US4723273A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Discretionary call forwarding
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
•
Filing: 1985-09-25
•
Granted: 1988-02-02
•
Expires: 2005-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A call forwarding method that allows the called party to selectively forward individual alerting calls based, for example, on the calling party identity or on how busy the called party is at any given time, but without requiring the called party to first answer the calls. The called party can effect the transfer even though engaged in conversation with someone else.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael E. Diesel
- 👤 Louis M. Taff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/54; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/04; H04Q11/0428; H04M3/436; H04M3/546; H04M2203/00; H04M2203/20; H04M2203/2011; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S379/00; Y10S379/909
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 86
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request, transmitted from said one station set to forward said call in response to a manual command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request, transmitted from said one station set to forward said call in response to a manual command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
83 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said one station set is connected to said switching arrangement by at least one voice channel and at least one signaling channel out of band with respect to said voice channel, wherein said message is transmitted to said one station set in said signaling channel and said message defines that said call is to be completed to said voice channel, and wherein said request is received from said one station set in said signaling channel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising after unsuccessfully attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set for a predetermined time, attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method in accordance with claim 4 further comprising receiving a request to pick up said call from said one station set, when said call has not yet been successfully completed to said determined terminating station set, responding to said request to pick up said call by stopping the attempt to complete said call to said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with claim 6 further comprising when said call has been successfully completed to said determined terminating station set, responding to said request to pick up said call by bridging said one station set onto said call.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receiving step is performed during the existence of another call to said one station set.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
89 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing group data defining groups of said station sets, and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the group data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read group data defines that said determined terminating station set is in the same group with said one station set.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing incoming call data for said station sets, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, reading the incoming call data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read incoming call data defines an incoming call for said one station set.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
85 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing data defining whether each of said station sets is assigned to SEND THIS CALL feature, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, reading the feature assignment data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read feature assignment data defines that said SEND THIS CALL feature is assigned to said one station set.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising after unsuccessfully attempting to complete said call to said another station set for a predetermined time, attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising transmitting calling party information to said one station set.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising transmitting forwarding party information to said another station set.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
69 words
A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising receiving a request to pick up said call from said one station set, when said call has not yet been successfully completed to said another station set, responding to said request to pick up said call by stopping the attempt to complete said cell to said another station set and attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising when said call has been successfully completed to said another station set, responding to said request to pick up said call by bridging said one station set onto said call.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
90 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a manual command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
90 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a manual command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said one station set is connected to said switching arrangement by at least one voice channel and at least one signaling channel out of band with respect to said voice channel, wherein said incoming call is to be completed to said voice channel and wherein said request is transmitted in said signaling channel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method in accordance with claim 20 wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with claim 22 further comprising after unsuccessfully attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set for a predetermined time, said switching arrangement again attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
80 words
A method in accordance with claim 22 further comprising said one station set transmitting to said switching arrangement a request to pick up said call, when said call has not yet been successfully compled to said determined terminating station set, said switching arrangement responding to said request to pick up said call by stopping the attempt to complete said call to said determined terminating station set and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method in accordance with claim 24 further comprising when said call has been successfully completed to said determined terminating station set, said switching arrangement responding to said request to pick up said call by bridging said one station set onto said call.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said transmitting step is performed during the existence of another call to said one station set.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
89 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing group data defining groups of said station sets, and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the group data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read group data defines that said determined terminating station set is in the same group with said one station set.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
75 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing incoming call data for said station sets, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, said switching arrangement reading the incoming call data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read incoming call data defines an incoming call for said one station set.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing data defining whether each of said station sets is assigned a SEND THIS CALL feature, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, said switching arrangement reading the feature assignment data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read feature assignment data defines that said SEND THIS CALL feature is assigned to said one station set.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising after unsuccessfully attempting to complete said call to said another station set for a predetermined time, said switching arrangement again attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said one station set comprises display means for visually displaying information, said method further comprising said switching arrangement transmitting calling party information to said one station set and said one station set visually displaying said calling party information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
46 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 wherein said another station set comprises display means for visually displaying information, said method further comprising said switching arrangement transmitting forwarding party information to said another station set and said another station set visually displaying said forwarding party information.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
79 words
A method in accordance with claim 19 further comprising said one station set transmitting to said switching arrangement a request to pick up said call, when said call has not been yet been successfully completed to said another station set, said switching arrangement responding to said request to pick up said call by stopping the attempt to complete said call to said another station set and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method in accordance with claim 35 further comprising when said call has been successfully completed to said another station set, said switching arrangement responding to said request to pick up said call by bridging said one station set onto said call.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
104 words
A call forwarding method for a communication station set having a signaling channel out-of-band with respect to a voice channel comprising receiving a message in said signaling channel defining an incoming call for said voice channel, said station set responding to said message by entering an alerting state, in response to a command at said station set, transmitting in said signaling channel a request to forward said call without said call being answered at said station set, said request including forward-to information, and obtaining a verification via said signaling channel that the forwarding of said call based on said forward-to information is in progress.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
104 words
A call forwarding method for a communication station set having a signaling channel out-of-band with respect to a voice channel comprising receiving a message in said signaling channel defining an incoming call for said voice channel, said station set responding to said message by entering an alerting state, in response to a command at said station set, transmitting in said signaling channel a request to forward said call without said call being answered at said station set, said request including forward-to information, and obtaining a verification via said signaling channel that the forwarding of said call based on said forward-to information is in progress.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method in accordance with claim 37 wherein said forward-to information comprises information dialed at said station set.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method in accordance with claim 37 further comprising after said obtaining step, transmitting in said signaling channel a request to pick up said call.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method in accordance with claim 39 further comprising when said call has not yet been successfully completed to another station set, receiving a message in said signaling channel to complete said call to said voice channel.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method in accordance with claim 39 further comprising when said call has been successfully completed to another station set, receiving a message in said signaling channel to bridge said voice channel onto said call.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
94 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, receiving instructions including second station set identity data in response to a manual command at said one station set without said call being answered at said one station set and enabling said switching arrangement in response to the received instructions including said second station set identity data, for establishing call connections to said second station set.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
94 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, receiving instructions including second station set identity data in response to a manual command at said one station set without said call being answered at said one station set and enabling said switching arrangement in response to the received instructions including said second station set identity data, for establishing call connections to said second station set.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
239 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said one station set is connected to said switching arrangement by at least one voice channel and at least one signaling channel out of band with respect to said voice channel, wherein said message is transmitted to said one station set in said signaling channel and said message defines that said call is to be completed to said voice channel, and wherein said request is received from said one station set in said signaling channel, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
239 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said one station set is connected to said switching arrangement by at least one voice channel and at least one signaling channel out of band with respect to said voice channel, wherein said message is transmitted to said one station set in said signaling channel and said message defines that said call is to be completed to said voice channel, and wherein said request is received from said one station set in said signaling channel, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 43 further comprising after successfully attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set for a predetermined time, attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method in accordance with claim 43 further comprising receiving a request to pick up said call from said one station set, when said call has not yet been successfully completed to said determined terminating station set, responding to said request to pick up said call by stopping the attempt to complete said call to said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with claim 45 further comprising when said call has been successfully completed to said determined terminating station set, responding to said request to pick up said call by bridging said one station set onto said call.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
108 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complee said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said receiving step is performed during the existence of another call to said one station set.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
108 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complee said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said receiving step is performed during the existence of another call to said one station set.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
163 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
163 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
173 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing group data defining groups of said station sets, and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the group data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read group data defines that said determined terminating station set is in the same group with said one station set.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
173 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing group data defining groups of said station sets, and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the group data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read group data defines that said determined terminating station set is in the same group with said one station set.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
156 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing incoming call data for said station sets, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, reading the incoming call data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read incoming call data defines an incoming call for said one station set.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
156 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing incoming call data for said station sets, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, reading the incoming call data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read incoming call data defines an incoming call for said one station set.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
169 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing data defining whether each of said station sets is assigned a SEND THIS CALL feature, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, reading the feature assignment data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read feature assignment data defines that said SEND THIS CALL feature is assigned to said one station set.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
169 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing data defining whether each of said station sets is assigned a SEND THIS CALL feature, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, reading the feature assignment data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read feature assignment data defines that said SEND THIS CALL feature is assigned to said one station set.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
117 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, after unsuccessfully attempting to complete said call to said another station set for a predetermined time, attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
117 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request transmitted from said one station set, to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, and attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, after unsuccessfully attempting to complete said call to said another station set for a predetermined time, attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
214 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said one station set is connected to said switching arrangement by at least one voice channel and at least one signaling channel out of band with respect to said voice channel, wherein said incoming call is to be completed to said voice channel and wherein said request is transmitted in said signaling channel, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
214 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said one station set is connected to said switching arrangement by at least one voice channel and at least one signaling channel out of band with respect to said voice channel, wherein said incoming call is to be completed to said voice channel and wherein said request is transmitted in said signaling channel, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method in accordance with claim 53 further comprising after unsuccessfully attempting to complete said call to said determining terminating station set for a predetermined time, said switching arrangement again attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
80 words
A method in accordance with claim 53 further comprising said one station set transmitting to said switching arrangement a request to pick up said call, when said call has not yet been successfully completed to said determined terminating station set, said switching arrangement responding to said request to pick up said call by stopping the attempt to complete said call to said determined terminating station set and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method in accordance with claim 55 further comprising when said call has been successfully completed to said determined terminating station set, said switching arrangement responding to said request to pick up said call by bridging said one station set onto said call.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
106 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said transmitting step is performed during the existence of another call to said one station set.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
106 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said transmitting step is performed during the existence of another call to said one station set.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
161 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
161 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing busy/idle data for said station sets and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises determining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the busy/idle data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read busy/idle data defines that said determined terminating station set is idle.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
171 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing group data defining groups of said station sets, and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises deermining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the group data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read group data defines that said determined terminating station set is in the same group with said one station set.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
171 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing group data defining groups of said station sets, and wherein said attempting to complete step comprises deermining a terminating station set in response to said forward-to information, reading the group data for said determined terminating station set and attempting to complete said call to said determined terminating station set only when said read group data defines that said determined terminating station set is in the same group with said one station set.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
157 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing incoming call data for said station sets, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, said switching arrangement reading the incoming call data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read incoming call data defines an incoming call for said one station set.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
157 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing incoming call data for said station sets, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, said switching arrangement reading the incoming call data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read incoming call data defines an incoming call for said one station set.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
170 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing data defining whether each of said station sets is assigned a SEND THIS CALL feature, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, said switching arrangement reading the feature assignment data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read feature assignment data defines that said SEND THIS CALL feature is assigned to said one station set.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
170 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, wherein said switching arrangement further comprises memory means for storing data defining whether each of said station sets is assigned a SEND THIS CALL feature, wherein said method further comprises before said attempting to complete step is performed, said switching arrangement reading the feature assignment data for said one station set, and wherein said attempting to complete step is performed only when said read feature assignment data defines that said SEND THIS CALL feature is assigned to said one station set.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
119 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, and after unsuccessfully attempting to complete said call to said another station set for a predetermined time, said switching arrangement again attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
119 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, and after unsuccessfully attempting to complete said call to said another station set for a predetermined time, said switching arrangement again attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
144 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, receiving a request to pick up said call from said one station set, when said call has not yet been successfully completed to said another station set, responding to said request to pick up said call by stopping the attempt to complete said call to said another station set and attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
144 words
A call forwarding method for use by a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising transmitting a message for an incoming call to one station set to place said one station set in an alerting state, without said call being answered at said one station set, receiving a request to forward said call in response to a command at said one station set, said request including forward-to information, attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, receiving a request to pick up said call from said one station set, when said call has not yet been successfully completed to said another station set, responding to said request to pick up said call by stopping the attempt to complete said call to said another station set and attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method in accordance with claim 63 further comprising when said call has been successfully completed to said another station set, responding to said request to pick up said call by bridging said one station set onto said call.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
158 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, said one station set transmitting to said switching arrangement a request to pick up said call, when said call has not been yet been successfully completed to said another station set, said switching arrangement responding to said request to pick up said call by stopping the attempt to complete said call to said another station set and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
158 words
A call forwarding method for use in a switching arrangement interconnecting a plurality of station sets comprising one station set, in response to an incoming call from said switching arrangement and to a command at said one station set while said one station set is in an alerting state, and without said call being answered, transmitting a request to said switching arrangement to forward said call, said request including forward-to information, said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to another station set based on said forward-to information, said one station set transmitting to said switching arrangement a request to pick up said call, when said call has not been yet been successfully completed to said another station set, said switching arrangement responding to said request to pick up said call by stopping the attempt to complete said call to said another station set and said switching arrangement attempting to complete said call to said one station set.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method in accordance with claim 65 further comprising when said call has been successfully completed to said another station set, said switching arrangement bridging said one station set onto said call.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-02-01 | 1991-08-03 | 1992-02-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-02-01 | 1995-08-03 | 1996-02-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-02-01 | 1999-08-03 | 2000-02-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |