunication service is applied to calls received for the directory number. The enhanced telecommunication service also has an inactive state wherein the enhanced telecommunication service is not applied to calls received for the directory number.
Advantageously, the present invention activates an enhanced telecommunication service without direct action, such as a turn-on call, by the subscriber/called party. Specifically, the present invention provides the benefit of activating the enhanced telecommunication service upon receipt of a first call to the called party number that encounters a no answer condition at the called party number. Another advantage is the present invention diverts all successive calls directed to the called party number for processing without first routing the call to the line of the called party number. Hence, the successive calls receive the enhanced telecommunication service without encountering the no answer condition.
Generally described, the present invention provides a method for activation of an enhanced telecommunication service without a turn-on call by a subscriber. The first call is directed to the directory number, where the enhanced telecommunication service is in the inactive state. A no answer condition from the directory number is detected with respect to the first call. In response to the detection of the no answer condition, the enhanced telecommunication service changes to the active state. The enhanced telecommunication service is maintained in the active state for successive calls, whereby the enhanced telecommunication service is activated by the detection of the no answer condition for the first call, without the turn-on call from the subscriber, and remains activated for successive calls to the directory number.
With respect to the embodiment described in the immediately preceding paragraph, the enhanced telecommunication service preferably is applied to the successive calls to the directory number. Also, the successive calls preferably are diverted for processing without routing the successive calls to a line of the directory number. Furthermore, after making the detection of the no answer condition with respect to the first call, the first call may be routed to a forwarding directory number designated by the subscriber.
In another embodiment of the present invention, with respect to a first call that encounters a no answer condition, a method for activating an enhanced telecommunication service so that successive calls avoid the no answer condition is provided. A first call directed to a directory number is received. In connection with the first call, a detection of the no answer condition is made from the di
BellSouth Intellectual Property Corporation
Bui Bing
Ewing, IV James L.
Stockton Kilpatrick
Tocups Nora M.
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