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Mobile Phone Patent Abstract
A method for redirecting calls placed to a mobile phone having a
redirect functionality and a second phone via a redirect service,
which includes the steps of sending a redirect service request using
the redirect button on the mobile phone to the second phone, activating
the redirect service by the second phone responsive to the redirect
service request, and redirecting incoming calls to the mobile phone
to the second phone.
Mobile Phone Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for redirecting calls placed to a mobile phone to a
second phone, comprising: initializing call redirection by sending
a redirect service request from the mobile phone to the second phone
using a redirect functionality of the mobile phone; relaying the
redirect service request from the second phone to a redirect service
to activate the redirect service by having the second phone dial
the redirect service and provide phone number of the mobile phone
and the second phone; and redirecting incoming calls with the redirect
service such that calls to the mobile phone are redirected to the
second phone without any communication being sent to the mobile
phone.
2. The method according to claim 1 wherein the redirect functionality
comprises one of a redirect button physically placed on the mobile
phone, a menu selection displayed on the screen of the mobile phone,
or a voice activated mechanism.
3. The method according to claim 1 wherein the second phone comprises
one of a land-line phone, a mobile phone, or an Internet phone.
4. The method according to claim 1 further comprising: determining
whether there is an incoming call to the mobile phone; redirecting
the incoming call to the second phone number when there is an incoming
call; and repeating said step of determining whether there is an
incoming call to the mobile phone until an incoming call is received.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein sending a redirect service request
comprises sending an infrared signal to the second phone.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein sending a redirect service request
comprises sending a radio frequency signal to the second phone.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein sending a redirect service request
comprises sending an analog signal to the second phone.
8. The method according to claim 1 further comprising saving a
redirect order redirecting incoming calls to the mobile phone number
to the second phone number provided to the redirect service.
9. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: determining
whether there is a redirect order saved on the redirect service
upon an incoming call on the mobile phone; sending the incoming
call to the mobile phone number when there is no redirect order
saved; and sending the incoming call to the second phone number
when there is a redirect order saved.
10. The method according to claim 8 further comprising: determining
whether there is a request to terminate the redirect service; and
terminating the redirect service when there is a request to terminate.
11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the termination of
the redirect service is initiated from the redirect functionality
on the mobile phone.
12. A system for redirecting, comprising: a mobile phone having
a redirect functionality that is configured to initiate sending
of a redirect service request to a physically proximate phone so
as to initialize redirection of calls to the physically proximate
phone; a second phone having an associated redirect device that
is configured to receive a redirect service request from a physically
proximate mobile telephone and relay the request to a redirect service
by calling the redirect service and providing a phone number of
the mobile phone and the second phone, the second phone also being
configured to receive redirected incoming calls; a redirect service
that is configured to receive a redirect service request from the
second phone and redirect incoming calls to a mobile phone to the
second phone; and an activator that is configured to activate the
redirect service responsive responsive to a redirect service request
in a manner such that calls to the mobile phone are automatically
redirected to the second phone without requiring action by the mobile
phone.
13. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein said redirect service
request comprises instructions directed to the second phone for
activating the second phone, and the phone number of the mobile
phone.
14. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein said mobile phone
is configured to send an analog signal containing the redirect service
request to the microphone of said second phone.
15. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein said activator is
a redirect service phone number assigned to the redirect service,
wherein said redirect service is activated by the second phone dialing
said redirect service phone number for connection with said redirect
service.
16. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein said mobile phone
and said second phone comprise infrared communication components
that facilitate sending of the redirect service request from said
mobile phone to said second phone.
17. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein said infrared communication
component of said mobile phone is initiated by said redirect functionality
on said mobile phone.
18. The system as defined in claim 16 wherein said mobile phone
is configured to transmit an infrared signal including the redirect
service request and the mobile phone number to said second phone,
said second phone being configured to initiate said activator with
the information received from said mobile phone and the second phone
number responsive to said infrared signal being received.
19. The system as defined in claim 12 wherein said mobile phone
and said second phone comprise radio frequency communication components
that facilitate sending of the redirect signal request from said
mobile phone to said second phone.
20. The system as defined in claim 19 wherein said radio frequency
communication component of said mobile phone is initiated by said
redirect functionality on said mobile phone.
21. The system as defined in claim 19 wherein said mobile phone
is configured to transmit a radio frequency signal including the
redirect service request and the mobile phone number to said second
phone.
22. A method for facilitating call redirection, comprising the
steps of: receiving with a land-line phone a redirect service request
generated by a physically proximate mobile phone having a redirect
functionality; and relaying the redirect service request from the
land-line phone to a redirect service by calling the redirect service
from the land-line phone such that the redirect service will redirect
calls intended for the mobile phone to the land-line telephone without
requiring action by the mobile telephone.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein receiving the redirect service
request comprises: receiving a telephone number of the mobile phone.
24. The method of claim 22, wherein receiving the redirect service
request comprises receiving an infrared signal having the redirect
service request.
25. The method of claim 22, wherein receiving the redirect service
request comprises receiving a radio-frequency signal having the
redirect service request.
26. The method of claim 22, wherein receiving the redirect service
request comprises receiving an analog audio signal having the redirect
service request.
27. The method of claim 22, further comprising: receiving with
the land-line phone a second redirect service request generated
by a physically-proximate mobile phone having a redirect functionality;
and relaying the second redirect service request from the land-line
phone to the redirect service by calling the redirect service from
the land-line phone such that the redirect service will terminate
redirection of calls to the land-line phone.
28. The method of claim 22, wherein relaying the redirect service
request comprises relaying a telephone number of the land-line phone
from the land-line phone to the redirect service.
Mobile Phone Patent Description
The present invention generally relates to an improved method and
system for redirecting calls placed to a mobile phone to a second
phone via a redirect service. More specifically, it relates to an
improved method and system for redirecting calls placed to a mobile
phone having a redirect functionality to a second phone via a redirect
service.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Call forwarding or call redirecting is a common feature of mobile
phones. The call forwarding feature allows the user of a mobile
phone to redirect all incoming calls on the mobile phone to another
designated phone number, such as a land-line phone. This feature
is often utilized by users because, unlike land-line phones, mobile
phones tend to have breakage in their connection. Currently, the
land-line phones generally provide clearer connections. A further
incentive is that the calling rate is often less costly on the land-line
phones, and, unlike mobile phones, they are not battery or reception
limited.
However, in order to request this feature, users must first dial
an activation number code (e.g., *71) from the mobile phone. The
user must then dial the phone number to which the calls should be
redirected. The call forwarding feature is not activated until all
these required numbers are entered.
One problem with the prior method is that activation requires users
to dial at least 10 digits on the mobile phone, which can be bothersome
to many people. Another problem is that the prior method requires
the user to know the actual phone number of the other phone. This
can be easily accomplished if the user is at home or work. However,
it may be a problem when the user cannot obtain the phone number
so easily, such as when the user is working at a customer's site
or staying in a hotel.
Still another problem is that if the mobile phone is out of the
service zones or communication range, users cannot activate the
call forwarding feature, since they are unable to communicate with
their mobile service center. Similarly, when the battery power of
the mobile phone is too low for mobile communications, the call
forwarding feature cannot be activated. There are many problems
and inconveniences with the current method.
Consequently, there is a need for an improved method and system
that can provide a more direct way to activate the call forwarding
feature on a mobile phone while lessening the dependence on reception
and battery power of the mobile phone.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved method and system
for redirecting calls placed to a mobile phone to a second phone
via a redirect service. One embodiment of the present invention
relates to an improved method and system for redirecting calls on
a mobile phone having a redirect functionality to a second phone
via a redirect service.
The present invention in the preferred embodiment provides a method
that includes the steps of requesting the redirect service using
the redirect functionality on the mobile phone, activating the redirect
service responsive to the redirect service request, obtaining the
phone number of the mobile phone by the redirect service, and redirecting
incoming calls on mobile phone to the second phone.
The present invention in another embodiment further provides a
system that includes a second phone for receiving redirected incoming
calls from a mobile phone, a mobile phone having a redirect functionality
for sending a redirect service request to the second phone, an activator
for activating the redirect service using the second phone responsive
to the redirect service request from said mobile phone, and a redirect
service for redirecting incoming calls to the mobile phone to the
second phone.
The present invention in a further embodiment provides another
system for redirecting calls on a mobile phone having a redirect
functionality to a second phone via a redirect service, which includes
a mobile phone being capable of sending a redirect service request
using the redirect functionality on the mobile phone, an activator
being capable of activating the redirect service responsive to the
redirect service request, and a redirect service being capable of
directing incoming calls to the mobile phone to the second phone.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a first phone system embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a second phone system embodying the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a third phone system embodying the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a fourth phone system embodying the present invention;
and,
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating the preferred functionality
of a method of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Broadly stated, the present invention relates to an improved method
and system for redirecting calls placed to a mobile phone to a second
phone via a redirect service. Various embodiments of the present
invention provide ways to activate a redirect service that are simpler
than traditional methods of call forwarding.
Turning now to the drawings, and particularly FIG. 1, one embodiment
of a phone system in which the present method can be implemented
is shown and indicated generally at 10. In the first embodiment,
a mobile phone 12 is linked to a redirect device 14 that is physically
connected to a second phone 16, such as a standard land-line phone.
The mobile phone 12 communicates with the redirect device 14 using
an infrared link between transmitter/receiver units 18, 18' located
in the phone 12 and the device 14. Because the redirect device 14
is connected to the second phone 16, it, in turn, communicates information
from the mobile phone to the second phone. There is preferably a
redirect functionality 20 on the mobile phone 12 to initiate the
redirecting method. While a button is preferred for the implementation
of the redirection functionality 20, it should be understood that
other types of hard and soft buttons may also be used, such as menus
selection displayed on the liquid crystal display ("LCD")
screens of the mobile phone. Furthermore, voice activation is also
contemplated, and these various ways to implement the redirect functionality
are to be understood to be within the scope of the present invention.
When a user wishes to activate a redirect service 22, the user
simply pushes the redirect button 20 located on the mobile phone
12. The mobile phone 12 then sends an infrared signal 24 that includes
a redirect service request 26, which preferably includes the mobile
phone number and information relating to an activator 28 that is
designed to activate the redirect service. The redirect service
request 26 from the mobile phone 12 triggers the second phone to
initiate a connection with the activator 28. In the current embodiments
of the present invention, the activator is preferably a redirect
service phone number. However, as the telephones become more integrated
to computers and the Internet, the activator can be implemented
in numerous ways, such as using a Uniform Resource Locator (URL)
or cell tower, and these other implementations of the activator
28 are within the scope of the present invention.
The second phone 16, in response to the infrared signal 24 sent
from the mobile phone 12, automatically dials the redirect service
phone number, and the redirect service request 26 is sent through
the phone line 30 for activating the redirect service. Once the
redirect service is activated by the redirect service request, it
will obtain the mobile phone number from the redirect service request.
Further, the redirect service also preferably obtains the second
phone's number from its connection with the second phone itself.
The redirect service 22, using the mobile phone's number and the
second phone's number, then accordingly saves a redirect order 32
for redirecting the incoming calls to the mobile phone to the second
phone 34. Consequently, the mobile phone 12 is able to implement
the redirecting of phone calls to the second phone using the redirect
button 20, which activates the sending of an infrared signal of
a redirect service request 36.
When the user is ready to terminate the redirect service, the user
preferably pushes the redirect button 20 again, and a terminate
redirect service message 38 will be transmitted to the second phone
16. The second phone dials the redirect service 22 phone number
to relay the terminated redirect service message 38, and the redirect
service then ends.
A second embodiment of a phone system is shown in FIG. 2 and indicated
generally at 40. Similar to the first embodiment, the present embodiment
uses infrared signals 24. However, in this embodiment, the second
phone 42 is not a standard phone, but rather is one that has a redirect
device 44 with an infrared transmitter/receiver unit 46 configured
in it. In this embodiment, the second phone 44 must be configured
to work with the redirect button 20 on the mobile phone 12.
A third embodiment of a phone system of the present invention is
shown in FIG. 3 and indicated generally at 50. In this embodiment,
a mobile phone 52 is again configured with a redirect button 54.
When a user presses the redirect button 54, the mobile phone 52
is configured to send a radio frequency signal 56 containing a redirect
service request 26 with the mobile phone's number to a second phone
58. Thus, the mobile phone 52 and the second phone 58 are configured
with antennas 60, 60' to effectuate the radio frequency 56 communications.
When the second phone 58 receives the redirect service request
26 from the mobile phone 52, it is configured to contact an activator
62 designed to activate the redirect service 66. Similar to the
previous embodiments, the activator 62 is preferably a redirect
service phone number. In response to the redirect service request,
the second phone 58 then dials the redirect service phone number
(i.e., connecting with the activator) 62 to relay the mobile phone's
number and the second phone's number, via the phone line 30, for
activating the redirect service 22. The redirect service 22 accordingly
saves a redirect order 32 for redirecting incoming calls on the
mobile phone to the second phone 34. As shown, in this embodiment,
the mobile phone can send a radio frequency signal to activate the
redirect service with the use of the redirect button 64. Similarly,
with the use of the radio frequency transmission, the mobile phone
can also send a terminate redirect service message to the second
phone 58, which will then forward the message to the redirect service
22 via the phone line 30.
Turning now to a fourth embodiment of a phone system of the present
invention is shown in FIG. 4 and generally indicated at 70. Similar
to the previous embodiments, the mobile phone 72 is configured to
send the redirect service request 26 to a second phone 74, which
is preferably a standard phone, using a redirect functionality (e.g.,
redirect button) 76. However, in order to work with a standard phone
74, the mobile phone 72 is configured to send the redirect service
request 26 to the standard phone 74 using Dual Tone Multi Frequency
("DTMF") tones 78 upon the redirect button 76 being pushed.
Because the standard phone 74 can receive these DTMF tones 78 through
its handset 80, users must place the handset 80 of the standard
phone, more specifically the microphone of the handset, to the speaker
82 of the mobile phone 72 when these DTMF tones are being transmitted.
Similar to the previous embodiment, the activator 28 is preferably
a redirect service phone number. Consequently, the redirect service
request preferably contains instructions for dialing the redirect
service phone number to activate the redirect service 22. After
being activated, the redirect service obtains the mobile phone's
number from the redirect service request and the standard phone's
number from the connection with the standard phone. Using the phone
numbers obtained, the redirect service saves a redirect order 32
to redirect calls to the standard phone 74. As shown, the redirect
service is initiated using analog signal 84 (e.g., DTMF tones).
However, once the user wishes to terminate the redirect service,
the user only has to push the redirect button 102 again to send
a terminate redirect service message 38 to the redirect service
22. More specifically, in response to the redirect button, the mobile
phone 92 dials the redirect service phone number to relay the terminate
redirect service message 38, and the redirect service 22 will be
terminated. Note that with the current embodiment, the mobile phone
is out of range or low on battery power (i.e., not enough power
to transmit, but sufficient power to audio encode through its speaker),
the mobile phone is able to direct the standard phone negotiate
the redirect order with the redirect service.
Turning to an important aspect of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, a flow chart of the preferred functionality of
a method is shown in FIG. 5, and indicated generally at 100. The
method is initiated by a user desiring to redirect incoming calls
on the mobile phone to a second phone (Block 102). The mobile phone
first sends a redirect service request to the second phone. (Block
104). The redirect button on the mobile phone is generally used
to initiate such a redirect service request to the second phone.
The second phone accordingly activates the redirect service (Block
106) by preferably dialing a redirect phone number contained in
the redirect service request. However, other ways to activate the
redirect service through the second phone can be implemented, and
these other implementations are within the scope of the present
invention.
It is important to note that the present invention allows the mobile
phone to direct a second phone, which can be a standard, to activate
the redirect service. Using a single push of the redirect button,
the redirect service is activated without the user entering any
more information, such as the second phone's number. The present
invention allows for a simpler and more direct use of the redirect
service on a mobile phone, and the activation of the redirect service
is less dependent on the range capability and battery power of the
mobile phone. Furthermore, the present invention allows a way for
the redirect service to obtain the mobile phone's number and the
second phone's number without any user interventions. This available
feature can be very desirable, especially when the user does not
necessarily know the second phone's number for the redirecting service.
The redirect service accordingly obtains the mobile phone number
from the redirect request (Block 108). Since the redirect service
was activated by the second phone, the redirect service, as a result,
is able to obtain the second phone's number through its connection
with the second phone (Block 110), such as caller identification.
Again, it is important to note that users do not necessarily have
to enter any of these numbers. The present invention is configured
so that the redirect service can obtain these numbers without user
intervention.
After the redirect service obtains both the mobile phone's number
(Block 108) and the second phone's number (Block 110), the redirect
service accordingly saves a redirect order for redirecting calls
from the mobile phone's number to the second phone's number (Block
112). Next, the redirect service determines whether there are any
incoming calls on the mobile phone (Block 114). If not, it waits
until there is an incoming call on the mobile phone (Block 116).
The preferred implementation is that the redirect service simply
waits until a call to the mobile phone is received. Otherwise, it
does nothing but wait for a call to come in.
Once an incoming call to the mobile phone does come in (Block 114),
the redirect service determines whether there is a redirect order
saved on the service (Block 116). If not (Block 116), the redirect
service sends the incoming call to the mobile phone (Block 118).
On the other hand, if there is a redirect order saved (Block 116),
the redirect service sends the incoming call to the second phone's
number designated in the redirect order (Block 120). Next, the redirect
service checks whether there is a terminate redirect service message
(Block 122). If so, the redirect service will be accordingly terminated
(Block 124). Otherwise, it waits for another incoming call to the
mobile phone (Block 114).
From the foregoing description, it should be understood that an
improved method and system for redirecting calls to a mobile phone
to a second phone via a redirect service has been shown and described,
which has many desirable attributes and advantages. The method and
system provide a way for users to easily activate the redirect service
without requiring the user to enter the necessary phone numbers
for the redirection. In addition, the present invention is configured
to obtain the phone number to which the calls should be directed.
As a result, the users are no longer required to know the phone
number of the phone to which the user desires to use. Furthermore,
with the use of a redirect functionality located on the mobile phone,
users are enable to direct the second phone to activate the redirect
service, which is less dependent on the range capacity and battery
power of the mobile phone. The present invention provides a simple
and flexible way for the mobile phone to activate the redirect service.
While various embodiments of the present invention have been shown
and described, it should be understood that other modifications,
substitutions and alternatives are apparent to one of ordinary skill
in the art. Such modifications, substitutions and alternatives can
be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention,
which should be determined from the appended claims. |