Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02363164 2001-08-16
Method for forwarding telephone calls and/or addressed files which are sent
out electronically via local or global networks
Description
The invention relates to a method for forwarding telephone calls
and/or addressed files which are sent out electronically via local or
global networks. Files can be sent out electronically via telephone Lines
as faxes. However, the term used should also include e-mails, where any
other types of files, e.g. images, graphics, video or sound files,
programs, etc., can also be sent out in addition to texts.
It is known for the directory number of a number of receiving
devices to be stored at one identification number and for incoming
telephone calls or files which are addressed with the identification number
as destination number to be forwarded to at least one receiving device,
the directory number of which is stored at the identification number. By
inputting the corresponding directory number, the user can define the
device to which incoming telephone calls or faxes are to be forwarded. The
instruction for the forwarding can be input via the keypad of a telephone
which is set up for a digital data transmission or for multifrequency
dialing (DTMF). For this purpose, forwarding must be activated and the
desired telephone number must be input as destination number via the keypad
of the telephone. The user-guided input of multi-digit directory numbers is
complicated and associated with great time expenditure which impairs the
use of the function.
In the document GB 2 315 191, a forwarding method is described in
which a list of possible forwarding destinations is generated by the user
by means of a procedure or corresponding key. This list is stored at a
central location (e. g. in a switching system) and processed in accordance
with the forwarding sequence specified. The order is dynamically adapted in
accordance with time (hours and days of the week) and hit probability of
the forwarded calls, and stored in a "service profile".
AMENDED SHEET
- la -
The document EP 0 498 593 describes a call forwarding system in
which a forwarding list can be programmed. This list is processed in such a
manner that the call is forwarded to the first number of the forwarding
list and processes a particular (programmed) number of calls. If the
handset is not picked up (or the telephone is busy), the call is forwarded
to the second number of the list, etc. The forwarding list is stored in a
"Service Control Processor" (SCP).
The document W098/26621 discloses a method and system of call
forwarding in which a forwarding list is also used; in this case with the
possibility that various services (e.g. voice, data or fax) can be
forwarded to different destinations. For this purpose, one forwarding list
is stored for each service.
The invention is based on the object of developing the method
described initially, in such a manner that the instruction for forwarding
incoming telephone calls and/or electronic files to directory numbers of
devices which are frequently used alternately in practice, can be input and
changed in a simple and rapid manner.
On the basis of a method for forwarding telephone calls, faxes and
the like, in which the directory numbers of a number of receiving devices
are stored under a single identification number and incoming telephones
calls and files which are addressed with the identification number as
destination number are forwarded to at least one receiving device,
AMENDED SHEET
CA 02363164 2001-08-16
- 2 -
the directory number of which is stored under the identification number,
the object is achieved, in accordance with the invention, in that
the storage spaces for the directory numbers are in each case permanently
allocated to one key on the keypad of a telephone set up for digital data
transmission or for a multifrequency dialing method, and
a forwarding sequence for accessing the storage spaces is predetermined by
the order in which the keys are operated after having previously been
activated by an input code, the input of the forwarding sequence is stored
and terminated by pressing a key of the telephone which triggers a
delimiting signal, and
the storage spaces are interrogated in the input forwarding sequence if a
telephone call or a file is received under the identification number, and
the telephone call or the file is forwarded to the directory number stored
in the relevant storage space.
The invention is based on the consideration that persons can be
reached predominantly either via devices which are installed at home or in
the office and operate in the landline network, or via a mobile telephone,
and user-friendly handling of the forwarding function is possible if the
directory numbers of the devices predominantly used in practice are
permanently allocated to storage spaces and the order in which the storage
spaces or, respectively, the directory numbers stored there are selected in
the course of the forwarding can be flexibly determined by the user.
According to the invention, this is achieved by allocating a particular key
on the telephone keypad to each storage space and predetermining the
forwarding sequence by means of the order in which the keys are operated in
the course of the input mode. The user, by operating the keys, determines
the directory numbers which are activated in the case of forwarding and the
order in which the connection is set up.
The method can be conducted in such a manner that during the
forwarding, a further interrogation of the storage spaces is ended as soon
as a connection has been established to one of the stored
CA 02363164 2001-08-16
- 3 -
directory numbers . The method is suitably also conducted in such a manner
that incoming telephone calls are forwarded to a mailbox if the forwarding
sequence is deactivated by triggering an identification or no connection to
one of the directory numbers successively dialed as determined by the
forwarding sequence is established.
Dual allocation of keys of the telephone keypad is required if, in
addition to a plurality of storage spaces for telephone numbers, a number
of storage spaces is also provided for directory numbers of fax devices and
devices for electronic data processing. Within the context of the teaching
according to the invention, the forwarding sequence for the directory
numbers of fax devices and devices for electronic data processing is
preferably input by operating the keys allocated to the telephone numbers
in combination with an additional key which outputs an identification
signal for the type of data communication. The storage spaces for the
directory numbers of telephone devices, fax devices and data processing
devices which are operated in close vicinity, e.g. in a private household,
can be allocated to the same key, in which arrangement the key for the
identification signal must be additionally pressed for inputting the
forwarding sequence to fax devices and data processing devices. During the
input of the forwarding sequence, the user has the possibility of
differently determining the forwarding for telefax devices and telephone
devices.
The user has the possibility of changing all directory numbers via
the keypad of the telephone after having previously input an
identification. Three keys are suitably occupied by directory numbers which
are not changed or are only changed rarely. The storage spaces of these
keys are suitably reserved for directory numbers of devices at home and in
the office which are operated in the landline network, and for a mobile
radio connection. The storage space allocated to the fourth key can be used
for destination numbers which are frequently changed by the user. The four
keys are preferably arranged in a square, the preferred specifications for
the keys being the numbers "4", "2", "6" and "8". These digits are
associated with the letters "H" (for home), "O" (for office), "M" (for
mobile radio) and "V" (for variable connection). Other arrangements,
preferably in a square, should not be excluded. Finally, it is within the
scope of the invention that telephone devices are used whose keypad has
additional station keys for setting the forwarding sequence, in which
arrangement the station keys and the keys of the
CA 02363164 2001-08-16
- 4 -
standard keypad allocated to the storage spaces outputting the same
signals. This ensures that the method can be operated both with
conventional operating telephone devices and telephone devices which have
additional station keys and that the devices can also be used in
combination.
CA 02363164 2001-08-16
