Patent Application
20080159502
This invention relates generally to managing calls in a communication network, and more particularly, to a method and system for providing caller identification information.
In accordance with existing techniques, a docking system can be used to establish a communication link between communication devices. The docking system enables transmission and synchronization of data between the connected communication devices. Use of a docking system allows a user to make calls with accessory handsets using the network of the mobile telephone in the docking system. When an accessory handset makes a call, the caller ID number of the mobile telephone is sent for display on the called device. A user may want to use an accessory handset (for ease of use) but wishes to avail of the call rates applicable to the mobile telephone. For example, the cost of long-distance calls from a mobile telephone may be a lower cost alternative due to the contract plans of mobile telephone service providers. In this docking system, a cellular telephone can be used to make calls, but the calls can be managed by using connected wired telephone systems.
In view of the foregoing details, there exists a need for a method and system that can provide flexibility to a user to configure and send alternate caller identification information.
The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, and which, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages, all in accordance with the present invention.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, to help in improving an understanding of embodiments of the present invention.
Before describing in detail the particular method and system for managing calls from a docking system, in accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to the method and system for managing calls from the docking system. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention, so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the description herein.
In this document, relational terms such as first and second, and the like, may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, without necessarily requiring or implying any actual relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising”, or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements that are not expressly listed or inherent in such a process, method, article or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or apparatus that comprises the element. The term “another,” as used in this document, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “includes” and/or “having”, as used herein, are defined as comprising.
In one embodiment, a method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for providing caller identification information is disclosed. One or more valid alternate phone numbers is configured using a remote interface. The one or more valid alternate phone numbers are then stored.
In another embodiment, a method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for providing caller identification information is disclosed. One or more valid alternate phone numbers is configured using a local interface. The one or more valid alternate phone numbers are then stored.
In another embodiment, a method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for providing caller identification information is disclosed. A phone number is selected from a plurality of valid phone numbers comprising a primary phone number and one or more alternate phone numbers. The selected phone number is sent when placing a call.
In one embodiment, a local interface 208 is used to configure one or more valid alternate telephone numbers. The valid alternate telephone numbers may be stored in memory 206. The valid alternate telephone numbers may also be stored in the accessory handset 115, 120.
In another embodiment local interface 208 is used to select a phone number from a plurality of valid phone numbers comprising a primary phone number and one or more alternate phone numbers. When a call is placed, the selected phone number is sent as caller identification information. In one embodiment, the selected phone number is chosen using a local interface 208. In another embodiment, the selected phone number is chosen from a list of the plurality of valid phone numbers using the local interface.
In one embodiment, a remote interface, e.g., accessory handset 115, 120 is used to configure one or more valid alternate telephone numbers. The valid alternate telephone numbers may be stored in memory 306. The valid alternate telephone numbers may also be stored in docking system 105.
In another embodiment the remote interface is used to select a phone number from a plurality of valid phone numbers comprising a primary phone number and one or more alternate phone numbers. When a call is placed, the selected phone number is sent as caller identification information. In one embodiment, the selected phone number is chosen using a local interface 208. In another embodiment, the selected phone number is chosen from a list of the plurality of valid phone numbers using the remote interface.
The method is initiated at step 402. At step 404, one or more valid alternate phone numbers is configured using a remote interface. In one embodiment, the remote interface comprises an accessory handset 115, 120.
At step 406, the one or more valid alternate phone numbers is stored. In one embodiment, the one or more valid alternate phone numbers is stored at the remote interface 115, 120. In another embodiment, the one or more alternate phone numbers is stored at docking system 105.
In an embodiment, the method can be implemented in a computer-readable storage element with a computer-readable code stored thereon, to program a computer to perform the method. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 408.
The method is initiated at step 502. At step 404, one or more valid alternate phone numbers is configured using a local interface. In one embodiment, the local interface comprises docking system 105.
At step 506, the one or more valid alternate phone numbers is stored. In one embodiment, the one or more valid alternate phone numbers is stored at the remote interface 115, 120. In another embodiment, the one or more alternate phone numbers is stored at docking system 105.
In an embodiment, the method can be implemented in a computer-readable storage element with a computer-readable code stored thereon, to program a computer to perform the method. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 508.
The method is initiated at step 602. At step 604, a phone number to send as caller identification information is selected from a plurality of valid phone numbers comprising a primary phone number and one or more alternate telephone numbers. The primary phone number may comprise a mobile telephone number of a user. An example of an alternate telephone number may be a home telephone number of a user. The plurality of valid phone numbers may be stored in memory 206 or memory 306. The phone number to send as caller identification information may be selected at a local interface, e.g. docking system 105. The phone number to send as caller identification information may also be selected from a list of valid telephone numbers using either a remote interface at accessory handset 115, 120 or a local interface at docking system 105.
At step 606, the selected phone number is sent as caller identification information when a call is placed. In one embodiment, the method can be implemented in a computer-readable storage element with a computer-readable code stored thereon, to program a computer to perform the method. Thereafter, the method terminates at step 608.
Various embodiments, as described above, provide a method and system for managing calls through a docking system. A user of a mobile telephone can send the caller identification of the local telephone communication system to other electronic devices in the telephone network by using a docking system. This is useful when the user wants to place a call using the mobile telephone network but wishes to receive calls on the local telephone communication system because of the cheaper call-rate plan offered by the local telephone communication system. Further, sending the local telephone communication system number enables the user to communicate through the local telephone communication system in the event of the battery of the mobile telephone getting discharged or while encountering problems pertaining to a weak signal reception on the mobile telephone.
A user may also find it useful to send a home number as an alternate caller identification number in the event of an emergency. If there is an emergency and the user makes an emergency call to a 911 service, since the user's home number is sent as caller identification information instead of the mobile telephone number, the 911 operator is able to quickly and accurately identify the location of the caller.
It will be appreciated that the method and system for managing calls from the docking system described herein may comprise one or more conventional processors and unique stored program instructions that control the one or more processors, to implement, in conjunction with certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of the system described herein. The non-processor circuits may include, but are not limited to, signal drivers, clock circuits, power-source circuits, and user-input devices. Therefore, these functions may be interpreted as steps of a method that enables users to view a broadcasted media stream differently. Alternatively, some or all the functions could be implemented by a state machine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each function, or some combinations of certain of the functions, are implemented as custom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could also be used. Thus, methods and means for these functions have been described herein.
It is expected that one with ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, the available time, current technology and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein, will be readily capable of generating such software instructions, programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.
In the foregoing specification, the invention and its benefits and advantages have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, one with ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims, including any amendments made during the pendency of this application, and all equivalents of those claims, as issued.
